By Ishaya Ibrahim, News Editor
The former social media aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, Reno Omokri, has continued to mobilise awareness for the plight of Leah Sharibu, the Christian girl held by Boko Haram because she refused to renounce her faith.
Sharibu, a student of Government Girls Secondary School, Dapchi, in Yobe State, was abducted along with 109 of her colleagues. The others were released within weeks of their abduction, but she was left behind. Her colleagues say her abductors left Leah behind because of her refusal to take the shahada (the Islamic recitation ritual of conversion).
High profile Nigerians and other world figures have joined Omokri to put pressure on the government to secure the release of the lone girl.
Omokri said: “It’s been three years since Leah Sharibu was abducted on February 19, 2018. And I’ve gone around the world, 25 countries to be exact, meeting world leaders and appealing for her release,” he said.
“ That’s me,” pointing at a portrait on the wall “with Boris Johnson, and that’s me with Theresa May. With Boris Johnson, we launched the Free Leah Sharibu T.Shirt to raise awareness for Leah’s freedom,” he said while urging everybody who wants Leah’s release to use the social media and post #FreeLeahSharibu.
For the Catholic Archbishop of Sokoto Diocese, Bishop Kukah, he said: “It’s been three good years now since our beloved daughter Leah Sharibu was abducted. Then as now, we still demand, and we pray for her safe return,” he said.
Former governor of Cross River State, Donald Duke, also said: “It’s been three years since the notorious terrorist gang known as Boko Haram seized 110 young girls. Five died during the ordeal. The rest were released, except for Leah Sharibu who is purportedly being held for not renouncing her religious faith. It is bad enough that these hoodlums operated with a similar motive in 2014. Worse is the repeated impunity of their actions and growing helplessness of Leah’s fate and seeming nonchalant of the Nigerian authorities. What message are we sending to our children and the world at large? That we are a nation of anything goes? I add my voice. If we don’t think that our children deserve this fate, then Leah certainly does not. Let us all rise up and remind our government that they swear a solemn oath to protect lives and property as enshrined in the constitution. We expect no less from them, then and today,” he said.
The former governor of Anambra State, and vice-presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 election, Peter Obi, said would be released by God’s grace.
“Leah I’m thinking about you. I’m praying for you, and by the grace of God, with the prayers of all the good people, you will be free one day,” he said.
The senator representing Borno South, Senator Ali Ndume, also added his voice for her release.
He said: “I’m a Muslim, but I join my friend Reno Omokri in praying for your freedom.”
Others who also called for Leah’s release include; former Senator Ben Murray Bruce, Ovation Magazine publisher Dele Momodu, football star, Odion Ighalo, and a music legend, Howard Hewitt who is the lead singer of Shalamar and music sensation, Onyeka Onwenu.