Hundreds Flocked to Rallies Across North America Calling for International Support to Bring Back Our Girls

WASHINGTON, July 9, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- Nigerians in Diaspora Organization in the Americas' (NIDOA) July 5, 2014 rallies drew out hundreds across major cities in North America—marking a tremendous success in the organization's efforts to promote awareness and push for international action surrounding Boko Haram's kidnapping of Nigeria's Chibok girls.  

The series of rallies, called #UnitedAgainstBokoHaram to #BringBackOurGirls, featured songs of solidarity and speeches condemning Boko Haram's atrocities. Mayors and city council members, including Carson, Calif. Mayor Hon. Jim Dear, were among those in attendance. The New York rally had in attendance the Nigerian Consul-General Ambassador Habu and Hon. Abike Dabiri, the chairman of the Nigerian House Committee on Diaspora Affairs. Mayoral Candidate Amara Enyia attended the rally in Chicago. Consul-General Ambassador Geoffrey Teneilabe addressed the media and highlighted the urgent need of addressing security in Nigeria. He boldly asked the international communities to join forces with the sovereign government of Nigeria in combating the terrorist activities of the criminal terrorist group.

"We are incredibly humbled by the overwhelming support and astounding turnout at the rallies," said Chief Gabe Okoye, the chairman of NIDOA. "Nigerians need the help of both the American people and the international community to counter the global threat Boko Haram poses. No matter where we are in the world, we will not quietly stand by. It's moments like this weekend's rallies that remind us we are not alone in the fight against Boko Haram and in our call to Bring Back Our Girls."

"The rallies highlighted that fighting together and joining as one in our call for international action is a good step toward stopping Boko Haram, and finding and releasing the more than 200 captive Chibok girls," said Dr. Sandra Dafiaghor, organizer of the rallies. Dr. Dafiaghor called on America and all NIDOA hosts countries to continue to provide the Nigerian Army with all the necessary logistics needed to combat terrorism by any means necessary. "We can only pray that the next time we come together, it's to rejoice the safe return of our Nigerian girls." 

NIDOA representatives joined alongside local activists and politicians for a day of unity and solidarity. The rallies were held at various times across 10 major cities, including New York, Washington, D.C., Chicago, Atlanta, Los Angeles, Dallas, Indianapolis, Greenville, S.C., Windsor, Ontario, and Belmopan, Belize.

The militant Islamist group Boko Haram abducted more than 200 girls in April 2014 and has since launched attacks across Nigeria, from a suicide bombing at a World Cup viewing site to terrorist bombings in northeastern Nigerian villages. The Nigerian government has actively pursued efforts, both at home and abroad, to release the girls and stop Boko Haram from terrorizing its citizens.

NIDOA chapters across the Americas are continuing to band together in calling the international community to action. To learn more about upcoming events, visit www.nidoamerica.org and http://www.nigeriansunited.com/. Information will also be posted on Twitter at @NigeriansUnited and on Facebook at Nidos Americas. To promote NIDOA's ongoing efforts on social media, use the hashtags: #UnitedAgainstBokoHaram and #BringBackOurGirls.

About NIDOA
Nigerians in Diaspora Organization in the Americas (NIDOA) instills ethical consciousness, and civic responsibility to enhance the socio-economic advancement of Nigerians and humanity. Established in 2000, the D.C.-based, non-profit promotes social advocacy, education, healthcare, technological and economic empowerment, as well as skills and cultural exchange projects. NIDOA is recognized by the Nigerian government as the umbrella organization for all Nigerians in the Americas and Caribbean. To learn more, visit http://www.nidoamerica.org/.

SOURCE Nigerians in Diaspora Organization