BringBackOurGirls Statement in solidarity with H.H. Muhammad Sanusi II

#BringBackOurGirls

Unity Fountain, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja
NIGERIA

www.bringbackourgirls.ng | info@bringbackourgirls.ng

The #BringBackOurGirls
Movement has received with sadness the news of the dethronement of H.H.
Muhammad Sanusi II, CON as the Emir of Kano.

As a staunch advocate of
girl child education in Nigeria and particularly in the northern part of the
country, this development marks a major shift in the fight that H.H. has so
valiantly and consistently fought.

We are however not
dismayed, being reminded of the words of H.H. in his speech (delivered by Shahida
Sanusi, his representative) titled: “CHIBOK AND THE MIRROR IN OUR FACES: SOME
REFLECTIONS ON GENDER IN OUR SOCIETY,” at the 1st Annual Chibok Girls lecture
in 2017 where in defiance to the status quo, he made the following remarks:

“anyone who challenges
a system or fights for the voiceless must be ready for a serious backlash.
Character assassination, slander, blackmail and intimidation are the normal
tools employed by those who defend and profit from the status quo.”

“The poor people for whom
you fight are voiceless by necessity. Those of us who are fortunate to be part
of the elite and who choose not to speak for them are voiceless by choice. We
want to protect ourselves and our loved ones from the pain of being insulted
and abused on social media. We want to hold on to the small comforts of our
status. We want access to power and to be seen as friends of those in power and
members of our inner-circle. We are afraid of being destroyed by ruthless state
machinery. We have a morbid fear of being isolated, of not belonging to an
exclusive club close to power.”

“The reality is that
everything in this world is fragile. Life itself will come to an end and we
lose money and position and loved ones all the time. The only thing we have
control over is who we are, what we stand for, what we represent. Being a
coward or a sycophant will not add one day to your life or one day to the term
of any of the things you hold dear. The worst silence is that which happens in
the face of injustice.”

We extol the virtues of
courage, consistency and dignity of H.H. and are rest assured in his continued
defiance that justice will no longer be denied the poor and voiceless in our
country. As a movement, we remain resolute in his charge to us and to all
well-meaning people of conscience that: “Do not be intimidated. Do not be
silenced. Do not betray your conscience or sell your soul. Do not fear any
human being. Stand up and take all the bullets that are fired at you but never
kneel down. If you have to die, please die standing and not on your knees. Most
important, ignore the noise. Do not defend yourself too much against personal
attacks because they want your person, not the issues you raise, to be
discussed. I know it is tough, I go through this every day, but I have learnt
that after all the insults and blackmail the issues remain and will not
disappear until they are addressed. That is your task, put these issues on the
table and do not walk away until they are resolved.”

Long live H.H. Muhammad Sanusi II, CON

Signed: For and on behalf of #BringBackOurGirls

Florence Ozor

Gapani Yanga

Nifemi Onifade

Aisha Yesufu

Oby Ezekwesili

Mojúbàolú Olufúnké Okome

Abiola Akiyode-Afolabi

Aisha Oyebode

Ayo Obe

Babasola Olalere