The plight of more than 200 Nigerian schoolgirls who were kidnapped by the militant group Boko Haram has caused a tide of sympathy and alarm to sweep around the world, with millions joining the call to help.
The latest sign of how this tragedy has sparked global concern: a group of over 40 eminent individuals and business figures from around the world are calling for a global effort to free the girls.
Bono, ONE co-founder, and Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Nigeria’s Finance Minister and a ONE board member, are amongst the signatories alongside Desmond Tutu, Bill and Melinda Gates, Aliko Dangote, Rupert Murdoch, Mo Ibrahim, Ted Turner and François-Henri Pinault.
In an open letter published today, the high level group calls on the Nigerian authorities and international community to mobilise all necessary resources and expertise to help locate and free the missing girls.
The letter says:
‘We urge all local, national and regional governments, with the full support of the international community, to dedicate their expertise and resources – from satellite imagery to intelligence services to multinational corporations’ supply chains – to #BringBackOurGirls.”’
The open letter has been coordinated by The B Team, Femmes Africa Solidarité, Mo Ibrahim Foundation, ONE, UN Foundation and Walk Free Foundation.