Hotweb.waphall.com Hotweb.waphall.com It’s a story we see every day as girls around the world risk their lives to pursue their ambitions,” she said.
She cited the Pakistani schoolgirl and campaigner Malala Yousafzai,who was shot and wounded by the Taliban for speaking out for girls’ education.
“The courage and hope embodied by Malala and girls like her around the world should serve as a call to action,” Mrs Obama said.
It is unusual for a US first lady to make outspoken foreign policy remarks, but Mrs Obama has campaigned for the girls’ release.
Michelle Obama has often appeared alongside her husband during the weekly address, which is broadcast on radio with a video version available online. This is the first time she has delivered the speech alone.
Earlier last week, she tweeted a picture of herself in the White House holding a sign with the message “#BringBackOurGirls”.
UNSC moves against Boko Haram
In a related development, UN Security Council expressed outrage over the Chibok abduction, saying it would consider “appropriate measures” against Boko Haram. The US is seeking to have UN sanctions imposed on the group.
A small number of US and British experts arrived in Nigeria, on Friday, to assist on rescue efforts.
A senior US official said Washington was also considering a Nigerian request for surveillance aircraft.
British High Commissioner Andrew Pocock said drones could help gather intelligence but urged caution.
He told the BBC’s Today programme: “The eye in the sky, even if it were able to be focused on the spot, isn’t a panacea.”
Traditional hunters armed with bows and arrows and old-fashioned shotguns were, yesterday, said to be ready to enter the forest where the girls are thought to be held.
Locals said 400 to 500 men had gathered but their departure was not imminent – they still hoped the army will step up its efforts.
An Amnesty International report had, on Friday, alleged that after Nigerian commanders were informed of the pending attack by Boko Haram to kidnap the Chibok girls, they were unable to raise enough troops to respond.
The commanders left a contingent of between 15 and 17 soldiers and a handful of police officers in Chibok to fend off the militants, the group reported.
“When it was clear these girls had been abducted, no reinforcements were sent to the town,” Makmid Kamara, a researcher with Amnesty International, said.
The report was based on the reports of more than a dozen people, including two senior Nigerian military officials, who gave varying, but consistent accounts, Kamara said.
But Nigeria’s defense ministry disputed the findings, saying the first word received was of an ongoing attack at Chibok.
The troops “did not receive four hours forewarning about the attacks,” according to a statement released by Maj. Gen. Chris Olukolade, a ministry spokesman. “Rather, they received information of an ongoing attack on Chibok from troops on patrol” who saw the attack and took on the militants.
Borno State Sen. Ahmed Zannah said the military sent reinforcements, but not until the militants were already in Chibok.
‘Don’t negotiate’
In the meantime, a group, United Alliance, yesterday, warned President Jonathan against negotiating with Boko Haram. The group said “any attempt to do this would mean legitimizing the sect’s actions and will box the government into a dangerous corner”.
In a statement by its northern co-ordinator, Mallam Bashir Ado, the group said those canvassing the position to negotiate with the sect are enemies of the country.
“We are closely monitoring developments in our dear country especially as it affects the activities of the terrorist group, Boko Haram and the position of some people that President Jonathan should negotiate with the terrorists,” the group said.
“Our position on this is clear and we strongly advise Mr President not to allow himself to be persuaded into taking such a panicky measure as the activities of this sect shall soon come to an end especially with assistance of the entire world.
“The apostles of the position are the enemies of Nigeria who ordinarily would not see anything wrong with negotiating with criminals”.
Insisting that the abducted Chibok girls must be released unconditionally, the group said masters of the terrorist group could not find their voice until recently when it became obvious that the game was up for them with the offer of assistance by the nation’s foreign friends,” United Alliance .
“ The masters of these criminals kept mum and have been giving surport to their activities but suddenly found the voice to speak out because Americans are coming to unveil them.
“It’s too much of a coincidence that former head of State, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) whom the sect had earlier mentioned to mediate with the government on its behalf is speaking against the group and its actions now that it is almost evident that the Americans are poised to unearth some hidden things about the group and its sponsors”.