Date: 2018-03-08

As Nigeria joins the rest of the world to celebrate International Women Day, a Non Governmental Organisation, Grassroots Aid Initiative (GAI) has urged President Muhammadu Buhari led Federal Government to strengthen the nation's security architecture for immediate release of the abducted Dapchi schoolgirls in Yobe State.

The girls were seized by members of the dreaded Boko Haram sect fortnight ago at Government Girls Technical College in Dapchi town.

A statement issued by the Executive Director of the GAI, Dr. Kehinde Khadijat Kadiri, and made available to Journalists in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, condemned the abduction of the one hundred and ten innocent girls, urging the security agencies to return to the drawing board and design modern way to contain the atmosphere of insecurity.

The NGO also underscored the need for the nation's security apparatus to fortify all schools to ensuring adequate protection of lives and property.

The statement frowned at the rising wave of insecurity in the country, saying that despite the military's claim that Boko Haram had been technically degraded, violent attack on innocent lives has continued unabated.

It condemned the killings in Benue, Zamfara, Taraba and other states, stressing the need for the federal government to be up ante in providing adequate security for the country.

The statement also charged governments at all levels to tackle different challenges confronting womenfolk, especially domestic violence, unemployment and poor representation of women in the political circle.

The Grassroots Aid Initiative appealed to state Governors to empower more women and appoint them into various political offices, saying that there are qualified women doing well in their professions.

The statement reads " As the world is celebrating International Women Day, Grassroots Aid Initiative wants to appeal to the Federal government to ensure quick release of the Dapchi schoolgirls who are currently under the captivity of the terrorists.

"The security situation in the country is saddening; our lives are no more secured. Young and vibrant ladies and men are leaving the country in droves for greener pastures and many have died in Liberia in an attempt to travel out of the country. Women are subjected to poverty and unemployment. These are the issues our government must tackle headlong.

"Our government must make our economy work, people must be gainfully employed and there must be security of lives and property. We want more women in the political representation and our Governors should appoint more women into political positions. They should be given due recognition like their male counterparts ", the statement said.

Dr. Kehinde Khadijat Kadiri Executive Director, Grassroots Aid Initiative, a lecturer in the Department of Mass Communication, University of Ilorin. 08057562418