Pakistani rights and girl-child education activist, Malala Yousafzai, who survived an assassination attempt by the Taliban, was in Nigeria on Saturday, July 12, 2014 to celebrate her 17th birthday, an occasion which she used to call on Boko Haram to release the abducted Chibok girls.
Malala, who would be in Nigeria till Monday, July 14, was hosted at
Transcorp Hilton hotel, Abuja.
Malala was accompanied to the dinner by her father, Ziauddin Yousafzai and
members of Malala Fund, including Shiza Shahid, the 25-year old founder of the
organisation.
Speaking exclusively to NAN, she said: “On my 17th birthday my wish is to
see every child go to school and I want to see my Nigerian sisters being
released from their abduction and I want them to be free to go to school and
continue their education,”
During her three-day visit to Nigeria, the 17-year old Pakistani girl is
scheduled to meet President Jonathan and other top government officials.
She would also mark Malala Day on July 14, in Abuja to campaign for free and
compulsory education for every child around the world.
She indicated interest in speaking with the abducted girls who were able to
escape.
“I also hope to listen to those girls who were abducted and later ran away
from their abductors and it would be really nice to listen to the parents of
the girls. They are the ones who can really tell us what their daughters are
suffering and what they are suffering too,’’ she said.
A 32-man guest list at the event included members of civil society
organisations and representatives of international organisations in Nigeria
such as USAID, DFID, British Council and DFID.
The Managing Director of NAN, Ima Niboro, presented a birthday card and
flowers to Malala on behalf of President Goodluck Jonathan.
“Thank you Malala for coming to Nigeria, Mr President personally signed this
card, he shares your vision, your dreams and your ambitions and he is happy
that you are here,” Niboro told Malala.
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