Ten years after the tragic abduction that shocked the world, the mothers of Chibok continue to stand tall—not as symbols of loss, but as beacons of unwavering resilience.
At a recent screening of “Mothers of Chibok” at the iREP International Documentary Film Festival in Lagos, these remarkable women captivated the audience not with their sorrow, but with their strength. The event, held at Alliance Française in Ikoyi, transformed from a simple film screening into a powerful tribute to maternal courage.
Though they stood out in the crowd—their modest attire reflecting their northern Nigerian heritage—by the end of filmmaker Joel ‘Kachi Benson’s documentary, they had become the heart of the gathering. Attendees, including Minister of Industry, Trade, and Investment Jumoke Oduwole and Danish Consul General Jette Bjerrum, approached them not with pity but with genuine admiration.
The night of April 14, 2014, permanently altered the lives of Yana Galang, Ladi Lawan, Lydia Yama, and Maryam Maiyanga. What began as an ordinary day ended in the notorious Boko Haram raid on Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok, where their daughters were among those taken.
Benson’s documentary reveals the untold story behind the headlines—how these women refused to collapse under grief’s weight. Instead, they shouldered additional burdens, becoming family breadwinners through farming and other work while ensuring their remaining children received the education their missing daughters were denied.
Ladi Lawan, whose daughter Aisha remains missing, divides her days between teaching, weaving, farming, and raising her younger children. Despite earning just ₦10,000, she remains committed to education.
“My daughter was taken from school, but that doesn’t stop me from sending her siblings to school. Education gives them freedom,” Ladi explains, her voice steady despite her pain.
The emotional toll remains immense. “There are moments when you’re laughing, and then the reality hits—you remember your daughter is still missing, and the joy vanishes,” she shares. “Sometimes, you can’t sleep or eat.”
Yana Galang has emerged as a leader among the mothers. Her daughter Rifkatu is still missing, yet Yana often stands at the forefront when rescued girls return, hoping each time her daughter might be among them. Despite repeated disappointment, her resolve remains unshaken.
Maryam Maiyanga’s story differs—she was among the kidnapped students who later returned with a child. Now struggling with societal stigma, she fights to complete her education and provide for her son Ali, who carries his own silent burden from their ordeal.
For Lydia Yama, hope was rewarded when her sister returned in 2022 with two children. “I faced challenges—crying, sleepless nights, even starvation,” she recalls. “People said the girls were gone, but I never stopped believing my sister would return.”
The documentary emphasizes that the Chibok story isn’t finished. “People assume all the girls have been rescued,” Ladi points out, “but many families are still waiting.”
These women may never make headlines like celebrities, but their endurance forms an extraordinary testament to human resilience. Through farming, working, and maintaining faith, they demonstrate the remarkable power of a mother’s love—refusing to be defined by tragedy and instead choosing to forge ahead with unwavering hope.
“We want the world to see us as strong women,” Lydia says, “not just as victims.”
Source: This Day Live
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