Sign in. It’s quick, free and it’s up to you.
An account is an optional way to support the work we do. Find out more.
TODAY MARKS THE 100th day since more than 200 schoolgirls were kidnapped in Nigeria – and there is no indication yet of when or if they will be returned by Boko Haram.
Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan met with the parents of the girls – and some of those who escaped for the very first time today.
So, what has been happening over the past three months?
On 14 April, 276 girls were abducted from the Chibok region of the country. The case attracted worldwide attention and an international relief effort.
Some of the girls managed to escape but there are still 219 in captivity.
The youngest victim is 12 and the oldest 17 years old. On the fateful day, members of the terrorist group entered the boarding school, rounded up the students from their dormitories and forced them onto trucks which were driven into the dense bush.
The following month, on 5 May, Boko Haram leader Abubakar Shekau released a video taking responsibility for the abduction. He said that he would sell the girls as slaves or child brides.
A social media campaign with a hashtag #BringBackOurGirls was started with Michelle Obama joining on 7 May.
The diplomatic reaction continued through the month, with comments from Amnesty International and condemnations from the UN Security Council.
Britain, France and the US, as well as China and Israel, help in the search. The US says it is using drones as part of the surveillance.
On 12 May, another Boko Haram video is released. This time, the group claims the girls have been converted to Islam and will not be released until a number of militant prisoners are freed.
Cameroon President Paul Biya issued a declaration of war on Boko Haram on 17 May following a meeting in Paris between his country, Nigeria, Benin, Chad and Niger.
However, the parents of the girls have still had little or no contact with authorities.
On 7 June, local residents say that another 20 young mothers have been abducted.
During a World Cup game on 18 June, 21 people perished in a Boko Haram bomb attack at a viewing centre.
The following week, another wave of violence as 68 girls and women abducted on 24 June and 21 killed in a shopping centre explosion the next day.
July has brought much silence for the victims and families until last week when Goodluck Jonathan said he would meet the relatives of the hostages. He extended the invite after coming under pressure from activist Malala Yousafzai.
However, the families rejected the offer because it was not extended to all relatives.
The talks were eventually held today in Abuja with the girls who escaped also in attendance.
“It was a very peaceful and loving meeting. No arguments,” said Ayuba Chibok, who has nieces among the hostages.
Jonathan “said he would use every capability for the girls to come back… For me, I want to wait to see if there is improvement,” Chibok added. “I want to see action.”
According to one AFP reporter, the meeting was emotionally charged with some bursting into tears when they entered the room.
Additional reporting by AFP
To embed this post, copy the code below on your site
Anything RTE touch will turn to shit. What are the bets Twink will be hosting it or Marty Whelan.
Brain Ormand, Derek Mooney,you see this sharp knife here….
It’s not “Blind Date” there are no hosts on this show…
And what bets it will fold by series 3.
I hope it’s the same production company behind it, rather than some crappy Irish version.
Cue a bunch of attention seeking wannabe’s who will degrade themselves as much as possible to gain Z list celebrity status.. Just like that waste of Tv space “Tallaghtfornia”
Dude have you seen the show?
Sit down and be quiet there like a good lad til you have.
You’ve no idea what you’re talking about
^^^^^ Tallaghfornia fan above!
Pity tv3 are not doing it, they turned take me out into a comedy show
There were some wagons on that TV3 one….the show where foreplay is an exchange of insults
the ch 4 show has a “maitre d”, who talks about love and looking for love at the beginning of the show, so they’ll be looking for someone to do something like the ch 4 host, I’d say Brian Dowling
He’d be a good fit I’d said, but I bet you a bag of chips, it’ll be Dáithí Ó Sé or some other such person.:P
once its not that fecking Miriam o Callaghan and her 16 children, yawn yawn yawn, same old, same old…
Anyone that goes on this show is in all probability a giant bell end
how do I apply
Probably be set in Coppers.. Couple of bags of chips after from Harry Ramsdens.
I’d actually give this a shot. I’ve seen the channel 4 version and the folks on there come across as being fairly decent and down to earth. Granted, you could very well get a few bell ends on there, but you get that wherever you go in life. Many people, from what I can tell at least, want to go out for the date and see what happens.
You can practically get next day sex on tinder,will this app beat that?
not for you, leon – keep practicing on tinder m8…
Next day? You’re doing tinder wrong.
More bollocks!
First dates are in restaurants now? How awkward and cringey. Does no-one go to the pub, get locked together, then go back to hers for a bit of slap and tickle? The Irish have turned into some shower of saddo wannabes.
have your say