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| The parents in despair. Source: nigeria-mothers-story-top. |
So, it is pretty clear what a sick and twisted world
we are living in. I mean the things that happen in this day in age never ceases
to amaze me anymore.
We in South Africa hear and experience horrific
things but then when I heard on the news that on the night of 14-15 April 2014,
276 female students were kidnapped in Nigeria, I was stunned. How does such a
thing happen? Is it really that easy for a group of men to kidnap over 200
people? Now this was a shock, but the reason was even worse. The girls were kidnapped
by a terrorist group, Boko Haram, an Islamic and terrorist organisation because
“the Nigerian government was interfering with traditional Islamic education, ”www.independent.co.uk/news/world/africa/Nigeria
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| Michelle Obama Source: Bring-Back-Our-Girls-Michelle-Obama |
What I really do not get is why innocent school
girls must suffer for this. They are in no way involved in the dispute. Now
when this story was announced, the media was in a frenzy. Social media was in a
buzz. Now when such a big story breaks, journalists get to have a field day.
The story was reported internationally and so it managed to reach a lot of
people, thanks to the media, especially social media.
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| Alicia Keys on Instagram Source: Back-Our-Girls-Instagram-Alicia-Keys |
In this day in age, social media is really taking over. Yes, journalists reported on the story but then, social media was the number one source for many people out there. I myself checked Twitter and Facebook for updates on the story and I saw a picture by Michelle Obama on Facebook with the hashtag “Bring Back Our Girls." Now a lot of other celebrities by the likes of Alicia Keys also joined in the campaign. They all went by it through social media which shows exactly what a strong and powerful impact social media can have.
Social media plays a major role in people’s lives
today. Social media
has the power to make or break you or your organisation. The PR department of the government had a lot on their hands, now I could not imagine the pressure they were under. Now just put yourself in their shoes, how would you deal with this? Where would you start?
This was one story that spread like a wild fire, it was heart breaking and social media sure broke the silence for the mothers of the girls from Nigeria. No parent should have to go through such and the Nigerian government seems to be procrastinating forgetting that these are people's lives and not just some ordinary day to day decision that they'd have to discuss and take on action! As part of the PR department I would go to these girls parents and reassure them that they are not alone on this, we hear their cries and pushing that the government takes on action ASAP. We will then be sending out press releases and having press conferences that would be informing the public of our actions.
ReplyDeleteI like your ideas. But then it seems like the story has died down because you no longer hear about it in the news...while the girls are still missing. It is as if people have given up.
ReplyDeleteIndeed hey, it seems as if all has died out after all the hype that took place after the whole kidnapping of the girls, now that is what I call poor PR on their side.
DeleteVery poor. They should be doing campaigns but no, they have stopped making an awareness.
DeleteAlthough I strongly believe in the notion of extreme left-wing activism being practiced in democratic countries when people are fighting for a worthy or noble course, I am totally against the way that Boko Haram chose to voice their concern for the presence of western education in Nigeria.
ReplyDeleteTraumatic story indeed, I think their PR department did very well because even the so-called prominent people joined the campaign and the they were used as influencers.
ReplyDeleteIt was and still is a huge story. And the fact that it touched so many people means that their campaigns worked.
DeleteThis story touched me really deeply, I enjoyed your blog , I truly hope it will inspire others
ReplyDeleteThank you, I hope so too.
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