On Saturday December 17, 2016, two of the escaped Chibok schoolgirls currently sponsored to school in the US by the Nigerian NGO, Education Must Continue Initiative (EMCI) were at the home of the United States President for a tour of the White House Christmas decorations.
According to Emmanuel Ogebe, the International Director, Education Must Continue Initiative, in a week that could almost be termed “Nigeria week at the White House”, the Chibok schoolgirls visit last weekend was preceded by that of prominent upcoming New York Times best-selling author and blogger Luvvie Ajayi just the day before.
This is the fourth in a series of White House visits for the Chibok girls in US facilitated by US Congresswoman Frederica Wilson of Florida in conjunction with Education Must Continue Initiative. Over half a dozen Chibok girls had visited the White House in Easter 2015 and 2016 but this the first Christmas visit.
In another curious coincidence, a Nigerian American schoolgirl was amongst the band of singers for the White House Christmas tree carols. Sixth grader, Gracina Ogebe who is part of the US host family of the Chibok girls was separately invited with her school to perform just days before her adoptive sisters were to visit the White House. It was indeed a week for Nigerians at the White House from the east, the south and the north.
One of the Chibok girls, a high school senior said after the visit “It was good!!! The house looks amazing. They’ve decorated the whole house and also there are groups of choirs singing songs.”
The high school senior and a college girl were sent to US to school by Education Must Continue Initiative, and NGO which is comprised of victims helping victims in northeast Nigeria. The two Chibok girls are the top academic performers of their set in the US.
