The ads are simple, harmless but very daring considering the notoriety of the group which goes by similar name bearing in mind the havoc it has wrecked especially on school children in a section of the country.
No wonder, despite the agency’s (Noah’s Ark) good intention to champion an advocacy campaign to encourage and drive the right of the Nigerian child to education, the agency’s well conceived and executed ads were practically rejected by newspaper houses specifically Punch and Guardian.
Hey, don’t blame them! Their grouse with the ad materials could be understandable; the respected media houses obviously want to avoid anything that has to do with “Boko…”, this might not be unconnected with the experiences of the past. However, thank goodness, Thisday took the risk and the ad was finally published today (see page 18), though not until the material has earned the appellation of “the Most rejected ad”
With this singular act by Thisday, the jinx was broken and Boko Halal, the young book worm cartoon character, made its maiden inroad into the consciousness of Nigerians today with a full page advert. The material is a clarion on all citizens to stand up for the Nigerian child’s right to education, especially in Northern Nigeria.
According to a statement by the sponsors, Noah’s Ark, Boko Halal metaphorically describes Nigeria as an indivisible book adding that the world is waiting to read our success stories hence every citizen should play his/her part.
“As we open the page 100 of the history of our great country, today is the day to ensure that no Nigerian child is left behind. From Zungeru to Enugu to Abeokuta to Abakaliki, this is the time to send out a new message. This is the time to let our children know that the book, or Boko, or whichever name it goes by, and whatever language it is written in (Arabic, Chinese or English) it is the only way to that great future we all like to talk about.”
As against the Boko Haram’s insurgency, Boko Halal enjoins Nigerian to pick up the book as the most potent weapon for driving social change. “It is time we rewrite the current story and evolve a sustainable culture where every child has an opportunity to be the best they could be. This is when the world can truly look up to us as the giant that we so much love and claim to be”
Boko Halal is a collective of young book worms driven by the burning desire to fight ignorance with a strong reading culture. The leader of Boko Halal is a colorful book worm mascot reading a book. Book loving Nigerians are enjoined to join the Boko Halal movement by following it on twitter, facebook and other social media outlet.
Boko Halal needs you to help fight for the right of the Nigerian child to education. Please don’t keep the future waiting join us: 08093960259, twitter: bokohalalng facebook:bokohalalnigeria.
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