By Alltimepost.com
[dropcap]N[/dropcap]igerian Civil Society Organization (CSO) has declared May 28, 2018 a day of national mourning and remembrance for lives lost to violence across the country.CSO is acting on the resolutions it reached at a meeting on the crisis situation in the Benue Valley two weeks ago, inviting all Nigerians to observe a minute of silence at noon on May 28th. Radio and TV stations will be encouraged to support this action and advocate for their audiences to do the same.
In a joint letter signed and circulated at the weekend by human rights activists, Abiodun Baiyewu and Dr. Chidi Odinkalu on behalf of the Convening Committee, CSO gave details of the movement to observe a National Day of Mourning and Remembrance and solicited the partnership and leadership participation of all comrades across the nation in the series of symbolic actions to commemorate the day.
The letter further said:
The National Day of Mourning and Remembrance will be marked by the series of symbolic actions listed below:
Mourning at Unity Fountain, Abuja: As a sign of our collective mourning, that we perform mourning ceremonies at Unity Fountain between 7am – 7pm on May 28th, 2018
Humanitarian convoy: A humanitarian convoy will take off from Unity Fountain in Abuja to Makurdi, Benue State, the current epicenter of the crises, as a sign of our collective solidarity with the individuals and communities caught up in the various crises.
Flying flags at half –mast: We invite all corporate entities, and the government to fly their flags at half-mast for the entire day.
Call Their Name ceremonies: On the morning of the National Day of Remembrance, citizens across each crisis impacted state will gather before their government house, or capital city center square to call out the names of persons who had died in the conflicts to respect them as persons and not just numbers.
Observation of Silence: We invite all Nigerians to observe a minute of silence at noon on May 28th. Radio and TV stations will be encouraged to support this action and advocate for their audiences to do the same.
Solemn Assemblies: We call on groups, markets and institutions, including schools, to hold solemn assemblies at about 11:45 am on May 28, to observe a minute silence at noon.
“In preparation for the National Day of Mourning, we will be hosting a press conference on Monday May 21, 2018 at Rockview Hotel, Wuse II, Abuja, at 11am. We very much appreciate your active participation at this information event. Please let us know you will be attending.”
“Given your undisputed devotion to our great nation, we consider you and your organization to be critical stakeholders and call upon you to take a leadership role in realizing the National Day of Mourning and Remembrance.”
In the letter the following was provided for more information, answer questions, and to receive citizens’ suggestions and confirmation of their partnership: contact@nigeriamourns.orgcontact@globalrights.org
or 0814-917-1224 or arrange to meet in person.
