A Nigerian schoolgirl terror survivor, Zion Umar, is making history in the United States of America with a double master’s degree, as Christian heroine hostage, Leah Sharibu, turns 18.
Ironically, Sharibu, who was abducted by Boko Haram/ISWAP in February 2018, is attaining the legal age of adulthood under Nigerian law in captivity.
This will be her fourth birthday as a hostage since she was taken at age 14.
However, Umar, who survived Boko Haram’s terrorism and is now in the US, is graduating the day after Leah’s birthday in captivity with a Master’s degree.
Umar arrived America five years ago.
She started from high school, quickly transitioned to community college, graduated and enrolled in a postgraduate institution.
She will be graduating in Los Angeles, California on May 15, 2021 with her Master’s in Business Administration, one of the most prized postgraduate degrees in the US, and a Master’s.
International Human Rights lawyer, Emmanuel Ogebe, who sponsored Zion Faye, like his adoptive daughter, rode on a motorbike for two hours in the rain to catch his flight back to America to attend her graduation due to bad traffic jam in Nairobi, Kenya.
Ogebe said: “I arrived at Jomo Kenyatta Airport completely drenched but mercifully I didn’t miss my flight.
“I had to leave colleagues behind as I couldn’t miss this crowning achievement of this beloved young woman who embodies the talent, resilience, hard work and true grit Nigerians are renowned for.
“I can say I was probably the only passenger who went to such extreme length to board that flight.
“I flew eight hours to Amsterdam, eight hours to Washington, then six hours to Los Angeles.
“Zion is totally worth my traveling over 11 time zones in 48 hours.
“I want to invite all Nigerians and all well-meaning people to attend the graduation virtually by going to the links online.
“Her father, who was killed in the deadly attack eight years ago today, which she survived, will be watching from heaven and those of us on earth should be there for her too.
“We cannot bring Leah back, but we can stand with the other Leahs of the genocide.
“We can’t war with arms, but we can arm with education and war with self-improvement.
“Leah is still alive.
“Ironically, while Zion earned double Master’s degrees, Leah reportedly delivered two bouncing baby boys.
“God will intervene on her behalf where the government has failed.”
The Master’s graduation ceremony for Zion Umar can be viewed at the following links: https://youtu.be/nXZp0vQZOno or https://www.facebook.com/events/503031784153640/permalink/503031790820306/Saturday May 15, 2021 (6pm Nigeria, 1pm Washington and 10am California time).
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