2015-02-24 10:05
Tokyo - A Nigerian woman who has campaigned against Islamist
extremists Boko Haram was on Tuesday awarded a Japanese peace prize
worth $170 000 (about N3 409 350).
Esther Ibanga, a pastor and
activist in Nigeria, has kept up a vocal protest against the kidnappings
that Boko Haram has made almost routine, the Niwano Peace Foundation
said.
The foundation said it had awarded her its 20 million yen
annual prize because of the way she has tirelessly pressured central and
local governing officials in her efforts to fight back against
extremists.
"Esther
has worked extensively to foster and facilitate reconciliation between
conflicting religious and tribal groups," setting up an organisation
that has all tribal women leaders on its membership, the Buddhist
group-backed foundation said.
Boko Haram fighters have kidnapped hundreds of schoolgirls, causing global outrage and a social media campaign to release them.
Over 13 000 have been killed while more than one million people have been left homeless since 2009.
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