GORDON Brown will today launch a global appeal to help fund 5,000 safe schools across Nigeria, an initiative that could be extended to help other African countries threatened by terrorism.
Ahead of a Commons debate, the former Labour Prime Minister will launch the Nigerian Safe Schools Initiative alongside Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Nigeria's Finance Minister.
Some 10 weeks after 200 Nigerian girls were abducted from their schools by Boko Haram terrorists, Nigeria has been hit by a new crisis; millions of girls are not able to learn because their schools are closed for fear of more terrorist attacks.
"We must do everything in our power to prevent schools, which should be safe havens, becoming theatres of war," said Mr Brown, who is a United Nations Special Envoy for Global Education.
At a meeting chaired by John Bercow, the Commons Speaker, Ms Okonjo-Iweala will explain how efforts to locate and release the kidnapped girls are being stepped up.
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