The premiere of Mothers of Chibok at Imax Cinemas, Lekki, Lagos, on Saturday, February 28, drew a large crowd of distinguished Nigerians, eager to witness a film whose reputation had preceded it.
A Different Lens on a Global Tragedy
On April 14, 2014, the world watched in shock as Boko Haram abducted 276 schoolgirls, aged 16 to 18, from Chibok. The abduction triggered global outrage, condemnation, and awareness campaigns. Twelve years on, Mothers of Chibok allows audiences to see how those left behind—particularly the mothers—have coped, adapted, and thrived despite ongoing challenges.
The film follows four mothers through a farming cycle, showing their determination to provide for their families and ensure their children’s education. It highlights not just survival, but dignity, humor, and grace in the face of overwhelming adversity.
Inspiration Behind the Documentary
Benson, who has been working closely with the mothers since 2018, revealed the impetus behind the project:
“After spending such a long time with them, I realized there’s more to these women than grief and pain,” he said. “There’s beauty, humor, grace, and dignity. Their ability to wake up every day, committed to making a better life for their children, was profoundly inspiring. That inspired me to tell their story to the world.”
Benson, exuding youthful energy in jeans, a T-shirt, and dreadlocks, emphasized that the film was created to showcase the mothers’ resilience rather than exploit their tragedy.
The Film: Stories of Courage, Daily Life, and Hope
Mothers of Chibok captures everyday moments—women climbing hills to fetch water, enduring weather changes, carrying loads on their heads, or using ingenuity to farm their land. The film also depicts children like Ali, facing his first day at boarding school, learning that life continues even after trauma.
Multiple award-winning actress Joke Silva served as executive producer. Together with Benson, she stressed the importance of presenting the mothers not just as victims, but as women with dignity and courage.
“Tragedy happens, but what matters is seeing them move through it to the other side, living with strength and grace,” Silva said.
Premiere Night Highlights
The evening began with a “Meet and Taste Experience,” giving guests the opportunity to meet some of the Mothers of Chibok in person and sample their handcrafted groundnut creations.
The film screening followed, keeping the audience captivated. Applause punctuated key moments, highlighting both the cinematic mastery and the extraordinary courage depicted onscreen.
Panel Discussion and Fireside Chat
A lively discussion, moderated by former New York Times journalist Lola Ogunnaike, featured Benson, Silva, and the mothers themselves. Broadcast journalist Seyintan Atigarin introduced the session:
“We’re looking at strong women who have taken this pain and made it their strength. This evening shows that storytelling can catalyze social and economic change.”
Renowned filmmaker Femi Odugbemi praised the documentary for restoring humanity to a global news event, noting:
“It’s about women who refused to disappear into silence. Women whose grief became a form of protest, and whose hope became an act of defiance.”
Maryam Marshall, Senior Special Assistant to the President on Regional Development, added that the film captures “thick data”—the textured, lived experiences of resilience that statistics cannot convey.
L-R: Joke Silva, Kachi Benson, Lola Ogunnaike during the fireside chat
Joke Silva and Seyintan Atigarin
Kachi Benson and Joke Silva with the mothers of Chibok
Celebrating Strength on the Eve of Women’s Month
The premiere coincided with the eve of International Women’s Month. This year’s International Women’s Day theme, “Rights. Justice. Action. For All Women and Girls,” resonated with the film’s message.
The presence of the mothers, walking the stage with dignity and pride, was a standout moment. The audience rose in applause, celebrating not just the film, but the women themselves.
The Filmmaker’s Vision
When asked about the audience takeaway, Benson said:
“I hope people leave with admiration for these women, not pity. The film frames them through the lens of strength, hope, and resilience. We spent three years observing, learning, and understanding their lives before telling this story. It’s not just a film—it’s a testament to what they’ve built, not what was taken from them.”
Archiving History Through Film
Silva highlighted the power of Nigerian cinema in shaping national memory. “This film has archived the mothers’ story from their own perspective. It ensures that we will never forget them. Moments like a woman riding a bicycle across a potentially dangerous landscape remind us that these women are more than victims—they are farmers, leaders, and architects of their futures.”
A Night to Remember
The audience departed with a renewed understanding of Chibok—not only as a site of tragedy, but as a community defined by courage, perseverance, and hope. The gifts shared by the mothers and the stories captured in the film underscored one overarching truth: resilience, dignity, and determination can redefine the narrative of even the most harrowing events.