By Taibat Ummi  Yakubu

More than a decade after the abduction of the Chibok schoolgirls shook the world, their story continues to inspire a global movement for justice, remembrance and hope.

Hollywood actress and humanitarian Angelina Jolie has added her voice to that call after attending the opening of “Statues Also Breathe,” a thought-provoking exhibition at the Museum of African Contemporary Art Al Maaden (MACAAL) in Marrakech, Morocco.

Jolie’s presence at the event has renewed international attention on the plight of the girls who remain missing, while reinforcing the message that the world has not forgotten them.

According to photos and posts shared by African Folder on social media, the award-winning actress joined a host of global figures at the exhibition's opening, helping to amplify demands for the safe return of the remaining girls and drawing fresh attention to one of Nigeria’s most painful chapters.

The event was made even more poignant by the attendance of Chibok survivors Rahab Ibrahim and Margaret Yama, as well as relatives of the abducted girls, who travelled to Marrakech to participate in the exhibition and share their stories with a global audience.

Originally unveiled in Lagos, the exhibition is currently on display in Marrakech and will remain open until the end of the year. Organisers say it is expected to continue touring internationally before eventually finding a permanent home in an African museum.

Created by acclaimed French artist Prune Nourry in partnership with Nigerian musician and activist Ade Bantu, “Statues Also Breathe” features 108 clay sculptures inspired by the iconic bronze heads of Ile-Ife, blending art, memory and activism into a powerful statement of resilience.

The project began after families of the Chibok girls entrusted photographs of their daughters to Nourry. Using those images, she created initial clay sculptures that were later cast by women potters using traditional Ile-Ife clay techniques, connecting the work to one of Africa’s most celebrated artistic traditions.

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Organisers say the exhibition serves as both a memorial and a living campaign, preserving the identities of the missing girls while ensuring their stories continue to resonate across generations and continents.

Beyond commemorating the victims, the exhibition seeks to elevate the voices of their families and sustain international conversations around justice, human rights and accountability.

Observers say Jolie’s visit has given the project a significant global boost, reminding the international community that the search for the remaining Chibok girls is far from over and that their families continue to hold onto hope.

The exhibition also shines a spotlight on Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage, drawing inspiration from the renowned Ife artistic tradition, widely regarded as one of the finest examples of classical African art.

Art and cultural experts note that the collaboration highlights the growing influence of Nigerian creativity on the world stage, demonstrating how art can cross borders and inspire meaningful dialogue on some of society’s most pressing issues.

They argue that projects such as “Statues Also Breathe” prove that creative expression remains a powerful tool for advocacy, capable of transforming personal grief into a universal call for compassion, justice and action.

The Chibok schoolgirls were abducted by Boko Haram insurgents on April 14, 2014, in an incident that sparked global outrage and gave rise to the internationally recognised #BringBackOurGirls campaign.

While many of the girls have since regained their freedom, several remain unaccounted for. For their families, every exhibition, every conversation and every renewed show of solidarity represents another step in keeping hope alive.

As visitors walk through the exhibition halls in Marrakech, the message remains unmistakable: the world may have moved on, but the memories of the Chibok girls endure and so does the determination to see every missing girl brought home.