Edo-Born Osemwegie Mobilises African, American NGOs To Campaign Against Religious Intolerance, Insecurity In Nigeria US

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Edo-born diaspora leader Stephen Osemwegie, founder of the Save Nigeria Group USA, last week mobilised African and American NGOs for a series of Washington, D.C. events, including a rally to address issues of religious extremism and insecurity currently overwhelming Nigeria and a Faith Heroes Award Gala.

The Save Nigeria Rally and the inaugural Faith Heroes Award Gala are aimed at drawing international attention to terrorism and religious persecution in Nigeria.

The high-profile gatherings brought together international advocates, U.S. lawmakers, and prominent Nigerian religious leaders to urge global action against insecurity.

The Campaign, convened under the US-Nigeria Civil Society Coalition, advocates engaged with U.S. policymakers, including a strategic meeting between Osemwegie and U.S. Congressman Riley Moore, to press for sustained international protection of vulnerable communities in Nigeria.

The two-in-one event, in which the Save Nigeria People’s Initiative (SANPI), a Nigerian home-based group, was conducted by Comrade Tony Erha, played an active role, also highlighted the need for increased humanitarian support for displaced persons across West Africa.

The first day of the ‘Save Nigeria’ rally was largely attended by civil society groups and activists, politicians, churches, Christian clergies and other public-spirited individuals, to offer their bipartisan support to end the high spate of insurgency, mass killings, and religious persecution, etc., that have besieged the Nigerian populace.

The award ceremony also witnessed the entertainment of awardees from the different groups that had contributed immensely to the relentless fight against mass killings and terrorism in Nigeria, to which the US Government had declared the country as “Country of Particular Concern (CPC)”, and dispute of the attacks constituting “Christian genocide”

Mr Donald Trump, incumbent president of the United States, got the most prestigious award, titled “2026 Faith Defender Award”, whilst the US Secretary of State, Mr Marco Rubio, got “2026 Religious Freedom Champion”, and Congressman Mr Riley More (WV-02) received “2026 Religious Freedom Advocate”.

Other US recipients include Congressman Christopher Smith of New Jersey and the late Rep. Sheila Johnson Lee of Texas.

Pastor Enoch A. Adeboye, General Overseer of RCCG Worldwide, led the Nigerian awardees to receive “The Patriarch of Faith Honour”.

Other dignified awardees were Bishop David Oyedepo, “The Patriarch of Faith Honor; Prophet Isa El-Buba, General Overseer, EBOMI, got “2026 Pillar of Faith and Courage”; Rev. Ezekiel Dachomo, “2026 Courageous Hero of Faith”; Miss Leah Sharibu, “Global Icon of Christian Courage Award”; and Pastor Laolu Akande, “2026 Voice of Truth”.

There was also “The Guardian of Peace and Sacrifice Award” for the Nigerian Armed Forces, which was received by a representative, on behalf of the Defence Minister, Gen Christopher Musa (rtd).

In the award event, which featured Justin Smith, a multi-talented and famous US musician, the speakers commended Mr Osemwegie for a job well done for championing the cause of persecuted Nigerian Christians and others, whilst Pastor Adeboye laid his hands on him in prayers.