Nigerian pastor shares his story of giving a voice to the voiceless and survival in Nigerian conflict zone
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The Church of Scientology National Affairs Office in Washington, DC, held an inspiring roundtable hosting Father Stephen Omeiza Ojapah from Northern Nigeria who shared his personal story of violent confrontations.
A long-time champion of human rights, including the right to freedom of religion, the Church of Scientology hosted the event to showcase this author and his story of resilience.
Giving voice to those who have no voice, and no access to the outside world, Father Ojapah, a priest, author, and survivor, has dedicated his life to faith, resilience, and bringing atrocities to light. Father Ojapah, during his roundtable presentation, shared details of his book, Tears and Torture, and his impactful community work and role as a mediator in interfaith dialogues.
Government and civil society reports of great instability in Nigeria have been the subject of US State Department reports. In its 2022 report on international religious freedom, the State Department reported, “Civil society organizations and media stated that general insecurity was prevalent throughout the country, particularly in the North West region. There continued to be frequent violent incidents, particularly in the northern part of the country, affecting both Muslims and Christians, resulting in numerous deaths.”
According to Article 18 of the UN Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which is the accepted standard for human rights internationally, “Everyone has the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion; this right includes freedom to change his religion or belief, and freedom either alone or in community with others and in public or private, to manifest his religion or belief in teaching, practice, worship and observance.”
Rev. Susan Taylor of the Church of Scientology National Affairs Office, and host of the roundtable, noted, “I was moved by his personal story and his dedication to supporting his followers– both Christian and Muslim – as he offered hope and insight into the resilience of the human spirit. While he resides in the UK at present, his story is being heard around the world. He is a true champion of religious freedom.”
Co-presenters at the roundtable, Barrister Emmanuel Ogebe of US Nigeria Law Group PLLC, and Rev. William Devlin, co-pastor of the Infinity Bible Church in South Bronx, New York, shared their stories of traveling tens of times to Nigeria with offerings of support to those in need, their message that the violence must stop, and the urgency to tell the world what is happening in Nigeria.
In an effort to help move the areas in conflict toward peace, the State Department report stated, “The embassy concluded five small grants to faith-based and community organizations to support reconciliation in communities, primarily in the North Central region, experiencing ethnoreligious violence.”
Rev. Taylor concluded, “Much work is needed to bring peace to this area and working in collaboration with governments and civil society organizations can bring about change.”
About the company: The Church of Scientology National Affairs Office has for years worked on and supported issues concerning religious freedom for all, noting that an attack on one faith is an attack on all. The Creed of the Church of Scientology in part states: “We of the Church believe “That all men of whatever race, color or creed were created with equal rights. “That all men have inalienable rights to their own religious practices and their performance.” In its support of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights [UDHR], the Church of Scientology supports United for Human Rights, an international, not-for-profit organization dedicated to implementing the UDHR at local, regional, national and international levels. Comprised of individuals, educators and groups throughout the world, United for Human Rights actively forwards the knowledge and protection of human rights by and for all mankind.
Contact Info:
Name: Sylvia Stanard
Email: Send Email
Organization: Church of Scientology National Affairs Office
Address: 1701 20th St NW Washington, DC
Website: http://www.scientology.org
Video URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFDBLZl_9xw
Release ID: 89148119
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