Faith and Freedom Africa Holds Maiden Graduation, Inducts 41 Into FoRB Youth Advocacy Network
Our Correspondent
Faith and Freedom Africa (FFA) have inducted 41 young Nigerians into the Freedom of Religion or Belief (FoRB) Youth Advocacy Network Nigeria after completing its maiden Youth Digital Advocacy Cohort.
The graduation and induction ceremony, held in Jos, Plateau State, brought together graduands, facilitators, community leaders and goodwill speakers to reflect on the journey, achievements and lessons of the programme.
Administering the Oath of Commitment, Barrister John Simon Tsok charged the new advocates to uphold the dignity of humanity, defend freedom of conscience and become courageous voices for peace, justice and religious freedom in Nigeria and beyond.
“Freedom of religion or belief is a dimension of good governance. You must track how governance is carried out in your spaces and ensure that freedom of religion or belief is guaranteed and exercised.
“You are to be ambassadors of peace and defenders of the fundamental rights of every person, regardless of religion, belief, ethnicity, gender or social background. Be the voice of conscience. Do not keep quiet when you need to speak up against intolerance and other divisive acts,” he said.
Earlier, the Country Representative of Faith and Freedom Africa, Mr. Felix Samari, commended the graduands for sustaining the programme and returning to their communities to organize town hall meetings, community dialogues with traditional rulers, imams and pastors, and women’s gatherings in Kano, Minna and Plateau State.
He disclosed that FFA is collaborating with partners working on irregular migration and human trafficking to explore the link between freedom of belief and vulnerability to forced migration.
Recalling impact stories, Samari said one female professional used her 45th birthday to mobilize 45 women Christians, Muslims and persons of other beliefs for an interfaith dialogue on the FFA platform.
“In Kano, women have organized two separate events. In Minna, two events as well. A pastor, an imam and other community members sat together and discussed these issues. These are the kinds of grassroots engagements we want to see more of,” he said.
He cited engagements with traditional institutions, including a community dialogue with a Hakimi who gathered over 60 imams, pastors and title holders in his palace, and advocacy visits to the Chairman of the Niger State Traditional Council, the Etsu Nupe, who invited other council members to join the discussion.
“Now, we are moving forward with you. You have the baton in your hands,” he told the graduands, adding that FFA will soon hold a dedicated engagement with journalists.
Speaking on the purpose, coordination and responsibilities of the Network, Dr. Longji Dambok said FFA is taking an important step by turning individual learning into collective action.
Faith and Freedom Africa have brought you together because we believe in you. We recognize the strength of your voices, your connections with your communities, and your ability to influence how people understand and treat one another,” he said.
He explained that the FoRB Advocacy Network seeks to promote freedom of conscience, human dignity and peaceful relations across religious differences, while challenging prejudice, harmful stereotypes and misinformation.
“The network will operate with coordination and guidance from Faith and Freedom Africa Nigeria. Our communication platform will provide space to share opportunities, learning materials and activity updates. We will encourage regular engagement through online discussions, learning sessions and periodic reviews,” he said.
Dambok urged members to bring forward ideas for campus conversations, community dialogues and digital campaigns, and to continue promoting the FFA online micro-course.
In a goodwill message, media and development practitioner Kaneng Rwang Pam linked lack of freedom of belief to vulnerability to forced migration and trafficking. Using the story of a 22-year-old girl, Grace, whose family rejected her faith choices, she warned that intolerance at the family level pushes young people into risky migration.
She charged the graduands to see their advocacy as contributing to national development and to document emerging success stories.
Also speaking on behalf of the Christian Lawyers Fellowship of Nigeria (CLASFON), Panmak Dashan, Esq., charged the graduands to see graduation not as an end but as the beginning of greater responsibility.
“Before we are identified by our religious affiliations, we are first and foremost human beings. Our humanity should never be overshadowed by our religious differences,” he said, noting that FoRB includes the right to adopt, change, renounce or hold no religion.
He said FoRB remains a concern in Nigeria, especially with allegations of apostasy and blasphemy where individuals face threats and discrimination, adding that the true value of the training will be measured by how graduands transform their communities.
The ceremony also featured testimonies from participants.
Ujin Josephine Mallai from Plateau State said the training inspired the Plateau Youth Town Hall on FoRB, with panellists.
She disclosed that through the network, she participated in the Global Youth Summit organized by the Self-Freedom Foundation in the United States and secured a commitment for a seed grant for a campaign tagged “56 Faiths in One Plateau.”
Hashaka Wenzale from Taraba State said the programme taught him integrity and togetherness, but highlighted the language barrier as a major challenge, calling for Hausa translation of the course to reach grassroots users.
Karot John from Bauchi State said she set a target of reaching five people daily, and used a football match to create awareness that led to over 20 enrolments. She also cited trust and language barriers, urging translation of course materials into Hausa.
Jamima John, speaking on behalf of other cohorts, said the programme emboldened her to challenge religious discrimination in her lecture hall where seats were being reserved along faith lines.
The high point of the event was the presentation of certificates and the formal induction of the 41 graduands into the FoRB Youth Advocacy Network Nigeria, with a pledge to promote dialogue over prejudice and defend freedom of religion or belief for all.
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