United States President Donald Trump has been honoured with the 2026 Faith Defender Award in recognition of what organisers described as his administration’s commitment to advancing religious freedom and confronting terrorism affecting vulnerable communities worldwide.

The award was presented during the 2026 Faith Defender Award Gala organised by Save Nigeria Group USA in partnership with the U.S.-Nigeria Civil Society Coalition at the Hilton Garden Inn, Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C.

According to a statement jointly signed after the event by Stephen Osemwegie, President and Founder of Save Nigeria Group USA; Victor Onyeka-Ben, Media Director; David Adenekan, Director of Strategy and Diaspora Engagement; and Autumn Miller, Public Relations Director, the gathering brought together U.S. lawmakers, international human rights advocates, members of the Nigerian diaspora and prominent Nigerian Christian leaders, including Pastor Enoch Adeboye and Bishop David Oyedepo.

Speaking at the gala, Pastor Adeboye, General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), praised President Trump for what he described as decisive leadership against terrorism.

“Thank God for Trump. He means business,” Adeboye said, while urging the United States to sustain its support for efforts aimed at tackling insecurity in Nigeria.

The cleric warned that terrorism had spread beyond Nigeria’s northern region, saying the security crisis had moved “to my doorstep” and now required a coordinated international response led by the United States and its allies.

“If you want to help us, help us more. No matter who is in office in Nigeria, only God can help us. Use your influence to help us,” Adeboye appealed.

He also commended the U.S. government’s recent actions against terrorist groups but maintained that greater international cooperation involving the United States, Britain, Australia and other Western allies was necessary to combat extremist violence.

Adeboye disclosed that the RCCG had established an internally displaced persons camp providing food, shelter and relief materials to victims of terrorism, adding that the church plans to build a secondary school for displaced children and establish vocational training programmes for adults.

He noted that while he did not agree with every position taken by President Trump, he admired what he described as the U.S. leader’s willingness to follow through on his commitments.

In a keynote address delivered on his behalf, Bishop David Oyedepo warned that Nigeria was “virtually at the brink of collapse” due to persistent insecurity.

“My heart bleeds,” Oyedepo said, expressing support for proposed U.S. congressional legislation designed to strengthen accountability for terrorism-related atrocities in Nigeria.

He welcomed what he described as growing U.S. engagement on religious freedom issues, adding, “We look forward to a nation that will be safe, peaceful and prosperous again.”

Former U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for International Religious Freedom, Sam Brownback, also expressed concern over the worsening security situation in Nigeria, warning that the country faced the risk of violent civil unrest if insecurity was not decisively addressed.

Brownback urged sustained American support to help Nigeria restore peace and security, while human rights advocate Dr Katrina Swett called for greater U.S. involvement in protecting religious freedom and supporting victims of extremist violence.

“The future is in the hands of Nigerians, but America has powerful leverage to do more,” Swett said.

President of Save Nigeria Group USA and Convener of the U.S.-Nigeria Civil Society Coalition, Stephen Osemwegie, called on the U.S. Congress to pass the proposed Nigeria Religious Freedom and Accountability Act (H.R. 7457) and forward it to President Trump for assent.

He said terrorism required a coordinated international response and commended U.S. lawmakers who had continued to highlight Nigeria’s security challenges.

The gala, themed “Thank You, America”, marked the conclusion of a week-long advocacy campaign that included a rally near the White House and engagements with members of the U.S. Congress.

Organisers said the campaign was aimed at strengthening international support for combating terrorism, protecting religious freedom and promoting lasting peace in Nigeria. (Nigerian Tribune)

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