(Photo: Aid to the Church in Need)
Surviving a harrowing attack, a young catechist from Nigeria is set to be recognized for his unyielding bravery and faith. Tobias Yahaya, at the age of 26, will receive the prestigious Courage to Be Christian award from Aid to the Church in Need (ACN) on 19 November at St George’s Cathedral in Southwark, London.
Yahaya, a resident of Sokoto Diocese and a father of four, endured a violent assault by extremists in his home. The militants, targeting him for his Christian ministry, inflicted a knife wound to his chest while he was asleep. Remarkably, the blade narrowly missed his major arteries, sparing his life.
Despite the severity of this third attack, Yahaya demonstrated extraordinary resilience by resuming his ministry within three months. “I’m most humbled and honoured to receive this award,” he expressed to ACN. “I dedicate it to God for His abiding presence, to my family for their endless support, and to persecuted Christians all over the world.”
The attackers, when brought to justice, revealed their intent to punish Yahaya for his public display of faith. Yahaya shared his ongoing fear with ACN’s Head of Press and Public Affairs, John Pontifex, noting the apprehension he feels while wearing his purple cassock—a symbol of his role as a catechist. “Sometimes, when I put on my cassock, I am afraid,” he admitted. “But I stand firm because of my faith … We will do whatever it takes to share our faith.”
Together with his family, Tobias turned to prayer to seek solace and strength following the incident. The Courage to Be Christian award, introduced in 2023, honors individuals who exhibit extraordinary bravery in the face of persecution. Previous awardees include survivors of the 2022 Owo church bombing in Nigeria and Pakistani advocate Ribqa Nevash, who champions the cause of persecuted Christians.
This year’s award ceremony will align with #RedWednesday, an annual global initiative by ACN to highlight the struggles faced by persecuted Christians. In addition to receiving the award, Tobias supports ACN’s campaign for the enforcement of Article 18 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which ensures the right to freedom of thought, conscience, and religion. He is also advocating for stronger actions from governments and international bodies to protect and assist faith communities under threat worldwide.
This article was originally written by www.christiantoday.com
