The publisher of Sahara Reporters and the convener of the #RevolutionNow protest, Omoyele Sowore, has been nominated for the United States of America’s prisoner of honour.
Sowore’s nomination follows his incarceration by Nigeria’s State Security Services (SSS) and recent release from detention after the court had given an order granting him bail months ago.
The activist may be given the ‘Prisoner of Conscience honour award’ by the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission of the United States House of Representatives.
The publisher of Sahara Reporters, who was released by the Department of the State Service, DSS, by the order of the Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Abubakar Malami, was commended by many for his resilient and determination for a better Nigeria.
A US lawmaker, Josh Gottheimer, is said to have sponsored Sowore’s nomination for the Prisoner of Honour Award in the US.
The award, which is to be presented by the Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission, is charged with promoting, defending, and advocating for international human rights.
Gottheimer said: “For months now, I have been working closely with the Sowore family, the Haworth community, the State Department, and my colleagues to advocate on Yele’s (Omoyele) behalf.”
He also called on the Nigerian government to ensure that Sowore is protected and provided the due process he deserves to enable him to return to his family as soon as possible.
“We will continue watching the situation in Nigeria, a democracy seeking closer ties with the United States, to make sure the government respects basic human rights,” the US lawmaker said.
