Religious Persecution in Nigeria: Cleric Reveals Details of White House Meeting on Inside Sources

Revd. Gideon Para-Mallam, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Gideon and Funmi Para-Mallam Peace Foundation, has revealed details of his recent visit to the White House, where issues of religious freedom and insecurity in Nigeria were discussed with key U.S. officials. Para-Mallam spoke during an appearance on Inside Sources with Laolu Akande on Channels […]

Revd. Gideon Para-Mallam, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Gideon and Funmi Para-Mallam Peace Foundation, has revealed details of his recent visit to the White House, where issues of religious freedom and insecurity in Nigeria were discussed with key U.S. officials.

Para-Mallam spoke during an appearance on Inside Sources with Laolu Akande on Channels Television on Friday, where he shared insights from the high-level engagements that took place during the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C.

According to the cleric, the invitation to the United States followed weeks of confidential preparations and security clearance from American authorities.

“On the visit [to the White House], it was a privilege. The first time I was contacted to get ready to go to the US for a confidential meeting was on the 9th of January, we needed to get clearance from the White House. That clearance was eventually obtained,” he said.

He explained that the invitation reflected both advocacy and humanitarian concerns, particularly relating to victims of abduction and violence in Nigeria.

“The invitation for us to go to the White House [for the US National Prayer breakfast meeting] combines both the advocacy and the humanitarian aspects because of our involvements with many of these [abducted] girls. I want Nigerians to know that those girls are not just languishing helplessly, God has intervened and many of them have come out,” Para-Mallam stated.

The cleric said he attended some of the meetings alongside the Governor of Plateau State, where they held discussions with American officials in the U.S. Congress.

“I went together with the governor of Plateau state to meet with Riley Moore. This took us to the US Congress. Those are very deep meetings for Nigeria. Riley Moore is who the US President Donald Trump has delegated to focus on Nigeria. We discussed honestly and openly with him,” he said.

According to Para-Mallam, the conversations focused strongly on preserving Nigeria’s unity despite concerns over violence and religious freedom.

“And, there was a very solid focus on maintaining the unity of Nigeria. That was the voice that the Governor of Plateau state provided. We owned up to the issues. The absence of religious liberty, freedom of beliefs and there are testimonies that abounds in the country. Should Nigeria be divided? No. Our ultimate goal is to see that all the killings end. I do not think that the US has any interest for Nigeria to split,” he added.

He also recounted events during the prayer breakfast itself, noting that President Trump addressed the gathering and spoke about religious freedom.

“Trump acknowledged the Presidents of Congo and El Salvador for more time than any foreign dignitary. Trump also took a swipe at Nigeria about the lack of religious freedom for Christians. When people deny that there is religious persecution, we keep quite because we have facts that genocide is real in Nigeria of Christians. Anybody saying it does not exist is living in denial,” Para-Mallam said.

The cleric further revealed that Paula White, who heads the Faith Office at the White House, introduced the U.S. president during the gathering.

“Pastor Paula White introduced President Trump during the breakfast meeting. She shared very compelling stories. Paula White is the director of the Faith Office in the White House. It was my duty to share what some of those survivors have gone through,” he said.

Para-Mallam also spoke about the continued captivity of Leah Sharibu, one of the schoolgirls abducted by insurgents in 2018, noting that international interest in securing her release remains strong.

“Those who kept Leah are aware that there are intense interests to get Leah out. Leah is in a very vulnerable and very difficult situation right now,” he said, appealing to the Nigerian government and international partners to intensify efforts toward her release.
“I will appeal that the federal government and the international community including the US…” he added, stressing the urgency of coordinated action to secure her freedom.

Para-Mallam noted that the engagements in Washington were part of ongoing international advocacy aimed at drawing attention to violence affecting communities in Nigeria and promoting lasting peace.