The United States (U.S.) Department of State has honoured slain 200 level student of Home Economics at the Shehu Shagari College of Education, Sokoto, Miss Deborah Yakubu Samuel.
Deborah was murdered by her fellow students turned Islamic extremists and set ablaze after she advised her classmates against posting religious materials on their class WhatsApp platform.
The slain student was honoured on August 22 in commemoration of the U.S. International Day in honour of Victims of Violence Based on Religion or Belief. Deborah’s picture was uploaded on the website of the U.S. Office of Religious Freedom.
According to a statement on the Website, the office promotes universal respect for freedom of religion or belief for all as a core objective of U.S. foreign policy.
The Office also monitors religiously motivated abuses, harassment, and discrimination worldwide, and recommends, develops, and implements policies and programs to address such concerns.
“In May, a mob brutally stoned, flogged, and burned to death college student Deborah Samuel in Nigeria, in an attack fueled by hatred and blasphemy allegations, even as authorities attempted to stop it. We honor her life as we continue the work to end such vicious violence,” the Office wrote.
