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US-based Think Tank Appoints Two Nigerian Priests As Senior Research Fellows

US-based Think Tank Appoints Two Nigerian Priests As Senior Research Fellows
August 19, 2022

The Fellows will also have the opportunity to promote their existing work to a wider audience.

A US-based think-tank, Religious Freedom Institute has appointed two Nigerian priests, Fr. Dr. Atta Barkindo and Fr. Justine John Dyikuk as Research Fellows.

The duo received the notification of their appointment in separate appointment letters signed by the Executive Vice President of the institute, Dr. Eric Patterson.

According to Dyikuk, the institute said in its letter, "It is my pleasure to invite you to join the Religious Freedom Institute as Senior Fellow for International Religious Freedom Policy.

"You’ll work ...on projects of common interest as we collaborate to raise awareness and galvanize action for peace and religious freedom in West Africa.

"We are grateful for the opportunity to work with you to advance religious freedom. Your background and experience on the ground will bring a unique perspective to the work of this organization."

It was learnt that the institute further explained that "RFI’s International Religious Freedom Policy Action Team is dedicated to championing religious freedom for everyone, everywhere."

The institute was also quoted as saying, "As a Senior Fellow, you will be part of a team of senior fellows who will contribute to the work of RFI–a team that includes individuals such as former U.S. diplomats and past government officials from Canada and Pakistan.”

The Fellows also have the opportunity to promote their existing work to a wider audience, "consult in an advisory capacity on RFI initiatives, author an article for RFI’s publication on a quarterly basis and consider speaking, if geographically possible, as part of an RFI event (digital or video).”

They will also participate in occasional consultation on concrete, actionable steps which RFI can take to influence religious freedom policy and allow RFI to republish your work on religious freedom as opportunities arise.

"As Senior Fellow, we would like to amplify, as appropriate, some of your work and initiatives that relate to religious freedom, such as recent writings that you have published and recent speaking engagements. We can also assist, as appropriate, in placing op-eds or opinion pieces you have authored with RFI branding," the institute was also quoted as saying.

Commending the clerics for their appointment, the institute said, "We are proud to identify you as an RFI Senior Fellow for International Religious Freedom Policy."

Before their appointment in the US, Fr. Barkindo was the Executive Director, The Kukah Center and Secretary, National Peace Committee, Abuja, while Fr. Dyikuk was a lecturer of Mass Communication, University of Jos and Convener of the Media Team Network Initiative.