Another Nigerian, 22-year-old Enrique Uwadiae who is based in United Kingdom, has added to the pool of the nation’s success stories as he was recognised by the London Standard.
Enrique Uwadiae who is a ‘knife activist’ was named one of UK’s 25 Most Influential people of 2019 who are 25 years old or below.
After getting stabbed 3 times by a rival gang at age 17, the 22-year-old, turned a new leaf, rededicated his life to God and is now a pastor. Uwadiae is not only a pastor but has dedicated his life to saving kids from a life of crime.
London Standard wrote: “22, anti-knife activist, a former gang member turned pastor, Enrique turned his life around after he was stabbed. After growing up on the Crawford estate, in south-east London, he now mentors young people who want to run away from a life of crime through the SPAC Nation church which was funded by Tobi Adegboyega, the Nigerian-born cousin of Star Wars actor, John Boyega.”
Sharing the news on Instagram, Tobi Adegboyega wrote:
“Tonight I am going to support my son Enrique at The Evening Standard’s Progress 1000 Gala. He has been selected in 25 under 25 most influential people in the UK. He has come a long way.”
Speaking at a Be The Change meeting, Enrique shared his story: “Poverty brings anger and leads to a gang lifestyle. Aged 15 I was arrested for double attempted murder after a gang clash, though the charges were later dropped. But everything changed for me in November 2013, when I was 17, and I was stabbed in the arm, back and femoral artery. I collapsed in a pool of blood and thought my life was over. Before I was rushed to hospital, I remember praying to God.”
Speaking on how he became a pastor, he said: “I heard about a church called S.P.A.C Nation, whose leader was taking young boys involved in gang crime and welcoming them. So I joined.”
Below is the photo of Enrique at the hospital after he was stabbed.
