Nigeria protests exclusion from Nicki Minaj’s UN event

By Tiamiyu Prudence Arobani

Nigeria on Tuesday expressed concerns over the decision of the U.S. to exclude it from participating in the U.S. rapper Nicki Minaj event on alleged killings of Nigerians of a specific faith group.

The Chargé d’Affaires, Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the UN, Mr Syndoph Endoni, said the decision to exclude Nigeria from the discussion, which held at the UN headquarters in New York, amounted to “shaving our head in our absence”.

The Minaj event, which held at the UN headquarters in New York in collaboration with the Permanent Mission of the U.S. to the UN, was against the background of the ongoing accusation by the U.S. alleging Christian persecution in Nigeria.

U.S. President Donald Trump had recently designated Nigeria as “a Country of Particular Concern” over alleged Christian genocide in the country.

The Nigerian envoy, however, refuted the ongoing accusations by the U.S. authorities alleging Christian genocide in Nigeria, which the Nigerian authorities have severally rejected.

“It is important to ensure the country concerned in the ongoing allegations of genocide against Christians, is present, aware and has a voice in the matter.

“This is because, you should not make important decisions or take action on something that involves a country without their presence or consent.”

Endoni said by refusing Nigeria participation, the U.S. authorities had denying Nigeria the right and opportunity to tell its own side of the story.

The Nigerian envoy expressed disappointment that a few countries were allowed participation at the event, querying the rationale for shutting Nigeria out.

He said, “We asked the U.S. authorities if it was okay to continue to shave someone’s hair in his absence.

“We further highlighted that the Nigerian government is not standing idly by to watch the atrocities perpetrated by the criminals”.

In addition, the Nigerian envoy stressed that both countries can jointly solve the insecurity problems in Nigeria only if they work together.

Endoni urged the U.S. to ensure inclusive engagements to avoid undue escalation over claims of persecution of Christians in Nigeria.

U.S. Senior Advisor for African Affairs, Amb. Patricia Mahoney had visited the Nigeria House in New York on Monday to intimate Syndoph about Minaj event.

At the meeting, the U.S. representative informed Nigeria that three UN Member Countries were invited with other personalities, including a pastor from Nigeria.

However, she informed that no representative of the Nigerian government, including from the Permanent Mission of Nigeria to the UN, was invited.

According to him, the U.S. envoy informed that the event was a private event.

The Nigerian envoy expressed concerns over the U.S.’ actions of naming and shaming, saying it is capable of causing apprehensions in the country.

The main reason Nigeria was denied participation was to honour the participants specific request not to allow Nigerian officials for fears of retribution for them and their families.

However, the envoy said the Nigerian authorities would continue to engage their U.S. counterparts over the killings by extremists and to collaborate to protect lives and property in Nigeria.

“No group should ever be persecuted for practicing their religion”

Nicki Minaj, whose real name is Onika Tanya Maraj-Petty, had at the event insisted that no group should ever be persecuted for practicing their religion” adding, “we don’t have to share the same beliefs in order for us to respect each other.

She also said practicing a different religion “should not make anybody feel less safe”.

“It’s about what I’ve always stood for my entire career and I will continue to stand for that for the rest of my life,” she said.

Referring to the U.S., Minaj expressed gratitude that “we live in a country where she can freely and safely worship God regardless of one’s creed, religion or politics”.

“Music has taken me around the globe. I have seen how people, no matter their language, culture or religion, come alive when they hear a song that touches their soul,” she said.

“Religious freedom means we all can sing our faith regardless of who we are, where we live, and what we believe.

“But today, faith is under attack in way too many places.”

The rapper called for political action in Nigeria.

She thanked U.S. President Donald Trump for the urgent action “to combat extremism and to bring a stop to violence against those who simply want to express their natural right to freedom of religion or belief.”

She acknowledged “faith leaders, peace builders, those who saw violence, saw rising intolerance, saw the threats clearly before others and chose not to look the other way”.

“I am inspired by their works to build inter-faith ties, to see that humanity across the line which might divide us and to fight for security and liberty for all those who pray”.

U.S. Ambassador to the UN, Mike Waltz commended Minaj for using her platform as an entertainer to spotlight the crisis in Nigeria. (NAN)