Nigeria has raised concerns over its exclusion from a United Nations event hosted by U.S. rapper Nicki Minaj, which focused on the alleged persecution and killings of Christians in the country.
Speaking on Tuesday, Syndoph Endoni, the chargé d’affaires at Nigeria’s permanent mission to the UN, described the decision to bar Nigeria from the discussion at the UN headquarters in New York as akin to “shaving our head in our absence.”
The event, organized in collaboration with the U.S. permanent mission to the UN, aimed to highlight the rising attacks on Christians in Nigeria.
President Donald Trump had recently designated Nigeria as a ‘country of particular concern’ over alleged Christian genocide.
The Nigerian envoy, however, refuted the ongoing accusations by the U.S. authorities alleging Christian genocide, which the Nigerian authorities have repeatedly 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,” said Mr Endoni. “This is because you should not make important decisions or take action on something that involves a country without their presence or consent.”
Mr Endoni said that by refusing to allow Nigeria’s participation, the U.S. authorities had denied the country the right and opportunity to tell its own side of the story.
The Nigerian envoy expressed disappointment that only a few countries were allowed to participate in 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.”
The Nigerian envoy stressed that both countries can jointly address Nigeria’s security problems only if they work together.
Mr Endoni urged the U.S. to ensure inclusive engagements to avoid undue escalation over claims of persecution of Christians in Nigeria.
The U.S. Senior Advisor for African Affairs, Patricia Mahoney, visited the Nigerian House in New York on Monday to inform Mr Endoni about the Minaj event. At the meeting, the U.S. representative informed Nigeria that three UN member states were invited, along with other personalities, including a Nigerian pastor.
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 him that the event was private.
The Nigerian envoy expressed concern over the U.S. practice of naming and shaming, saying it can cause apprehension in the country.
The main reason Nigeria was denied participation was to honour the participants’ specific request not to allow Nigerian officials for fear 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.
(NAN)