Nigeria has criticized the United States for excluding it from a UN-hosted event featuring American rapper Nicki Minaj, which focused on allegations of targeted killings of Nigerians belonging to a particular faith group.
The Chargé d’Affaires at Nigeria’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations, Syndoph Endoni, said the decision to bar Nigeria from the discussion held at the UN headquarters in New York, amounted to “shaving our head in our absence.”
The event, organized in collaboration with the U.S. Mission to the UN, followed renewed U.S. accusations of Christian persecution in Nigeria. Former U.S. President Donald Trump had recently designated Nigeria as “a Country of Particular Concern” over alleged Christian genocide.
Endoni strongly rejected the allegations, insisting that Nigeria should have been allowed to present its position.
“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,” he said.
He added that preventing Nigerian representatives from attending denied the government the opportunity “to tell its own side of the story.”
Endoni also questioned why only a few countries were granted access to the event.
“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,” he said.
He urged the U.S. to adopt inclusive engagement to prevent unnecessary tensions stemming from claims of religious persecution, stressing that cooperation was essential for addressing insecurity in Nigeria.
According to NAN, U.S. Senior Advisor for African Affairs, Patricia Mahoney, visited Nigeria’s Mission in New York on Monday to brief Endoni about the Minaj event. She reportedly said three UN member states and selected individuals, including a Nigerian pastor, were invited but “no representative of the Nigerian government” was included because the event was a private one.
NAN also reports that organizers excluded Nigerian officials at the request of certain participants who feared possible retribution.
Endoni, however, said Nigeria would continue engaging the U.S. on issues related to extremist violence and would work with partners to protect lives and property.
