Source: Africa Publicity
Nigerians on social media are blasting celebrities including Davido, actresses Iya Ojo and Funke Akindele, as well as Nasboi, for keeping quiet and waiting until rapper Nicki Minaj, who is “far away” in the US, began spotlighting the persecution of Christians in Nigeria before they started condemning recent killings and abductions of innocent Nigerians by terrorists.
Davido, Iyabo Ojo, Funke Akindele, Nasboi and a few other Nigerian celebrities only began speaking out against the atrocities in Nigeria after Nicki Minaj’s address at the United Nations, in which she spotlighted the persecution of Christians in Nigeria.
Specifically, Davido took to social media to condemn the kidnapping of about 25 young schoolgirls in Kebbi State and the killings of Christians during church service in Eruku Community in Kwara State. “My heart goes out to the young girls kidnapped in Kebbi State and to their families,” Davido said in his post sighted by Africa Publicity.
Nasboi wrote: “I keep watching this Kwara video. I rather die than be afraid to speak….We need accountability. Our country is in shambles. Enough is enough.”
Actress Iya Ojo wrote on social: “We are calling for immediate action to address the ongoing violence, abductions, and terrorism in Nigeria. The recent attack on CAC, Eruku Ekiti, LGA, Kwara State, and the abduction of 25 young girls are stark reminders of the Chibok girls’ tragedy and urgent need for change.”
Movie producer and actress Funke Akindele said: “Woke up to see livestream video of people being attacked inside a church in Kwara. This is sad and disturbing. I wept seeing that old woman who couldn’t walk well running for safety.”
‘Eye service’
But Nigerians on social media see these reactions as simply “eye service” and too late, saying Davido and other celebrities are only speaking out because Nicki Minaj reminded them about “what to do.”
A social media user named Muna Gift wrote: “Eye service yeyebrities Niki don remind the what to do.”
Another user, Ngozi Nnanna, said: “Eye service celebrities finally decided to lend their voices.”
Nicki Minaj partners Trump administration
Rapper Nicki Minaj teamed up with the Trump administration on Tuesday to call for an end to the persecution of Christians in Nigeria.
“I would like to thank President Trump for prioritizing this issue and for his leadership on the global stage in calling for urgent action to defend Christians in Nigeria, to combat extremism and to bring a stop to violence against those who simply want to exercise their natural right to freedom of religion or belief,” she said in her brief remarks at a United Nations event.
“Today, faith is under attack in way too many places. In Nigeria, Christians are being targeted, driven from their homes and killed. Churches have been burned, families have been torn apart, and entire communities live in fear constantly simply because of how they pray,” she continued.
President Donald Trump has said that there’s an “existential threat” against Christians in the country and has threatened military action.
Minaj also highlighted that Nigeria is home to many of her fans, known as Barbz. At the conclusion of her speech, she addressed them directly: “Barbz, I know you’re somewhere listening. I love you so very much. I want to make it very clear, once again, that this isn’t about taking sides. This is about standing up in the face of injustice. It’s about what I’ve always did for my entire career, and I will continue to stand for that for the rest of my life.”
Nicki’s speech follows her earlier post on X, where she wrote: “No group should ever be persecuted for practicing their religion. We don’t have to share the same beliefs in order for us to respect each other.”
Her post included a screenshot from Trump’s Oct. 31 Truth Social post on the same subject: “Thousands of Christians are being killed. Radical Islamists are responsible for this mass slaughter. The United States cannot stand by while such atrocities are happening in Nigeria, and numerous other countries… We stand ready, willing, and able to save our great Christian population around the world!”
