Popular American rapper Nicki Minaj, born Onika Tanya Maraj-Petty, has been invited to address a United Nations (UN) conference over the alleged persecution and killing of Christians in Nigeria.
The invitation reportedly came through the Trump administration, signaling growing international attention on the issue.
The development was confirmed by the United States Ambassador to the UN, Mike Waltz, during an interview on Fox News’ Fox & Family on Monday. Waltz revealed that the award-winning rapper will not only speak at the conference but will also meet with experts to discuss the situation in detail.
“We’ve invited her to speak at the UN and also talk to our experts and others who are working on this matter,” Mr Waltz, a former national security adviser to President Trump, said.
The invitation came days after Nicki Minaj publicly hailed Mr Trump’s decision to redesignate Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern over what the American leader and other notable politicians in the United States have described as a ‘Christian genocide’ in the West African country.
Nicki Minaj has long been associated with Nigeria through her music collaborations and social media activities. The rapper is also known for her good pidgin English, which she has used on several occasions when engaging her Nigerian audience.
During the appearance on Fox News, Mr Waltz also condemned former President Joe Biden for removing Nigeria from the list of countries where Christians are being persecuted following the 2019 designation by the first Trump term.
He added that Mr Trump would not look away while over 330 million Christians across 78 countries are being persecuted.
“Christians are the most persecuted believers in the world,” the top American diplomat said. “It is the most persecuted religion across the Middle East and Africa and elsewhere and relative to the international community.”
