American rapper Onika Maraj-Petty, widely known as Nicki Minaj, is set to speak at a United Nations event in New York on Tuesday, where she will address jihadist violence against Christians in Nigeria.
Minaj will appear alongside U.S. Ambassador to the UN, Michael Waltz, and Alex Bruesewitz, a senior adviser to former President Donald Trump and convener of the event. The announcement was first revealed late Sunday by Timemagazine’s senior political correspondent, Eric Cortellessa.
Confirming Nicki Minaj’s participation, Ambassador Waltz described the superstar as “not only arguably the greatest female recording artist, but also a principled individual who refuses to remain silent in the face of injustice.” He added that he is grateful she is using her “massive platform” to highlight atrocities reportedly committed against Nigerian Christians.
Responding to Waltz’s post, Nicki Minaj expressed her appreciation for being invited to speak at the high-profile gathering.
“I am grateful to be entrusted with an opportunity of this magnitude. I do not take it for granted. It means more than you know,” she wrote, adding that she would never back down in the face of injustice and believes her influence serves a greater purpose.
The development comes after former U.S. President Donald Trump claimed there is an ongoing “Christian genocide” in Nigeria, designating the country a “Country of Particular Concern” and urging Congress to act. Minaj had publicly praised Trump for drawing attention to the killings.
The Nigerian government, however, has rejected claims of religious persecution, insisting that the nation’s insecurity challenges are not driven by religion. Despite Nigeria’s position, U.S. officials continue to raise concerns.
Nicki Minaj’s upcoming appearance at the UN marks the latest move by American authorities to spotlight alleged Christian persecution in Nigeria
