Popular American rapper Onika Tanya Maraj-Petty, professionally known as Nicki Minaj, is set to address a United Nations (UN) conference over the alleged killing of Christians in Nigeria following a formal invitation by the Trump administration.
The United States ambassador to the UN, Mike Waltz, disclosed this during an appearance on Fox News’ morning magazine programme, Fox & Family, on Monday. He noted that the ‘Pink Friday’ rapper will also meet with experts to speak on the situation.
“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 re-designate 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.”
