Nigerian Christian leaders and major ecumenical bodies have firmly rejected United States President Donald Trump’s claim that American military operations have successfully put an end to the killing of Christians within Nigeria. The groups, including the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) for the 19 Northern states and the FCT, alongside the Ecumenical Synods of Bishops, dismissed the President’s remarks as misleading and disconnected from the ongoing, violent reality in the country.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The backlash follows President Trump’s assertion on Friday in Washington, where he claimed: “As you know, we recently struck Nigeria and largely ended the slaughter of great Christian populations.”

Key responses to the claim from Christian leaders include:

• Victims must speak: Rev. Joseph Hayab, CAN Chairman for Northern Nigeria, argued that only Nigerian Christians and victims of insecurity—not President Trump—can determine if there has been actual improvement. He accused Trump of acting on inaccurate information.

• Interventions inadequate: Hayab acknowledged limited US operations against terrorists, such as the December strike near Sokoto and the targeting of ISIS commanders, but pointed out that after these strikes, US forces “went on a long recess” while Nigerians continued to be killed “every day.“

• Call for genuine help: The CAN Chairman urged the US to provide practical, sustained assistance, emphasizing, “We want help, but the help shouldn’t be propaganda or misinformation.” He highlighted that many people remain in bandit captivity across states like Borno, Katsina, Kwara, and Kogi.

• Demanding evidence: The Ecumenical Synods of Bishops, through International Secretary Archbishop Osazee William, stated there is “no convincing evidence” to support Trump’s claims. William described the reported actions as falling far short of the “good intervention” Nigeria hopes for, suggesting it had done little more than convey a minor message without solving the security crisis.

Sunday Dare, the Special Assistant to President Bola Tinubu on Media and Public Communications, has come to the defense of First Lady Senator Oluremi Tinubu following backlash over her recent comments on small-scale entrepreneurship. The First Lady had previously encouraged Nigerians to engage in small businesses like selling akara, kuli-kuli, and roasted corn—ventures that require minimal capital—while noting that the administration prefers providing grants rather than loans.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

This perspective sparked significant criticism from many online, who viewed the suggestions as insulting and disconnected from the current economic hardships faced by Nigerians.

In response, during an appearance on the Mic On podcast with Seun Okinbaloye, Dare shared his own personal history to support the First Lady’s message:

• Dare revealed that his mother raised him by selling bananas and oranges in Jos, Plateau State.

• He personally hawked these fruits in the markets of Jos to help support his family.

• He emphasized that his mother’s ability to successfully train him through these small-scale trade activities sixty years ago highlights the value of such work.

• Dare argued that the First Lady’s intent was simply to encourage Nigerians to develop entrepreneurial skills and avoid remaining idle, noting that the resilience of these small businesses is vital to the national economy.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has indicated that new negotiations regarding the national minimum wage may commence shortly to address the impact of soaring inflation and economic hardship. This potential development follows the implementation of the ₦70,000 minimum wage approximately two years ago.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶