Popular American rapper Nicki Minaj is set to speak at a United Nations (UN) event in New York on Tuesday, November 18, focusing on the alleged Christian genocide in Nigeria.
The artist will appear alongside the United States Ambassador to the UN, Michael Waltz, and Alex Bruesewitz, an advisor to US President Donald Trump and the convener of the event.
The speakers are expected to provide insight into the persecution of Christians in Nigeria—an issue both the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) and the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) have described as genocide and the efforts the Trump administration is taking to address the problem.
Ahead of the event, the Trump administration praised Minaj for using her massive influence to raise awareness. Ambassador Waltz stated:
“@NICKIMINAJ is not only arguably the greatest female recording artist, but also a principled individual who refuses to remain silent in the face of injustice. I’m grateful she’s leveraging her massive platform to spotlight the atrocities against Christians in Nigeria, and I look forward to standing with her as we discuss the steps the President and his administration are taking to end the persecution of our Christian brothers and sisters.”
Minaj responded to the comments, expressing her gratitude for the opportunity:
“I am so grateful to be entrusted with an opportunity of this magnitude. I do not take it for granted. It means more than you know. The Barbz (her fans) & I will never stand down in the face of injustice. We’ve been given our influence by God. There must be a bigger purpose.”