In a joint statement signed by the General Secretary, Alhaji Abdulrahim Juma Yusuf Alao, on behalf of the Chairman, Alhaji Muritala Sani Adeleke, Sarkin Yorubawan Funtua, alongside the Executive Council and General Assembly of the Association

the Association emphasized that Nigeria’s current security challenges are broad-based and affect citizens across all regions, religions, and social classes. It stressed that the ongoing violence is driven by criminality rather than ethnic or religious motivations.

The Association commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu led Administration and security agencies for their ongoing efforts to combat these threats and expressed confidence that, with continued public cooperation and prayers, Nigeria will overcome the forces undermining its peace and stability.

Addressing recent allegations of a targeted Christian genocide in Nigeria, the Association categorically denied the existence of any deliberate or state-sponsored plot against adherents of any religion.

According to the statement, the violence recorded in parts of the country is perpetrated by criminal elements and must be condemned uniformly, irrespective of whether the victims are Christians, Muslims, or members of any other group.

The Association also acknowledged the concerns expressed by former U.S. President Donald Trump about Nigeria’s security situation, expressing appreciation for the attention but emphasizing that such views must be grounded in accurate, balanced understanding of the country’s complex security realities.

Regarding Nigeria’s designation as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC), the Association maintained that while international interest in Nigeria’s stability is welcome, unilateral labels must be based on verifiable facts rather than misinterpretations. It reiterated that Nigeria values constructive partnerships with friendly nations, including the United States, but insisted that such cooperation must be rooted in mutual respect, collaboration, and adherence to the principles of sovereign equality and non-interference as articulated in the UN Charter.

The Association further called for unity among Nigerians, urging citizens across ethnic, religious, and political lines to stand together in confronting the nation’s security challenges. It also urged both local and international commentators to speak responsibly on Nigerian affairs, stressing that inaccurate or sensational statements only heighten tensions in the country.

The traditional rulers urged all levels of government and security agencies to intensify and better coordinate their efforts to restore peace nationwide.

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Yet, beyond the social media skirmishes and emotional exchanges, Trump’s statement reveals something deeper: a familiar pattern in the United States’ dealings with Africa. It is the weaponization of crisis narratives—whether framed as human rights violations, religious persecution, or authoritarianism—to justify interference, delegitimize leadership, and ultimately gain influence over the continent’s natural and strategic resources.

Trump’s sudden “concern” for Nigerian Christians is not an isolated outburst. It fits into a long history of American strategic communication, where moral rhetoric masks geopolitical ambition. The same method has been applied, with devastating consequences, in Sudan, Libya, and Egypt.

Sudan: Sanctions, Secession, and the Gold-Oil Equation

Sudan offers a textbook case of how Washington’s moral posturing often conceals material interests. Once oil was discovered there in commercial quantities, the U.S. shifted from engagement to isolation. In the 1990s, when Sudan drew closer to China for oil development, Washington retaliated by designating it a “state sponsor of terrorism.” Economic sanctions crippled Sudan’s economy for decades.

The Darfur conflict in the early 2000s was subsequently cast in U.S. media and diplomatic circles as “genocide”—a term with powerful emotional pull. While there were undeniable atrocities, the selective outrage conveniently weakened Khartoum and paved the way for further Western leverage.

In 2011, with U.S. backing, South Sudan seceded from the North. The event was hailed internationally as a victory for self-determination. Yet, the result was two unstable states locked in economic and political disarray. The oil-rich South lacked infrastructure and governance, while the North lost critical oil revenue. The region remains fragile, but multinational companies gained easier access to its oil and gold wealth through new contracts and “peace” interventions.

Today, as Sudan endures another violent internal war, one constant remains—the external appetite for its resources, especially gold. Instability has made extraction and export less traceable, more profitable for global actors operating behind humanitarian façades.

Libya: From African Powerhouse to Western Playground

If Sudan’s story was slow manipulation, Libya’s was swift destruction.
Before 2011, Libya under Muammar Gaddafi stood as Africa’s wealthiest nation by GDP per capita. The country provided free healthcare, education, and generous social welfare programs. But more significantly, Gaddafi began championing a Pan-African financial system—including a gold-backed dinar—to reduce Africa’s dependence on the U.S. dollar and Western-controlled financial institutions.

Then came the Arab Spring. What began as protest movements in Tunisia and Egypt morphed into a Western-backed revolution in Libya. Washington and its NATO allies accused Gaddafi of mass atrocities against civilians. Citing the “Responsibility to Protect” (R2P) doctrine, NATO launched a bombing campaign under the guise of humanitarian intervention.

But the mission was anything but humanitarian. Gaddafi was killed, Libya’s government collapsed, and militias fractured the nation. The once-stable state was plunged into chaos, becoming a hub for arms smuggling, human trafficking, and terrorism. Western oil interests, meanwhile, re-entered under favorable terms through intermediaries.

The so-called liberation of Libya achieved three things for the West:

1. The elimination of an African leader advocating continental financial independence.
2. The fragmentation of a resource-rich nation into competing zones.
3. The reassertion of Western control over North African oil and Mediterranean trade routes.

More than a decade later, Libya remains divided, unstable, and exploited—a warning of what happens when external “humanitarianism” masks imperial ambition.

Egypt: The Quiet Control of Strategic Dependency

Egypt’s case is more subtle but no less telling. Since the 1970s, Cairo has been among the largest recipients of U.S. military aid—over $1.3 billion annually. This aid effectively ties Egypt’s defense and foreign policy to Washington’s strategic interests, particularly concerning Israel and the Suez Canal, one of the world’s most critical trade routes.

When the Arab Spring reached Egypt in 2011, Washington initially supported protesters demanding Hosni Mubarak’s resignation. But when Mohammed Morsi, a democratically elected leader, began charting an independent foreign policy, U.S. support quickly evaporated. After the military coup that removed Morsi in 2013, the U.S. quietly resumed business with Egypt’s new rulers.

This dual standard—supporting democracy only when convenient—reveals the depth of America’s strategic calculus. Whenever Cairo leans toward non-Western alliances or pursues policies beyond Washington’s approval, accusations of “authoritarianism” or “human rights violations” conveniently resurface in U.S. discourse.

Nigeria: The New Target of a Familiar Game

Against this backdrop, Trump’s comments about genocide in Nigeria fit a recognizable formula. The U.S. identifies or amplifies an internal division—religious, ethnic, or political—then frames it through the lens of morality or persecution. Once public opinion is stirred, the door opens for diplomatic pressure, covert engagement, or economic manipulation.

Nigeria, with its vast oil and gas reserves and growing geopolitical relevance, is a natural target. At a time when Abuja is strengthening ties with China, BRICS nations, and exploring greater self-reliance in defense and energy, narratives that portray Nigeria as unstable or divided conveniently undermine its international credibility.

Of course, Nigeria has suffered grievous losses from terrorism. Thousands of Christians and Muslims alike have been victims of extremist violence. But to label these complex, multi-causal conflicts as a “genocide against Christians” is both misleading and dangerous. It misrepresents Nigeria’s progress against terror, oversimplifies a multifaceted security challenge, and risks inflaming dormant sectarian suspicions—all while serving external agendas.

From Religion to Resources: The True Battleground

From Khartoum to Tripoli, from Cairo to Abuja, the pattern is unmistakable. The language of compassion—human rights, democracy, religion—has often served as cover for intervention. Behind every “moral outrage” lies a map of strategic resources, trade routes, or geopolitical influence.

Africa’s greatest challenge, therefore, is not merely managing its internal diversity but recognizing and resisting the manipulations of foreign powers that thrive on division. The continent must build stronger institutions, independent media, and regional solidarity to see beyond narratives crafted for external consumption.

When world powers speak passionately about freedom or faith in Africa, the question Africans must ask is not what they say, but rather—what they seek.

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The announcement follows from Trump’s 20-point plan to end the war on Gaza, which he announced last week, and which Israel, Hamas and most of the world broadly welcomed.

More than 67,000 people have been killed in Israel’s war on Gaza, described by many international rights organisations and a United Nations commission as genocidal in nature.

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Just a day after placing all employees on leave, contract staff received an email notifying them of their termination, effective March 31. The move underscores the administration’s intent to restructure—or potentially dismantle—these longstanding institutions, which have played a critical role in shaping U.S. global influence.

Mass Layoffs Hit VOA Workforce

According to official reports, the agency employed 3,384 workers during the 2023 fiscal year and had requested a $950 million budget for the current fiscal year. However, the sudden termination of contract employees, who form a significant portion of VOA’s workforce—particularly in non-English language services—has left the organization in a state of uncertainty.

An internal email, verified by multiple employees, instructed contractors to “cease all work immediately” and barred them from accessing agency buildings or systems. The abrupt decision has raised concerns, especially for non-U.S. citizens whose employment at VOA is tied to their visas.

Full-Time Employees on Administrative Leave

Unlike contract workers, most full-time VOA staff remain on administrative leave and have not been immediately dismissed. However, they have been instructed not to perform any work, fueling speculation about the organization’s future direction.

Press Freedom Under Threat?

VOA, established during World War II, broadcasts in 49 languages and has long served as a critical source of news for audiences in countries with restricted media freedoms. The sudden layoffs have sparked criticism, with many viewing the move as part of a broader assault on press freedom.

Liam Scott, a VOA journalist covering press freedom and disinformation, confirmed his dismissal, effective March 31. He took to social media, stating, “I’ve covered press freedom for a long time, and I’ve never seen something like what’s happened in the U.S. over the past couple of months.”

Scott also argued that the move aligns with the Trump administration’s broader efforts to weaken government institutions and curtail media independence.

VOA Operations in Limbo

With its workforce significantly reduced, VOA has struggled to maintain programming. Some services have resorted to playing music in place of scheduled news broadcasts, highlighting the impact of the mass layoffs.

As the situation unfolds, questions remain about the future of U.S.-funded international media and its role in global news coverage.

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The company in a statement said: “After close review of recent Tweets from the @realDonaldTrump account and the context around them we have permanently suspended the account due to the risk of further incitement of violence.”

Twitter stated that Trump had on Friday afternoon made a tweet that violated the company’s policy against the glorification of violence.

“These two Tweets must be read in the context of broader events in the country and the ways in which the President’s statements can be mobilized by different audiences, including to incite violence, as well as in the context of the pattern of behavior from this account in recent weeks.”

The first tweet was said to be about Trump’s supporters, where he tweeted that “The 75,000,000 great American Patriots who voted for me, AMERICA FIRST, and MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN, will have a GIANT VOICE long into the future. They will not be disrespected or treated unfairly in any way, shape or form!!!”

The second indicated Trump did not plan to attend Joe Biden’s inauguration.

“To all of those who have asked, I will not be going to the Inauguration on January 20th,” he tweeted.

Twitter said the tweet concerning the inauguration could be viewed as a further statement that the election was not legitimate.

It also said that the tweet could be interpreted as Trump saying that the inauguration would be a “safe” target for violence because he would not be attending.

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Joe Biden was projected winner of the 2020 election by American media after he garnered over 270 electoral votes.

Biden defeats the incumbent president, Donald Trump, who has continued to allege fraud in vote counting.

The post Just-In: Joe Biden Defeats Trump, Emerges 46th US President appeared first on Daily Dates Nigeria.

He said this on Wednesday, adding that he would go to the Supreme Court to dispute the counting of votes, if not declared the re-elected president.

“We did win this election,” Trump said in an extraordinary speech from the ceremonial East Room of the White House.

“For the good of this nation, this is a very big moment. This is a major fraud in our nation. We want the law to be used in a proper manner. So, we will be going to the US Supreme Court,” Trump said.

The Republican, who according to initial results is in a neck-and-neck race with Democrat Joe Biden, said he would go to court and “we want all voting to stop.”

He appeared to mean stopping the counting of mail-in ballots which can be legally accepted by state election boards after Tuesday’s election, provided they were sent in time.

The post US: Trump Declares Self As Winner, Threatens To Challenge Results appeared first on Daily Dates Nigeria.

Earlier, the President also declared a national emergency over Coronavirus.

Donald Trump during a press conference on Friday night said “….No matter where you may be, I encourage you to turn towards prayer in an act of faith. Together, we will easily PREVAIL!

It is my great honor to declare Sunday, March 15th as a National Day of Prayer. We are a Country that, throughout our history, has looked to God for protection and strength in times like these….

— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) March 13, 2020

Recall that Borno state governor, Babagana Zulum, on Monday, February 24, 2020 declared statewide fasting and prayers against Boko Haram insurgents.

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