Move Fast or Face the Consequence: A Call to Stop Terror, Not Muslims.

By George Omagbemi Sylvester | Published by saharaweeklyNG.com

“The Real Message of Donald Trump’s Warning to Nigeria and Why Some Choose to Misinterpret It.”

The uproar surrounding Donald Trump’s recent warning to Nigeria begs a fundamental question: Are we twisting his words or ignoring the hard truth he sought to highlight? Trump did not declare war on Muslims. He did not call for the overthrow of the Nigerian government. What he did say was blunt and targeted, “MOVE FAST, STOP THE KILLINGS, PROTECT NIGERIANS” and that message should reverberate across this troubled nation.

On 1 November 2025, President Trump designated Nigeria as a “COUNTRY of PARTICULAR CONCERN” for alleged violations of religious freedom and posted.

“If the Nigerian Government continues to allow the killing of Christians, the U.S.A. will immediately stop all aid and assistance to Nigeria and may very well go into that now disgraced country, ‘guns-a-blazing,’ to completely wipe out the Islamic Terrorists who are committing these horrible atrocities.”

He added:
“If we attack, it will be fast, vicious and sweet, just like the terrorist thugs attack our CHERISHED Christians. WARNING: THE NIGERIAN GOVERNMENT BETTER MOVE FAST”

Look at that language: it does not say “we are coming for Muslims”; it says “we may act against terrorist actors if Nigeria fails to protect its citizens.” The conditional “IF” is not a declaration of war, but a wake-up call. And to anyone who says it targets Muslims, you must ask, why assume religious identity when the actor is identified as “TERRORISTS”?

The core message “A demand for accountability.”
The key line is this “Move fast, if you don’t, the United States will step in.” That sentence lays responsibility clearly at the door of the Nigerian authorities. It says; it is your turn first. If you fail, others may do what you didn’t. And, this should not be controversial. Consider these facts:

Nigeria faces a multi-front security crisis: from long-running insurgency by Boko Haram and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in the northeast, to farmer-herder clashes across the Middle Belt and widespread banditry.

According to the human-conflict monitor ACLED, among nearly 1,923 attacks on civilians in Nigeria in a given year, only about 50 were directly linked to victims due to Christian identity, a sobering reminder that the violence is not purely religious in nature, though sometimes portrayed that way.

Nigeria’s own government has rejected the claim it is religiously intolerant, with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu insisting the country protects citizens of all faiths and that the violence is complex and inter-sectarian.

Thus, the message from Trump (whether one supports his style or not) is Nigeria, you must act, you have not acted enough and the cost of continued inaction will be external pressure. That is what he said. Not “WE HATE MUSLIMS”; “WE HATE TERROR.”

Why some distort the message. In my view, the twisting of this message comes from two sources:

Beneficiaries of the status quo. Those who profit (politically, economically or socially) from Nigeria’s slow-motion collapse in many regions will fear exposure. A foreign-led threat to “STEP IN” acts as a catalyst for change they would rather avoid.

The uninformed about reality. Many commentators leap to slogans and labels without disaggregating the actors, the ethnic dynamics, the local militias, the failings of governance. They assume religious framing instead of nuance and so wind up mis-interpreting or mis-representing statements like this.

If you cannot point to perpetrators, if you cannot demonstrate arrests, prosecutions and accountability; then your outrage rings hollow.

Take the specific atrocities you mention, the burning of homes and destruction of entire communities in places such as Yelwata, Bokkos or Taraba. If the victims were destroyed and displaced, how many perpetrators have been ARRESTED, PARADED, TRIED and CONVICTED? That profound lack of accountability is what undercuts Nigeria’s credibility.

When terror actors roam free and their sponsors (whether STATE-LINKED, MILITIA-LINKED or OTHERWISE) operate with impunity, the weakness is not just in one region; but a national crisis.

Why Trump’s demand matters. Let us not mince words, Nigeria is at a crossroads. If the killing continues unchecked, if entire villages vanish and communities are left to fend for themselves, the result is not only humanitarian catastrophe, but a breakdown of state legitimacy.

Renowned analysts warn that Nigeria’s diplomacy and governance are under strain. According to the Atlantic Council, the designation of Nigeria as a CPC and Trump’s threat mark “a diplomatic alarm bell” for Nigeria’s leadership, “unless Abuja demonstrates measurable improvements.”

Here is what is at stake:

Rule of law: When villages are razed without recourse or justice, the contract between citizen and state shatters.

Inter-religious harmony: When violence portrays itself as “Christian vs Muslim” but in fact cuts across minorities and majorities, mis-labelling risks deepening the wound. As one analyst put it: “The wrong thing to do is to invade Nigeria and override the authorities or the authority of the Nigerian government. Doing that will be counter-productive.”

Global credibility: Nigeria claims to be the “giant of Africa,” yet if its foreign allies perceive it as failing to protect citizens, investments, aid and partnerships will falter.

Domestic narrative: If the government tolerates or ignores terror linked to any identity (ethnic, religious, regional) then its claim to protect “ALL NIGERIANS” rings hollow.

Hence Trump’s message (whether blunt or unilateral) demands Nigeria move. It places the burden first on national leadership. That is exactly how you framed his words: “He spoke against terrorists move fast.” That is valid.

Let us be clear; this is about TERROR, not FAITH.
It is tempting, perhaps politically expedient, to frame every attack as MUSLIM-ON-CHRISTIAN or NORTHERN-ON-SOUTHERN. The data suggests otherwise.

“While Christians are among those targeted, the vast majority of victims of armed groups are Muslims in Nigeria’s Muslim-majority north, where most attacks occur.”

This underlines the fact that Nigeria’s crisis is not simply one of religious hatred, but of FAILED GOVERNANCE, BROKEN SECURITY, HUNGER, DISPLACEMENT and CRIMINAL IMPUNITY. Yet when commentators label Trump’s message as ANTI-MUSLIM, they imply that Muslims are uniformly the perpetrators or automatically the victims when in reality, TERRORISM SPARES NONE.

If you stand for justice, for Nigerian lives (whether they are Muslim, Christian, traditionalist or otherwise) then you should support the call for decisive action. The message is universal; stop the killings, regardless of faith.

Why the outrage then? If Trump’s message is as you interpret (a challenge to terror and failed response) then why the outrage? Let me suggest:

Some hold to tribal or religious narratives and view any external intervention or threat as automatically hostile to their identity group, even when the message is not so.

Some fear loss of impunity. When terror actors are exposed, exploitation of communities for resource, land or politics becomes harder. So the message is resisted.

Misinformation spreads faster than nuance. Quick social-media posts, slogans, memes offer easy binaries. Muslim vs Christian, North vs South. The real nuance of “terror vs victim” is harder to sell.

Yet refusing to acknowledge the seriousness of the challenge does not make it go away.

What must Nigeria do now? The parties that bear responsibility are not just Abuja in theory, they include state governments, security services, local communities, civil society. The federal government has the central role. The concrete steps include:

Arrest, prosecute, convict the perpetrators of village destructions; regardless of their ethnicity or religion. Without accountability, deterrence is absent.

Protect displaced communities, rebuild homes, restore livelihoods, offer compensation. A community left without hope is fertile ground for further radicalisation.

Address root causes; poverty, youth unemployment, land conflicts, resource scarcity. Terror and militia violence thrive in neglected zones.

Narrate truth; Government must speak of the victims in all categories and resist selective victimhood. Recognise that terror acts on all Nigerians, not only one faith.

Engage partners but maintain sovereignty; If international assistance is welcomed, it must respect Nigerian leadership but hold it to result. As one expert put it, “The country must cultivate an atmosphere of transparency that allows external observers to assess the facts firsthand.”

The Way Forward.
Those interpreting Donald Trump’s statement as a war on Muslims are mis-reading the message. He invoked a conditional threat; you must act or risk intervention and he spotlighted terrorism, not an entire faith. If we truly want an end to the pain in Yelwata, Bokkos, Taraba and beyond, then every Nigerian (Muslim or Christian) must demand that the killers be caught, the violence halted, and the lives of ordinary citizens restored.

Supporters of the status quo will resist such demand. The uninformed will mislabel it. The truth remains, the demand is simple. Move fast. Stop the terror. Protect Nigerians. Restore dignity. If our leaders cannot hear the message or choose to misinterpret it, it is ordinary Nigerians who pay the price.

Let us not twist the words. Let us heed the substance. Our nation deserves nothing less.

Doctor Femi Amodu Congratulates brother, Muyiwa at 60.

A Lagos socialite, Docor Femi Amodu has congratulated his brother, Omoluabi Oluwole Olumuyiwa Amodu as he turns 60 and pens down from service.
In an emotional laden congratulatory message penned by the senior Amodu,He described the retired Director of School Administration from Lagos State Teaching Service Commission as a mentor of mentors, fearless and impactful man.

“Like your quote Born to Survive – From a humble and displine background given by Pa Theophilus I Amodu JP and Grace O Amodu nee Banire of blessed memory, to the time at Idumota Agbole ma ja loju thanks to Alhaja Aduke Sarata Davies Grandma of blessed memory.

“You started your education at African Church Primary School Breadfruit Lagos to Army Children School Ojo, CMS grammar school Lagos ….Obafemi Awolowo University Ile Ife Osun State

“You joined the Lagos State Teaching Service contributed your quota positively. A mentor of mentors, you impacted knowledge and touched many life. You became a Director of School Administration, delivered your duty without fear or favor — you’re a true fearless Lagosian.

As you retired today but not tired it shall be to good health, wisdom and divine peace.

“Congratulations on your retirement and Happy 60th Birthday

Oluwole iporo moko loran iporo komo loran o tun komo lejo awijare …….

Oluwole Omo ajaga jigi ekun yero

Omo ka maa beere gunyan kolori maa je

Omo ka meru rubo kinu Iya dun……

The statement ended.

LADY ADA CHUKWUDOZIE OF KEYSTONE BANK SET TO HEADLINE THE 10TH INTERNATIONAL WOMEN POWER CONFERENCE IN THE GAMBIA

The prestigious 10th International Women Power Conference (IWPC) Africa, holding in Banjul, The Gambia, is set to welcome one of Nigeria’s most accomplished female corporate leaders, Lady Ada Chukwudozie, the distinguished Chairman, Board of Directors, Keystone Bank Limited, who will serve as Special Guest of Honour and Speaker at this year’s landmark edition.

The global leadership gathering, scheduled for 27th and 28th November 2025, will take place at the iconic Sir Dawda Kairaba Jawara International Conference Center, bringing together leading women in governance, business, entrepreneurship, development, media, and youth empowerment from across Africa and beyond.

Lady Ada Chukwudozie—an influential industrialist and boardroom strategist with over 29 years of experience—is widely celebrated for her excellence in corporate governance, business development, and inclusive financial leadership. In recognition of her exceptional achievements, she will be presented with two prestigious honours during the conference:

Global Leading Womanq Award – 27th November

Phenomenal 100 Women Recognition Award – 28th November

These awards highlight her contributions to financial inclusion, leadership excellence, national development, and the advancement of women in business across the continent.

A multi-credentialed professional, Lady Ada holds an HND in Chemical Engineering from IMT Enugu, a Post-Graduate Diploma in Business Administration from Nnamdi Azikiwe University, a Diploma in Law from Lagos State University, and a Diploma in Mandarin from the Chinese Cultural University, Taipei. Her career began in Taiwan before she returned to Nigeria, rising to senior executive leadership within the Dozzy Group of Companies.

In August 2024, she was appointed Chairman of Keystone Bank by the Central Bank of Nigeria, a role in which she continues to demonstrate exceptional leadership and reform-driven governance. Her influence and impact were further acknowledged with an Honorary Doctorate Degree (Honoris Causa) from Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University in 2025.

The Chief Host of IWPC 2025 is Her Excellency, the First Lady of the Republic of The Gambia, while the Keynote Address will be delivered by Her Regal Majesty, Olori Temitope Ogunwusi, wife of His Imperial Majesty, the Ooni of Ife, Ojaja II.

This landmark anniversary edition of the International Women Power Conference will feature keynote speeches, high-level panel discussions, cultural showcases, transformative leadership dialogues, youth engagement sessions, and the prestigious Phenomenal 100 Women Awards Gala.

Lady Ada Chukwudozie’s participation stands as one of the major highlights of the event, symbolizing the conference’s commitment to celebrating excellence, elevating African women’s leadership, and driving impactful conversations for global progress.