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Nigeria’s Conflict Is Not a Holy War — The Vatican Reminds the World

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Nigeria’s Conflict not a Holy War”, says Vatican Secretary of State, Cardinal Pietro Parolin

_The Vatican’s call for nuance exposes how foreign lobbyists have turned faith into an instrument of politics._

By O’tega Ogra

 

*Cardinal Pietro Parolin’s remarks on Nigeria’s violence were calm and factual, yet they disrupted an entire industry of outrage. His insistence that the crisis is social, not religious, has revealed how global lobbying is reshaping Nigeria’s story for profit.

 

Cardinal Pietro Parolin’s recent comments on Nigeria’s violence did not make headlines because they were loud. They made them because they were true. At the Rome launch of Aid to the Church in Need’s 2025 Religious Freedom Report, the Vatican Secretary of State described the conflict tearing through Nigeria as a social crisis, not a holy war. He said extremist groups make no distinction between Christians and Muslims, and that many Muslims are themselves victims of the same violence. It was a simple statement, yet it challenged months of foreign storytelling that has cast Nigeria as a nation at war with its faiths.

Inside Nigeria, Parolin’s words resonated with those who live the consequences of the conflict. Reverend Joseph Hayab, chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria in Northern Nigeria, said that the killings have long since crossed religious lines. “These terrorists moved beyond just killing Christians and started killing virtually everybody,” he said. “Mosques have also come under attack, and they kill Muslims who do not agree with them.”

From the Muslim community, the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has repeatedly cautioned that there is no genocide against any group in Nigeria. He warned that careless language and imported labels could inflame tension and undo years of interfaith peacebuilding. Professor Khalid Aliyu, Secretary General of Jama’atu Nasril Islam, has said the same that criminals should be treated as criminals, not as representatives of any faith. Together, they paint a picture more complex than the one exported abroad.

Marta Petrosillo, author of Aid to the Church in Need’s Religious Freedom Report whose report was used by some lobbyist to counter the Cardinal, later clarified that Parolin’s comments had been taken out of context. In her interview on EWTN, she said Cardinal Parolin’s speech was one of the strongest defences of religious freedom, and it also recognised the layered social and economic causes of Nigeria’s insecurity. The report itself recorded violations across faiths, noting that both Christians and Muslims who reject extremist ideology are being targeted.

That nuance, however, was quickly drowned out in Washington. For months, lobbyists tied to the self-styled Biafra Republic Government-in-Exile an affiliate of the proscribed IPOB began citing Nigeria as a country persecuting Christians. Public filings under the U.S. Department of Justice show that Moran Global Strategies is registered to represent that group. Its leader, Simon Ekpa, was convicted in Finland this year for terrorism-related offences linked to deadly attacks in Nigeria’s southeast mostly against christians. Yet, in Washington, the same network funds lobbying efforts under the banner of religious freedom and self-determination.

Documents filed under the U.S. Foreign Agents Registration Act describe the firm’s mission as advocacy for human rights. Those words now appear almost verbatim in congressional briefings from US congressmen including Senator Ted Cruz of Texas who is said to have met with the group’s representatives, and press statements. The pattern is unmistakable: a proscribed group using paid lobbying to recast its armed campaign against Christians as a moral crusade for christians. By turning terrorism into advocacy, it becomes easier to attract sympathy, funding, and foreign political cover.

Independent data from the Armed Conflict Location and Event Data Project show that over seven thousand Nigerians were killed in violent incidents in the past year. That is about 319,000 deaths less than the number of those killed by gun violence in the US in 2025 alone. The dead in Nigeria include Christians, Muslims, and those of no faith. Most attacks were driven by local resource disputes, criminal gangs, Sahel terrorism and manipulation. To call that a “Christian genocide,” as some lobby groups like MGS do, is to erase the wider truth of shared suffering.

The Vatican’s message, far from political, was moral. It called for empathy without distortion. Nigerian faith leaders have made the same appeal. Across Plateau, Kaduna, and Niger States, Christian and Muslim groups continue joint peace initiatives, rarely noticed by the international press. Their work is slow and human, grounded in community rather than ideology.

Those who profit from inflamed narratives have no patience for that kind of truth. They rely on foreign outrage to raise funds and on simplistic headlines to sustain relevance. In that economy, suffering becomes strategy, and faith becomes a tool of influence.

Cardinal Parolin’s statement was not a denial of persecution. It was a defence of proportion. Every life lost in Nigeria, be they Christian, Muslim, or otherwise, carries the same value. To frame the entire crisis as the persecution of one faith is to trade truth for convenience and compassion for politics. Nigeria’s conflict was never a holy war. It is a human one. And until the world learns to see it that way, the merchants of distortion will keep finding buyers.

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Liberian Leaders, Citizens Bear Witness as Apostle Suleman Hosts Two-Day Power-Packed Crusade

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Liberian Leaders, Citizens Bear Witness as Apostle Suleman Hosts Two-Day Power-Packed Crusade

 

It was testimonies galore on Tuesday, March 31, the first day of the famous servant of God and founder of the Omega Fire Ministries (OFM) worldwide, Apostle Johnson Suleman’s power-packed two-day crusade. The event documented impactful moments with the Gospel and miracles, emphasizing the power of faith and the tangible confirmation of God’s Word through signs and wonders. It was equally an atmosphere of miraculous healing, restoration of lives, and the strengthening of faith.

 

At the crusade, which was held at the SKD Sports Stadium in Paynesville City, and themed, “Liberia Outpouring Crusade” witnessed testimonies of impact and miracles with participants experiencing instant healing of various kinds of challenges.

 

Apostle Suleman’s first port of call was Paynesville, the office of Liberian government’s president, Mr. Joseph Nyuma Boakai, who received him in an audience with his junior ministers. Apostle Suleman, who also met with the vice-president, Mr. Jeremiah Kpan Koung, was welcomed by the Liberian leader’s office as part of the president’s ongoing engagements with religious leaders aimed at fostering spiritual support for national development.

 

The president expressed profound appreciation to Apostle Suleman for the visit and continued prayers and intercessions by men and women of God on behalf of Liberia, emphasizing his firm belief that sustained spiritual guidance and prayer remain vital to the transformation and progress of the nation.

 

During the visit, Apostle Suleman offered prayers for President Boakai, his cabinet and the Liberian nation, invoking divine alignment, wisdom, and insight in Liberia’s path toward growth and stability. He prayed that the Almighty God would position Liberia for relevance and fulfillment of its national destiny.

 

Apostle Johnson Suleman, an evangelist who knows no bounds of where preaching the gospel comes to a stop, visited Liberia prepared with the message, compelling power of the Gospel and the work of the Holy Spirit, and bringing people to a point of decision where they surrendered their lives to Christ.

 

Aside from being prophetic and timely, OFM sources disclosed that the servant of God’s visit underscores the importance of faith-based partnerships in supporting governance and national renewal efforts.

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Middle Belt Forum Hails Tinubu’s Jos Visit, Calls for United Civil-Military Effort to Restore Lasting Peace

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*Middle Belt Forum Hails Tinubu’s Jos Visit, Calls for United Civil-Military Effort to Restore Lasting Peace

 

The Middle Belt Peace Forum (MBPF) has commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for his profound demonstration of empathy and responsive leadership following his decision to postpone an official engagement in Iperu in order to visit victims of the recent attacks in Jos.

In a statement signed by its National Coordinator, Pastor Bulus Garba, in Jos on Friday, the Forum said the President’s decision to personally identify with grieving communities sends a powerful message of solidarity and reinforces public confidence in the commitment of the Federal Government to the protection of lives and property.

“The Middle Belt Peace Forum warmly commends President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for prioritising compassion over ceremony. At a time of deep sorrow for the people of Plateau State, his decision to visit Jos stands as a mark of true leadership—one that listens, responds, and stands with the people in their moment of pain,” the statement read.

The Forum described the perpetrators of the recent attacks as “cowards who prey on innocent and defenceless citizens,” stressing that such acts of violence are not only inhumane but also a direct assault on the unity and peace of the nation.

“We condemn in the strongest terms the actions of these cowardly attackers whose only aim is to instil fear and destabilise peaceful communities. Their actions must be met with firm and decisive resistance from all arms of the state,” Pastor Garba said.

The MBPF further used the opportunity to salute the courage, gallantry, and sacrifices of the Armed Forces of Nigeria under the leadership of the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, noting that their continued efforts remain central to restoring stability across troubled parts of the country.

According to the Forum, the Armed Forces have demonstrated resilience and professionalism in the face of complex security challenges, often operating under difficult conditions to safeguard communities and defend Nigeria’s territorial integrity.

“We salute the Armed Forces of Nigeria for their unwavering commitment and sacrifices. Their gallantry in confronting criminal elements and reclaiming territories is a testament to their dedication to national service. We recognise that the path to peace is demanding, and we honour those who stand daily in defence of our nation,” the statement added.

The Forum pledged its full support to ongoing military operations and called for strengthened collaboration between security agencies and local communities as a critical factor in achieving lasting peace.

It also urged citizens across the Middle Belt to cooperate with security forces by providing timely information and fostering unity within their communities.

The MBPF, however, expressed concern over the need for greater synergy among security agencies, particularly the role of the Nigeria Police in consolidating gains made by the military.

“We call on the Nigeria Police Force to rise fully to its constitutional responsibility by effectively supporting the Armed Forces in stabilising and securing areas that have been cleared of criminal elements. Holding and policing such territories is essential to preventing a resurgence of violence,” Pastor Garba stated.

The Forum emphasised that sustainable peace requires a coordinated approach in which the military clears and secures areas, while the police maintain law and order to enable displaced communities to return and rebuild their lives.

The MBPF concluded by reiterating its commitment to peacebuilding efforts across the Middle Belt and expressed optimism that with sustained leadership, coordinated security efforts, and active citizen participation, lasting peace can be achieved.

“Together, through unity, vigilance, and collective resolve, we can overcome these challenges and build a safer and more peaceful Middle Belt,” the statement added.

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Governor Dauda Lawal Wins Face of Africa Governor of the Year Award in London

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Governor Dauda Lawal Wins Face of Africa Governor of the Year Award in London

 

Governor Dauda Lawal has been honored with the Outstanding Governor of the Year award by Triangle Media International Magazine.

 

The award was presented during the magazine’s 10th annual lecture and award ceremony, held on Thursday at the Grand Hall of King’s College, London, United Kingdom.

 

According to a statement by the governor’s spokesperson, Sulaiman Bala Idris, the awards recognize public and private sector leaders whose leadership positively impacts governance and service delivery.

 

He added that the lecture, themed “Harnessing the Roles of Nigerians in Diaspora for National Development,” brought together stakeholders from both the public and private sectors.

 

The statement read in part: “Yesterday, in London, Governor Dauda Lawal received the 2026 Face of Africa Leadership Award for Outstanding Governor of the Year.

 

“The 2026 edition coincides with the 10th anniversary of Triangle International Magazine, which has over the years celebrated notable Africans across diverse fields.

 

“The award recognizes the Zamfara State Government under Governor Lawal’s leadership for achieving remarkable milestones in service delivery since his inauguration on 29 May 2023.

 

“The board of Triangle International noted that, despite inheriting an empty treasury, Governor Dauda Lawal has remained true to the Rescue Agenda’s campaign promise: to rescue and rebuild Zamfara.

 

“The award also reflects the state government’s innovative approach to indirectly curbing insecurity through educational advancement, demonstrated by the declaration of a state of emergency in the education sector.

 

“This includes the state government’s swift payment of the outstanding N3.4 billion for WAEC and NECO examinations, as well as the reconstruction and rehabilitation of schools across all 14 Local Government Areas of Zamfara State.

 

“The international magazine finds these initiatives to be strategic interventions toward long-term efforts to make Zamfara State better.”

 

The colourful event was attended by the Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, and Sahara Group’s Group Managing Director, Kola Adesina, among others.

 

Governor Dauda Lawal Wins Face of Africa Governor of the Year Award in London

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