American rapper Nicki Minaj has revealed that her Nigerian pastor influenced her decision to speak out about the alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria, calling on celebrities and social media influencers to raise awareness about the situation.
Minaj made the remarks during an X Takeover event at Tesla’s Giga Texas facility in Austin, Texas, on Saturday, where she discussed her connection to Nigeria and expressed concern over reports of violence against Christians.
The rapper said her pastor’s Nigerian background and her Nigerian fans had strengthened her connection to the country.
Minaj said: “For Nigeria personally, my pastor is from Nigeria, so I have a link to Nigeria because of him.
“And of course, I have a lot of Nigerian barbs, but what I started seeing was the brutality with which Christians are being treated there just for being Christian.”
The entertainer, who refers to her fans as Barbz, questioned why reports of attacks on Christians had not attracted greater public attention, arguing that people sometimes avoid speaking about issues they consider unpopular.
She added: “And I thought, why isn’t anyone making a big deal out of this, you know?
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“And sometimes when things aren’t cool to talk about, people don’t talk about it.”
Minaj, who has become one of the outspoken international figures on alleged Christian persecution in Nigeria, said she hoped more public figures would use their platforms to highlight the issue.
She said: “So right now, actually, I’m hoping that more celebrities or people, influencers, I’m hoping that they come aboard the train to start speaking out about what’s happening to Christians in Nigeria.
“And I look forward to doing more to help in that way, in that cause.”
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