By Achadu Gabriel, Kaduna
Southern Kaduna Christian leader, Apostle Dr. Emmanuel Nuhu Kure, has described the recent designation of Nigeria as a “Country of Concern” by former U.S. President Donald J. Trump as a long-overdue recognition of the challenges faced by Christians in Northern Nigeria.
Apostle Kure, who chairs the Southern Kaduna Christian Leaders Association (SKCLA) and is a former National Secretary of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), made this known in a statement personally signed by him and shared with journalists in Kaduna on Tuesday.
He said the designation reflects international acknowledgment of the “plight of Christians in Northern Nigeria,” which, according to him, has been neglected by successive administrations.
“At last, someone, somewhere, has taken notice of the plight of Christians in Northern Nigeria — a plight our own government has consistently failed to acknowledge, let alone address,” he stated.
Apostle Kure lamented that Christians in the North have been abandoned by the very government meant to protect them, accusing both political and religious leaders of paying lip service to peace and human rights.
He further alleged that Christians in Northern Nigeria face systematic marginalization through land seizures, political exclusion, and restrictions on religious expression.
“In many northern cities and universities, such as Bayero University in Kano and Usman Danfodio University in Sokoto, churches are not allowed to be built, while mosques are permitted. This discrimination encourages ideologies hostile to Christianity,” he said.
Kure questioned the disparity between northern and southern Nigeria, noting that such restrictions do not exist in the South. He called on the Federal Government to establish an independent inquiry to investigate what he termed “religious persecution and systematic discrimination” in the region.
He also condemned the persistent violence in Benue, Plateau, and Southern Kaduna, describing it as a targeted campaign against Christian communities.
“The killings in Benue and Plateau, where there is no evidence of theft or criminality, reveal a scorched-earth campaign against Christian populations. The persistent killing of pastors and the neglect of key infrastructure in these regions demonstrate a lack of political will to act,” he said.
While criticizing federal inaction, Apostle Kure commended the Kaduna State Government for taking initial steps toward peace and reform, urging the administration to sustain efforts that promote fairness and justice.
He called on Nigerian churches to take a more active role in advocating for religious equality and human rights, stating that “silence only emboldens persecution.”
“Sometimes, only external forces like Trump’s bold stance can make us confront our reflection since we appear incapable of doing so ourselves,” he added.
Concluding, Kure said Africa’s rebirth must begin with Nigeria, calling on leaders to act decisively against division and injustice.
“Our leaders must act, whether our politicians are ready or not, for time is running out. The moment of reckoning is now,” he emphasized.
