Invasion Threat: Development expert writes Trump, seeks support for emergence of credible leaders in Nigeria

A transformational executive, Olatorera Oniru, has written to President Donald Trump, urging him to support the emergence of democratic, visionary, credible and people-centred leaders in the country.
In a letter addressed to Mr Trump on Sunday following his designation of Nigeria as a ‘Country of Particular Concern,’ Ms Oniru identified entrenched bad leadership as responsible for the country’s challenges, stressing principled engagement between the U.S. and Nigeria.
She said, “The greatest contribution the United States and all global allies can make at this pivotal moment is to support the genuine democratic emergence of visionary, credible and people-centered Nigerian leaders; not the preservation of a kleptocratic status quo that has entrenched poverty, division, and despair.”
Ms Oniru added, “While recent commentary has described Nigeria as being in crisis, the reality is that the country’s challenges are not of faith, but of governance, justice, and humanity itself. Christians, Muslims, and citizens of all backgrounds are daily subjected to violence, deprivation, and systemic neglect. Endowed with vibrant human capital, accomplished and dignified visionary leaders, and a rich cultural heritage, Nigeria’s promise has, for decades, been restrained by entrenched kleptocracy.”
She said that over 150 million Nigerians live in multidimensional poverty and 20 million Nigerian children were out of school, lamenting poor electricity in the country.
Ms Oniru noted that “Nigeria today faces a deeply serious crisis in which democratic processes have been violently hijacked, dissent is criminalized, and the will of the people is brutally suppressed, resulting in unspeakable hardship, widespread poverty, and countless untimely deaths.
“What Nigeria certainly does not need is further conflict, international suppression or to be taken advantage of. What Nigeria needs is explicitly visionary leadership.”
Ms Oniru demanded urgent action over the killings in Nigeria, urging the U.S. to support democratic advancements in the country.
“True partnership must empower integrity and merit, not those who have rigged themselves into power through corruption and coercion. Only through principled engagement and unwavering support for democracy can Nigeria’s citizens rebuild their nation in peace and dignity, free from the devastation of renewed conflict.
“Urgent action, for Christians and all Nigerians, should focus on powerful collaborations with reform-minded leaders who will restore institutions and create inclusive opportunities for all citizens,” Ms Oniru stated.
We have recently deactivated our website's comment provider in favour of other channels of distribution and commentary. We encourage you to join the conversation on our stories via our Facebook, Twitter and other social media pages.
More from Peoples Gazette

Agriculture
FG tasks ECOWAS on leveraging financing strategies for agroecology
The federal government has urged stakeholders in the agriculture and finance sectors in the West Africa region to leverage financing strategies to enhance agroecology practices

Politics
Katsina youths pledge to deliver over 2 million votes to Atiku
“Katsina State is Atiku’s political base because it is his second home.”

Economy
World’s largest energy event opens in Abu Dhabi, NNPC boss Ojulari to deliver keynote address
A high-level delegation from NNPCL, led by its GCEO, Bashir Ojulari, is attending the conference, with Ojulari scheduled to deliver a keynote address.

Education
NKFI secures NBTE approval for all courses, says rector
The rector of the institute, Charles Williams, disclosed this on Sunday in Lokoja.

Politics
Governor Diri rallies politicians to promote unity, development
Governor Douye Diri urged politicians to shun the bitter politics of division and instead work together to develop the state and the nation.

States
Two kidnapped victims freed in Kogi, army recovers multimillion-naira ransom
Troops of the 12 Brigade Nigerian Army, deployed at the forward operating base in Oguma, on Sunday, rescued two victims abandoned by suspected kidnappers in Kogi.

Rights
There could be U.S. troops on ground in Nigeria, air strikes, Trump declares
President Donald Trump has threatened to deploy troops to Nigeria or launch air strikes to halt what he described as the mass killing of Christians in the country.

Education
NSSEC, Canadian group sign MoU on secondary education reforms
The National Senior Secondary Education Commission has signed an MoU with the Early Childhood Development Initiative, a Canadian education group , on secondary education reforms.






