The All Progressives Congress, APC, in the United States has requested to testify at the US House Subcommittee on Africa today (Thursday).

This is as American lawmakers review former President Donald Trump’s redesignation of Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern”, CPC, over alleged religious persecution.

APC USA, in a letter to the Subcommittee Chairman, Rep. Chris Smith, said it was prepared to send a high-level delegation to present what it described as “firsthand intelligence and verifiable data” on Nigeria’s security realities.

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Chairman of the APC USA, Prof Tai Balofin, confirmed the request in a statement in Abuja, saying the group hoped to provide clarity on what it views as misconceptions surrounding Nigeria’s security challenges.

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“We support religious freedom for all Nigerians, but narratives abroad often fail to reflect the full complexity of the crisis.

“The insecurity in Nigeria is driven by banditry, resource conflict, climate pressures and transnational crime-not solely by religious persecution. Congress deserves the complete picture before reaching conclusions,” he said.

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According to him, the proposed testimony would also highlight what the group sees as security gains under President Bola Tinubu’s administration.

The APC USA delegation also plans to recommend deeper US–Nigeria cooperation on security, intelligence sharing and humanitarian support.

The call for testimony comes shortly after Nigeria criticised the United States for excluding it from a UN event hosted by American rapper Nicki Minaj, which focused on alleged killings of Nigerians from a particular faith group.

Osahon Enabulele Foundation, (DOEF), has given reason for organising interschool secondary schools debate in Edo State, saying it was “conceived to tackle the negative narrative surrounding the value of education among the younger generation.”

The Director—General of the foundation, Dr. Osahon Enabulele, stated this at the grand finale of the maiden edition of the debate held in Benin on Wednesday.

The competition, titled: “If education is a scam or not” was informed by the social-economic reality with students demonstrating impressive intellectual competition and depth.

Enabulele stressed that the debate was aimed at promoting intellectual development, encouraging civic engagement and public speaking, and fostering leadership qualities and critical thinking.

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He added that the foundation, established nine months ago, was driven by strategic pillars that include leadership and governance, health, education, policy advocacy and social philanthropy.

According to him, many young people are becoming disillusioned by society’s “defective role modelling” and the “unfortunate reward for individuals with questionable sources of wealth,”

He said, “The debate is totally driven by the Foundation as a deliberate interventionist initiative that seeks to reverse the worrisome negative narrative about education, particularly amongst our upcoming generations, including our youths who are increasingly becoming victims of our society’s defective role modelling and unfortunate reward for individuals with very questionable sources of wealth, with leadership and societal positions. Our younger ones are truly becoming disillusioned as a result of these inanities.

“Some no longer think it is worthwhile to acquire education or task their brains in any way. This debate initiative is therefore our Foundation’s committed efforts to contribute to the reversal of this worrisome trend and mindset affliction.”

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The interschool debate saw Eghosa Grammar School clinching the N1m star prize while other winners were also presented with a certificate of participation, books and other sundry items.

The outstanding speakers during the debate also went home with cash prizes ranging from N100,000 to N200, 000.

Former lawmaker, Shehu Sani, has criticised United States President Donald Trump’s approach to global relations, alleging a double standard in the way he engages with different regions of the world.

In a statement posted on X on Wednesday, Sani said Trump had secured a trillion-dollar deal from Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and consistently defended the kingdom, while raising issues of human rights, terrorism and religious persecution only when dealing with African leaders.

According to him, no African, European or Latin American nation could offer Trump the kind of financial leverage that oil-rich Arab states provide.

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Sani’s remarks come amid Trump’s recent threat of military action in Nigeria over allegations of Christian genocide.

The former lawmaker argued that in a materially driven world, “a poor man is already a sinner,” suggesting that economic power continues to shape international attitudes and interventions.

He wrote: “Mr Trump got a deal of a trillion dollar from Bin Salman and defended everything about Saudi Arabia. No African, European or Latin American country can give him that.

“When they are talking with oil rich Arab countries, issues of human rights, executions, terrorism and religion doesn’t come up, until they meet with African leaders and start asking them where they learned ‘how to speak English’. In a material World, a poor man is already a sinner.”