https://www.cfr.org/blog/government-nigeria-versus-senator-ted-cruz
Nigerians in the United States can't continue to be asleep while others mischaracterize what's happening in our country to advance outsiders' narrow agendas.
Right now, there's renewed conversation in Washington about Nigeria, including proposals to designate it a Country of Particular Concern (CPC) under the International Religious Freedom Act.
Too often, these debates take place without our voices, without balance, and without context. If we stay silent, we lose control of our own story.
Our voice as Nigerians and Nigerian Americans matters. Each of us has a stake in how Nigeria is represented and how decisions made here affect lives back home. My hope is that more people begin taking an active role, especially by calling or writing to lawmakers to demand fairness, accuracy, and accountability.
What You Can Do Right Now
1. Call or Email Your Members of Congress
Find your representatives:
house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative
senate.gov/senators/senators-contact.htm
When you reach out, be polite, brief, and factual:
Say something like:
"My name is [Name], I live in [City, State]. I'm a constituent of [Rep/Senator Name].
I care about human rights and stability in Nigeria. I support religious freedom for all Nigerians, and I'm concerned that designating Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern could misrepresent the complex situation there.
Please ensure any policy decisions are based on verified evidence and balanced perspectives, not one-sided reports. I urge your office to promote accountability with cooperation, not punishment that harms civilians.
Tips:
• Calls and emails from constituents are logged and reported to members of Congress, they do count. Volume is important.
• Speak calmly, stay on message, and repeat your key point once.
• Leave your full name, city, and ZIP code.
2. Write a Short Email or Letter
Use your own words. Authenticity matters more than length.
You can say:
"I support human rights for all Nigerians and urge evidence-based U.S. policy that promotes peace, justice, and balanced engagement with Nigeria."
Keep it under 200 words. Staffers appreciate concise messages.
3. Spread Awareness
• Share this message on WhatsApp, X, or LinkedIn.
• Encourage others to make their calls — remind them every constituent's contact is tracked.
• Use hashtags like #NigeriansSpeakUp #NigeriaAdvocacy #FactsFirst #DiasporaForTruth
4. Connect and Organize
• Join or start a local diaspora group focused on civic education and policy awareness.
• Host online discussions or town halls explaining what CPC means and why balanced advocacy matters.
• Partner with credible human-rights or policy organizations to submit data, letters, or reports.
5. Encourage Policy Accountability
Ask Congress to:
• Require independent verification before any designation.
• Pair pressure with benchmarks and cooperation to strengthen Nigeria's justice system.
• Promote peacebuilding and rule of law, not religious polarization.
Silence is complicity. Not knowing what's going on, isn't an excuse, particularly for organizations that claim to do work on behalf of Nigerian Americans in the U.S.
I'm writing this as a fellow concerned Nigerian, while my ideas may not be perfect, they come from a place of deep care for our country and community. I'm simply trying to help start the conversation, and I welcome others who have more expertise or experience in advocacy work to build on this and make it stronger.
We don't all have to agree, but we do have to show up. If each of us contributes in small ways by calling, writing, or sharing verified information our collective effort can make a difference.
Let's make sure Nigeria's story is told truthfully, by those who actually understand it.
Regards
Nneka Achapu
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