American rapper Nicki Minaj has explained why she publicly addressed the alleged persecution of Christians in Nigeria, citing personal ties to the country and reports of violence against worshippers.

Minaj, who has a Nigerian pastor and a large fan base in the country, described the reports of alleged kidnappings and killings of Christians during church activities as “outrageous” and emphasised that silence only emboldens oppression.

Minaj spoke on the issue during a surprise appearance at AmericaFest, stating, “Nigeria is a place I’ve always loved. Someone very dear to me, my pastor, is Nigerian, and I have lots of Nigerian barbs.

“So hearing that people are being kidnapped while they’re in church, people are being killed, brutalized, all because of their religion that should spark outrage.

“We’re not backing down anymore. We are not going to be silenced by the bullies anymore. We will speak up for Christians wherever they are in this world.

“We take for granted that there, right now in this world, are people who cannot worship God as they please, where they please.

“Every time we pray in fellowship, we have to remember the people that are right now in this world hiding to pray in fellowship, and we have to pray for them,” she said.

Minaj’s remarks come after she reacted to a social media post by US President Donald Trump, who claimed that “Christianity is facing an existential threat in Nigeria”.

She expressed gratitude for the freedom to worship in the US and condemned religious persecution.

She wrote, “Reading this made me feel a deep sense of gratitude. We live in a country where we can freely worship God. No group should ever be persecuted for practising their religion.

“Christians have been persecuted right here in our country in different ways. So when we talk about Nigeria and other countries, know that prior administrations saw nothing wrong with that, and that’s what was wrong with them,” she concluded.

The Nigerian government has consistently rejected claims of a coordinated or systematic genocide against Christians, describing such narratives as false and misleading.

Authorities attributed the security challenges to terrorism, banditry, and communal conflicts.

Singer and songwriter Simi has signed a five-year endorsement deal with Nigeria’s MOL Tech Accessories.

According to a statement made available to Ekwutosblog over the weekend, it was revealed that the partnership will birth the launch of MOL x SYMS, a collaboration that blends technology, lifestyle, and culture in fresh and innovative ways.

Speaking at the launch event, Simi described the partnership as a natural extension of shared creativity and vision.

“Working with MOL has been inspiring. We are building something special that reflects quality, accessibility, and creativity. Fans should be ready for products and experiences they can truly connect with,” she added.

Chief Executive Officer of MOL Tech Accessories, Sanmi Oladunni, emphasised the broader significance of the collaboration, saying, “Many people have lost trust in local brands, and we want to change that narrative. Partnering with Simi brings passion, credibility, and imagination. Together, we want to prove that Nigerian brands can deliver excellence and inspire confidence.”

Since launching over two years ago, MOL has expanded operations to 27 states across Nigeria. MOL produces high-quality chargers, cables, power banks, earphones, and headsets, backed by an 18-stage quality assurance process that ensures every product meets international standards.

Jake Paul has confirmed he underwent surgery for a broken jaw following his knockout loss to former heavyweight champion Anthony Joshua on Friday night in Miami.

The much-hyped bout, streamed on Netflix, ended in the sixth round after Joshua landed a crushing right hand that sent Paul crashing to the canvas at the Kaseya Center. The punch effectively ended the fight and, as later confirmed, broke Paul’s jaw, New York Post reported.

Speaking immediately after the fight, Paul admitted he believed his jaw was broken. Hours later, he took to social media to confirm he had gone under the knife.

“Just got out of surgery. Everything went smooth,” Paul wrote. “Lots of pain and stiffness. I have to eat liquids for seven days. Two titanium plates on each side. Some teeth removed.”

He also thanked the medical team at Miami University Hospital for their care.

Despite the outcome, Paul managed to last longer than many expected. He evaded Joshua for the first four rounds and even landed a few shots before tiring badly in the fifth round, where he was knocked down twice. Two more knockdowns followed in the sixth, forcing the referee to stop the contest.

The loss leaves Paul facing a recovery period away from the ring, while Joshua moves on with renewed momentum after the win.

Watch fight highlights below;