By Christopher Sunday
Every serious nation must learn to respond wisely when the world begins to speak about its affairs. The recent remarks by President Donald Trump on Nigeria should not be ignored or treated as another episode in the global news cycle. Whether we agree with his position or not, his comments have placed Nigeria under global scrutiny once again.
This is not the time for silence or denial. It is the time for national engagement, diplomacy, and internal reflection. Shouldn’t the Nigerian government immediately open lines of communication with President Trump and the American establishment? Shouldn’t our religious leaders, who command moral influence both at home and abroad, be part of a strategic delegation to clarify Nigeria’s reality and defend our national integrity?
The truth is that silence in moments like this is dangerous. Once other nations begin to define your story, you lose the moral and diplomatic space to control your own narrative. Nigeria must not allow that to happen. The government must speak clearly, calmly, and confidently to protect the nation’s image and sovereignty.
And where are our journalists? Journalism in Nigeria must rise above the shallow obsession with APC, PDP, ADC, Wike, and the 2027 elections. This is the time for investigative minds, patriotic pens, and courageous voices. The duty of journalism is not to echo politicians but to challenge them. Journalists should set the national agenda, not follow it.
Today, our country needs writers, analysts, and broadcasters who can interpret global events with clarity and bring home the urgency of national reform. The world is discussing Nigeria, but Nigerian journalists are busy debating party decamping and political gossip. This is unacceptable. Journalism must regain its soul and purpose.
And what about the 10th National Assembly? What exactly are they doing? We have reached a point where Nigerians must ask hard questions about those occupying the hallowed chambers. This moment reveals, more than ever, the need for serious-minded, intelligent, and patriotic lawmakers who can think beyond the next election.
Sadly, what we have today are legislators who seem more interested in sharing palliatives than shaping policy. Lawmakers who prioritize politicking over repositioning the country. Legislators who measure their relevance by how many times they switch parties, not by how many lives they impact.
Tell me, do we truly have any members of the National Assembly who can stand before the world and intelligently defend Nigeria’s unity, policies, and direction? Can they navigate this storm with strategic wisdom? The absence of strong, visionary voices in our legislature is becoming a national embarrassment.
We cannot continue this way. Nigeria needs thinkers, not traders in politics. We need lawmakers who read, research, and reflect; leaders who understand the weight of history and the importance of defending the nation’s image abroad.
President Tinubu and his team must act fast. They must engage our religious and moral leaders in constructive diplomacy. They must empower professionals who can communicate effectively with the global community. They must encourage journalists to play their role in nation-building.
The time to act is now. The silence of the media and the complacency of the legislature are dangerous. We must speak, write, and act as one people determined to protect our nation from external manipulation and internal decay.
Nigeria cannot afford to wait until others tell our story the wrong way. Let our leaders rise. Let our journalists wake up. Let our National Assembly think beyond palliatives and politics. The world is watching, and history is taking notes.