The Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) has firmly rejected allegations of a Christian genocide in Nigeria, labeling them as deliberate misinformation designed to create division and worsen instability.
In a communiqué on Tuesday, the regional body stated that extremist networks in Nigeria and other parts of West Africa attack people indiscriminately, regardless of their faith.
It cited independent reports confirming that terrorist violence affects Muslims, Christians, and followers of traditional religions alike.
ECOWAS urged the United Nations and international partners to help member states fight terrorism and to dismiss as entirely false any claims that militant groups target a single religious community.
The bloc described such narratives as “false and dangerous” tactics that deepen insecurity and weaken social cohesion.
The statement concluded with an appeal for continued international support in the joint fight against terrorism and violent extremism.
ECOWAS’s position comes in response to recent controversial remarks from former U.S. President Donald Trump, who threatened military action and aid cuts to Nigeria over the alleged persecution of Christians.
Dele Fashomi, seasoned journalist and communication teacher, is a holder of Master of Arts degree in Communication and Language Arts from the University of Ibadan in 1992/93.
Earlier, he had bagged a Bachelor degree from the same university in 1984, after which he proceeded to the Nigerian Institute of Journalism, Lagos, in 1990, for a postgraduate diploma in Journalism.
He had done many courses in communication, including the EU-BBC Editing Course in 2002.
Mr. Fashomi combines effectively the practice, research and teaching of communication. And to date, he has published two academic works in communication: Issues in Communication Technology and Policy (2010) and Economic and Social Issues in Advertising and PR (2013).
He had his first break in the Nigerian media in Concord Newspapers in 1990 and today, he has over two and half decades experience earned in several newspapers.
He has been part of many start-ups, such as The Republic (1987), The Comet (1999), The Anchor 2001 – 2002; Sun Newspapers (2003); Westerner newsmagazine (2005 – 2010) as Editor; National Life (2011) as Sunday Editor, and Newswatch Newspapers (2012- 2016) as Daily Editor.
Dele Fashomi is now the Publisher/Editor-in-Chief of Newstide247.com newspaper online, which he started in July 2015. He is also into biography writing, with many books in his trail, some of which he wrote alone and one he co- authored with his mentor, Mr Dare Babarinsa, entitled: Olabiyi Durojaiye – DARE TO BE DiFFERENT. He also guided and collaborated with Pa Olatunji Odusanya in writing his autobiography – AGAINST ALL ODDS. There are many other books in the works under his pen.
