Hope Alive Initiative to US: Nigeria Needs Partnership, Not Hostility

From Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi

The Hope Alive Initiative (HAI), a Civil Society organisation, has raised concern over the United States Government’s recent designation of Nigeria as a Country of Particular Concern (CPC).

In a statement released by its Director of Media and Communications, Ernest Omoarelojie, the group said the accompanying threat of military intervention poses a serious setback to Nigeria’s security and diplomatic efforts aimed at addressing its complex security challenges.

HAI acknowledged that extremist activities have led to devastating loss of lives but stressed that these incidents are more accurately described as outcomes of a complex, multi-layered crisis affecting Nigerians across all religious backgrounds.

“While we acknowledge with profound sorrow the murderous killings by extremist groups and the tragic loss of innocent lives, we must categorically state that the victims cut across all religious and ethnic divides.

“This is not a one-dimensional religious conflict but a complex, multidimensional security crisis affecting Christians, Muslims, and adherents of all faiths alike,” the group stated.

HAI urged President Donald Trump and the US government to adopt a cooperative rather than hostile approach, in line with America’s stance on global human rights protection, arguing that meaningful progress can only be achieved through partnership that enhances regional stability and strengthens the fight against terrorism.

“We therefore urge President Donald Trump and the US government to pursue collaboration rather than confrontation, working jointly with Nigeria to enhance regional stability, strengthen counter-terrorism efforts, and ensure the safety and security of all Nigerians,” the group appealed.

The organisation also emphasised Nigeria’s significant role as Africa’s most populous country, noting that it has consistently fulfilled its continental responsibilities—from championing decolonisation to contributing heavily to international peacekeeping missions.

It urged the international community to show understanding and cooperate with Nigeria as it works to resolve its security challenges.

The group further highlighted Nigeria’s ongoing counter-terrorism efforts, including strengthened intelligence and inter-agency coordination, community-based security strategies focused on early warnings and resilience, implementation of the National Counter-Terrorism Strategy, expansion of interfaith dialogue initiatives, and enhanced kinetic operations. These, it said, are more than sufficient grounds for Nigeria to be accorded the respect it deserves globally.

“Nigeria stands as Africa’s most populous nation. It has made enormous sacrifices in blood and treasure for African decolonisation, the emancipation of the black race, and peacekeeping operations in Sierra Leone, Liberia, and across the world. We deserve to be treated with respect and accorded our rightful place among the nations,” HAI stated.

The group added that contrary to suggestions of inaction, the Nigerian government has invested heavily in security through increased defence budgets, multiple military operations nationwide, and diverse non-kinetic strategies aimed at ensuring the protection of all citizens, irrespective of ethnicity or religion.

HAI, which champions good governance and development in Nigeria, therefore called for stronger global support as Nigeria intensifies diplomatic engagements with major allies including the US, UK, China, the EU, the African Union, and ECOWAS. It said such partnerships are essential for boosting intelligence sharing, strengthening border security, and enhancing capacity-building efforts.