FAITH AND SECURITY

 

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Reflections on 

Our Delegation Visit 

and the Dialogue 

on Faith and Security

By Theresa Okafor*

When I announced that I would be leading a delegation of Nigerian parliamentarians to engage in dialogue and network with our partners abroad, some who might have used the opportunity to seek direct insights—particularly on issues such as the persecution of Christians—chose to remain silent. Nevertheless, the visit proved to be a tremendous success, thanks to the steadfast support of many valued friends and institutions. Special recognition goes to Congressman Chris Smith, whom we fondly regard as our “Goodwill Ambassador.” I first met Congressman Smith during his inspiring visit to Nigeria decades ago—an encounter that helped shape the founding of the Foundation for African Cultural Heritage. His wife, Marie Smith, despite preparing for surgery, ensured our gracious welcome at Capitol Hill, where the Congressman himself took time to meet and address our team. I extend my deepest appreciation to the U.S. Department of State for hosting and facilitating with their 13-member delegation. and to Grace Merton, James Carafano , Delano Squires of the Heritage Foundation for their warm collaboration. I am also profoundly grateful to Dr. Alveda King for her enduring guidance; to Sharon Slater, her husband, and their remarkable church team for effectively engaging our parliamentarians; and to the BYU Utah, House of Representatives, Utah who received our delegation with exceptional hospitality. My sincere thanks as well to former colleagues at our Nigerian embassies in New York and Atlanta, and to the U.S.A Chamber of Commerce, for their invaluable reception throughout the visit.

Our discussions on the subject of Christian persecution were both enlightening and sobering. Delegates representing every region of Nigeria, including the North East, acknowledged the complexity of the issue—one that cannot be reduced to simplistic narratives. Yet, denial serves no one. The crisis that began even before the abduction of the Chibok girls persists today, demanding renewed commitment and courage.

Nigeria possesses the capacity to end the killings and kidnappings that continue to afflict our people. However, if domestic efforts fall short, we must be willing to seek meaningful international partnership—even from allies such as President Trump—in pursuit of peace, justice, and the protection of human dignity.

 Réflexions sur la visite de notre délégation et le dialogue sur la foi et la sécurité

 Lorsque j'ai annoncé que je conduirais une délégation de parlementaires nigérians afin d'engager un dialogue et de créer des liens avec nos partenaires à l'étranger, certains, qui auraient pu profiter de cette occasion pour obtenir des informations directes – notamment sur des questions telles que la persécution des chrétiens – ont préféré garder le silence. Néanmoins, la visite s'est avérée un immense succès, grâce au soutien indéfectible de nombreux amis et institutions précieux. Je tiens à remercier tout particulièrement le député Chris Smith, que nous considérons comme notre « Ambassadeur de bonne volonté ». J'ai rencontré le député Smith pour la première fois lors de sa visite inspirante au Nigéria il y a plusieurs décennies – une rencontre qui a contribué à la création de la Fondation pour le patrimoine culturel africain. Son épouse, Marie Smith, malgré une intervention chirurgicale imminente, nous a chaleureusement accueillis au Capitole, où le député a pris le temps de rencontrer notre équipe et de s'adresser à elle. J'exprime ma plus profonde gratitude au Département d'État américain pour son accueil et son soutien auprès de sa délégation de 13 membres, ainsi qu'à Grace Merton, James Carafano et Delano Squires de la Fondation pour le patrimoine pour leur précieuse collaboration. Je suis également profondément reconnaissante à la Dre Alveda King pour ses précieux conseils ; à Sharon Slater, son époux et leur remarquable équipe paroissiale pour leur engagement efficace auprès de nos parlementaires ; et à l'Université Brigham Young (Utah) et à la Chambre des représentants de l'Utah, qui ont accueilli notre délégation avec une hospitalité exceptionnelle. J'adresse également mes sincères remerciements à mes anciens collègues des ambassades du Nigéria à New York et à Atlanta, ainsi qu'à la Chambre de commerce des États-Unis, pour leur accueil chaleureux tout au long de notre visite.

Nos discussions sur la persécution des chrétiens ont été à la fois instructives et alarmantes. Les délégués représentant toutes les régions du Nigéria, y compris le Nord-Est, ont reconnu la complexité du problème, qui ne saurait se réduire à des récits simplistes. Pourtant, le déni ne profite à personne. La crise qui a débuté avant même l'enlèvement des filles de Chibok persiste aujourd'hui, exigeant un engagement et un courage renouvelés.

Le Nigéria a la capacité de mettre fin aux meurtres et aux enlèvements qui continuent de frapper notre peuple. Toutefois, si les efforts nationaux s'avèrent insuffisants, nous devons être prêts à rechercher un véritable partenariat international – même auprès d'alliés comme le président Trump – dans la poursuite de la paix, de la justice et de la protection de la dignité humaine.

Reflexiones sobre la visita de nuestra delegación 

y el diálogo sobre fe y seguridad

 Cuando anuncié que encabezaría una delegación de parlamentarios nigerianos para dialogar y establecer contactos con nuestros socios en el extranjero, algunos que podrían haber aprovechado la oportunidad para obtener información directa —en particular sobre temas como la persecución de los cristianos— optaron por guardar silencio. Sin embargo, la visita resultó ser un rotundo éxito, gracias al firme apoyo de muchos amigos e instituciones valiosos. Un reconocimiento especial al congresista Chris Smith, a quien consideramos con cariño nuestro «Embajador de Buena Voluntad». Conocí al congresista Smith durante su inspiradora visita a Nigeria hace décadas, un encuentro que contribuyó a la creación de la Fundación para el Patrimonio Cultural Africano. Su esposa, Marie Smith, a pesar de estar preparándose para una cirugía, nos brindó una cálida bienvenida en el Capitolio, donde el propio congresista se tomó el tiempo para reunirse con nuestro equipo y dirigirles unas palabras. Expreso mi más profundo agradecimiento al Departamento de Estado de los Estados Unidos por acoger y facilitar la labor de su delegación de 13 miembros. Agradezco a Grace Merton, James Carafano y Delano Squires de la Fundación Heritage por su cálida colaboración. También estoy profundamente agradecido a la Dra. Alveda King por su constante guía; a Sharon Slater, su esposo y su extraordinario equipo eclesiástico por su eficaz labor con nuestros parlamentarios; y a la Cámara de Representantes de Utah de la Universidad Brigham Young, que recibió a nuestra delegación con excepcional hospitalidad. Mi sincero agradecimiento, asimismo, a mis antiguos colegas de las embajadas nigerianas en Nueva York y Atlanta, y a la Cámara de Comercio de Estados Unidos, por su inestimable acogida durante toda la visita.

 Nuestros debates sobre la persecución de los cristianos fueron a la vez esclarecedores y aleccionadores. Los delegados que representaban a todas las regiones de Nigeria, incluido el noreste, reconocieron la complejidad del problema, que no puede reducirse a relatos simplistas. Sin embargo, la negación no beneficia a nadie. La crisis que comenzó incluso antes del secuestro de las niñas de Chibok persiste hoy en día, exigiendo un compromiso y una valentía renovados. Nigeria tiene la capacidad de poner fin a los asesinatos y secuestros que siguen azotando a nuestra población. Sin embargo, si los esfuerzos nacionales resultan insuficientes, debemos estar dispuestos a buscar una alianza internacional significativa —incluso con aliados como el presidente Trump— en pos de la paz, la justicia y la protección de la dignidad humana.

 Riflessioni sulla visita della nostra delegazione 

e sul dialogo su fede e sicurezza

Quando ho annunciato che avrei guidato una delegazione di parlamentari nigeriani a impegnarsi nel dialogo e in rete con i nostri partner all'estero, alcuni che avrebbero potuto sfruttare l'opportunità per cercare informazioni dirette, in particolare su questioni come la persecuzione dei cristiani, hanno scelto di rimanere in silenzio. Tuttavia, la visita si è rivelata un grande successo, grazie al costante sostegno di molti amici e istituzioni. Un riconoscimento speciale va al deputato Chris Smith, che consideriamo con affetto il nostro "Ambasciatore di buona volontà. ” Ho incontrato per la prima volta il deputato Smith durante la sua  visita in Nigeria decenni fa, un incontro che ha contribuito a plasmare la fondazione della Fondazione per il patrimonio culturale africano. Sua moglie, Marie Smith, nonostante si fosse preparata per l'intervento chirurgico, ha garantito il nostro gentile benvenuto a Capitol Hill, dove il deputato stesso si è preso del tempo per incontrare e rivolgersi alla nostra Estendo il mio più profondo apprezzamento al Dipartimento di Stato degli Stati Uniti per aver ospitato e agevolato con la loro delegazione di 13 membri. e a Grace Merton, James Carafano, Delano Squires della Heritage Foundation per la loro calorosa collaborazione. Sono anche profondamente grato alla dottoressa Alveda King per la sua guida duratura; a Sharon Slater, suo marito e alla loro straordinaria squadra della chiesa per aver efficacemente coinvolto i nostri parlamentari; e alla Camera dei Rappresentanti dello Utah, che ha ricevuto la nostra delegazione con eccezionale ospitalità. I miei più sinceri ringraziamenti agli ex colleghi delle nostre ambasciate nigeriane a New York e Atlanta, e alla Camera di Commercio degli Stati Uniti, per la loro preziosa accoglienza durante tutta la visita.

Le nostre discussioni sul tema della persecuzione cristiana sono state sia illuminanti che sobrie. I delegati che rappresentano ogni regione della Nigeria, compreso il Nord Est, hanno riconosciuto la complessità della questione, che non può essere ridotta a narrazioni semplicistiche. Eppure, la negazione non serve a nessuno. La crisi iniziata ancor prima del rapimento delle ragazze Chibok persiste ancora oggi, chiedendo rinnovato impegno e coraggio.

La Nigeria possiede la capacità di porre fine alle uccisioni e ai rapimenti che continuano ad affliggere la nostra gente. Tuttavia, se gli sforzi interni non sono sufficienti, dobbiamo essere disposti a cercare un partenariato internazionale significativo, anche da alleati come il Presidente Trump, per perseguire la pace, la giustizia e la protezione della dignità umana.

*Theresa Okafor

Theresa Okafor holds a PhD in Education from the University of Nottingham in the United Kingdom and a Post-Graduate Diploma in Mass Communication from the University of Lagos, Nigeria. She has served as a member of the Holy See delegation at the United Nations in New York (2013-2015).

She is Delegate by UMEC-WUCT for AFRICA

Theresa is a promoter of pro-life and pro-family values at national and international levels. She also works closely with government officials, United Nations delegates, pro-life and pro-family organizations to protect the dignity of the human person, faith, marriage, children, quality education and the family from all who seek to undermine them. She has lectured and presented at the Catholic University of America, the University of Wisconsin, Lagos State Conference on Education, Catholic Bishops Conference on Education and Seminaries in Enugu, Onitsha and Nsukka.

Theresa has been featured in EWTN, NTA, Voice of Africa and in documentaries such as Humanum.it and the Power of Mothers. She is the recipient of four awards: The Natural Family Award by the World Congress for Families 2014; Rhodes Youth Forum Award (Greece 2010) for active participation; the Flynet Award (Nigeria, 2009) for educational promotion and a merit award from the National Association of Catholic University Students (Nigeria, 2008).

She is a member of the international advisory board of the Integral Economic Development Management (IEDM) program run by the Catholic University of America. She is a Director of the Foundation for African Cultural Heritage (FACH), a Director of the Quality Assurance and Research Development Agency, Nigeria (QAARDAN) and the CEO of Life League Nigeria. She is a member of the Governing Council of Wavecrest College of Hospitality Management, Lagos Nigeria. and the African representative of the World Congress for Families. She served as a board member of the International Network for Quality Assurance Agencies in Higher Education (INQAAHE) from 2009-2011 and is a founding member of the African Quality Assurance Network (AFRIQAN).