Nigeria, Dec. 9 -- For over a week, I have been in the news on the basis of multiple claims that I had said that there was no persecution of Christians in Nigeria.

The outpouring of emotions is understandable, especially against the backdrop of the inviolability of life, the extermination of which must not be undermined by any debates on numbers or intent.

I am grateful to my colleagues at The Kukah Centre, who issued a Statement while I was caught up with a tight schedule. I nevertheless believe that is no substitute for my personal responsibility.

First, let me say how sincerely sorry I am to be associated with representations that understandably are a source of great pain and mental anguish to so many of my brothers and sisters with...