Vice President Kashim Shettima has criticised Kemi Badenoch, the newly elected leader of the UK Conservative Party, for making disparaging remarks about Nigeria. Speaking on Monday at the 10th Annual Migration Dialogue held at the State House in Abuja, Shettima noted that, while Nigerians are proud of Badenoch’s achievements, her negative comments about her country of origin were regrettable.
“Badenoch, leader of the British Labour Conservative Party, we are proud of her in spite of her epoch as denigrating her nation of origin. She is entitled to her own opinions. She has even every right to remove the Kemi from her name, but that does not underscore the fact that the greatest black nation on earth is the nation called Nigeria. One out of every three or four black men is a Nigerian, and by 2050, Nigeria will surpass the United States, will be the third most populous nation on earth. One out of every three black men will be a Nigerian.”
In 2022, Badenoch, a UK Member of Parliament and former Prime Minister hopeful of Nigerian descent, accused Nigerian politicians of misusing public funds for private purposes. These comments have continued to draw mixed reactions, especially after her recent election as leader of the Conservative Party in November 2024.
Also Read: UK Trade Minister, Kemi Badenoch, In Nigeria On 3-Day Trip
The Vice President used the platform to highlight the significant contributions of migrants to society and economic development, reaffirming the government’s commitment to protecting their rights and celebrating their legacies. He emphasised the importance of fostering a positive image of Nigeria, particularly among its diaspora.
“Immigrants, brutal nations and immigrant civilizations. One of the men in the front seat here has a tribe in business in Namibia. He lived in Australia for over a decade, adding value to the Australian economy.Hence there is a need for us to respect and cherish immigrants. Migrants are the source of life in all societies. Rishi Sunak, the former British Prime Minister, is originally from India.A very brilliant young man. He never denigrated his nation of ancestry, nor poured venoms on India.”
Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, revealed that efforts to engage Badenoch following her election as Conservative Party leader had been unsuccessful, as no response was received from her office.
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