Abike Dabiri-Erewa, chairperson of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), has acknowledged that Kemi Badenoch, the newly elected leader of the United Kingdom’s Conservative Party, has shown limited interest in connecting with her Nigerian roots.
During an appearance on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Wednesday, Dabiri-Erewa discussed efforts by NIDCOM to engage Badenoch and encourage her to embrace her “Nigerianness.” However, she noted that these attempts had been unfruitful.
“We have reached out to her once or twice without any response. So, we don’t force people to accept to be Nigerian,” she said.
Dabiri-Erewa emphasized that NIDCOM is open to working with any Nigerian in the diaspora who wishes to embrace their heritage.
She added, “If you appreciate the Nigerianness in you and you want to work with us, we are open to everybody. But we cannot force you to appreciate the Nigerianness in you.”
She cited an example involving a former Miss Universe Nigeria, who fully embraced her Nigerian identity after encountering challenges in South Africa, later returning to Nigeria and receiving a warm welcome from NIDCOM.
“You remember Miss Universe Nigeria in South Africa.
“Until she got into a little problem with South Africa, she identified with Nigeria, came back, and we hosted her. As long as that blood is in you, you are a Nigerian.
“So, it depends on Kemi to decide whether she appreciates the Nigerianess in her. Whether she wants to work with Nigeria, but we cannot force anybody.”
Kemi Badenoch made history on November 2 by becoming the first black leader of a major UK political party. Born in the UK to Nigerian Yoruba parents in January 1980, Badenoch spent her early years in Nigeria before returning to the UK at age 16.
