-0.7 C
New York
Tuesday, February 18, 2025

Shettima Responds to UK Conservative Leader Badenoch’s Remarks on Nigeria

Must read

ABUJA, Nigeria – Nigeria’s Vice President Kashim Shettima has expressed pride in Kemi Badenoch’s rise to the leadership of the UK Conservative Party but criticised her disparaging remarks about Nigeria, her country of origin.

Shettima spoke on Monday, December 9, 2024, at the 10th Annual Migration Dialogue held at the State House in Abuja.

Badenoch, 44, recently made headlines for comments describing her Nigerian childhood as fraught with fear and insecurity. She said in an interview with Mail Online:

“I will always be grateful for being lucky enough to be born here. It was very much fate, and I would do anything for this country – I would go to war for this country, I would fight for this country. I would die for this country. This is my country. I love it the way it is. I don’t want it to become like the place I ran away from. I want it to get better and better, not just for me, but for the next generation.”

She also described her experiences in Nigeria as “filled with tales of horror,” recounting fears of violent attacks in her neighbourhood.

Kashim Shettima, DAVOS
FILE PHOTO: Kashim Shettima, governor of Borno state, looks on during an interview with Reuters in Maiduguri, Nigeria November 23, 2017. | REUTERS/Afolabi Sotunde/File Photo

Shettima’s Response

In his remarks, Shettima balanced commendation with criticism.

“We are proud of Kemi Badenoch despite her efforts to denigrate her nation of origin,” he stated.

“She is entitled to her opinions, even her right to remove ‘Kemi’ from her name, but that does not negate the fact that Nigeria is the greatest Black nation on earth. One in every three or four Black people is a Nigerian, and by 2050, Nigeria will be the third most populous nation on earth, alongside the United States.”

The Vice President’s comments reflect Nigeria’s pride in its diaspora achievements while addressing narratives that undermine the country’s global image.

Celebrating Migrants’ Contributions

Shettima also used the platform to highlight the positive contributions of migrants to society and economic growth.

“Migrants play a vital role in shaping societies and economies around the world,” he said.

“The Nigerian government remains committed to safeguarding the rights of migrants and honouring their legacies and contributions to national development.”

The Vice President reaffirmed Nigeria’s status as a global leader among Black nations, urging respect for the country’s potential and resilience despite challenges.

A Complex Legacy

Badenoch, born in Wimbledon but raised in Nigeria before returning to the UK as a teenager, has often been vocal about her identity and her experiences growing up.

Her rise to political prominence in the UK as a British-Nigerian has drawn both praise and controversy, with many celebrating her achievements while questioning some of her statements about Nigeria.

The dialogue surrounding her comments underscores broader conversations about identity, migration, and the responsibility of diaspora leaders to balance constructive criticism with respect for their heritage.

As Nigeria prepares to become one of the world’s most populous nations by 2050, its leaders continue to stress the importance of unity and pride in its global contributions, even amidst criticism from within its diaspora.

More articles

- Advertisement -The Fast Track to Earning Income as a Publisher
- Advertisement -The Fast Track to Earning Income as a Publisher
- Advertisement -Top 20 Blogs Lifestyle

Latest article