Nigeria's Vice President, Kashim Shettima, has delivered a pointed critique of Kemi Badenoch, the newly elected leader of the United Kingdom's Conservative Party. Speaking at the 10th Annual Migration Dialogue held at the State House in Abuja, Shettima accused Badenoch of disparaging her country of origin, Nigeria.
This criticism comes in the wake of Badenoch's previous comments during her campaign for UK Prime Minister in 2022, where she accused Nigerian politicians of misusing public funds for personal gain.
Shettima's remarks were not just a response to past grievances but also a reaction to Badenoch's recent actions as the leader of the Conservative Party. Despite efforts by the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM) to reach out to Badenoch after her election in November 2024, there was reportedly no response from her office. The Chairman of NIDCOM, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, confirmed this lack of communication, which further fueled the Vice President's discontent.
In his speech, Shettima emphasized Nigeria's importance on the global stage, stating, "Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the British Labour or Conservative Party. We are proud of her in spite of her efforts at denigrating her nation of origin." He continued, "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."
Shettima highlighted Nigeria's demographic importance, noting that "one out of every three, four black men is a Nigerian and by 2050, Nigeria will support the United States, and will be the third most populous nation on earth." His comments showed the pride and potential he sees in Nigeria, despite the criticisms it faces.
The Vice President's address also touched on the broader theme of migration, emphasizing the positive impact migrants have on society and economic growth. This context provided a backdrop for his defense of Nigeria's global contributions and the role of its diaspora.
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