Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman and CEO of the Nigerian Diaspora Commission, has stated that her office contacted the recently elected UK Conservative Party leader, Kemi Badenoch, but received no answer.
Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Wednesday, Dabiri-Erewa declared that Nigeria will not force the British politician to embrace her Nigerian heritage if she does not want to.
“It depends on whether she embraces her Nigerian identity. We reached out to her once or twice, but there was no response. We don’t force anyone to acknowledge being Nigerian,” she explained.
The former lawmaker noted that NiDCOM has always been open to engaging Nigerians abroad who value their heritage, citing the example of a former Miss Universe Nigeria who connected with Nigeria only after facing challenges in South Africa.
“She then identified with Nigeria, came to Nigeria, and we hosted her. If the Nigerian blood is in you, you’re always a Nigerian,” she added.
Badenoch, born in London in 1980, spent part of her childhood in Lagos and the United States, where her mother was a lecturer.
The NiDCOM chief further stated that the choice to identify with Nigeria ultimately rests with Badenoch, who must decide if she values her Nigerian heritage.
“We are open to working with anyone who sees themselves as Nigerian, but it’s not something we can force,” she concluded.
