We can’t force her to acknowledge her roots says Dabiri Erewa as Kemi Badenoch reportedly snubs Nigeria – Crime Channels
We can’t force her to acknowledge her roots says Dabiri Erewa as Kemi Badenoch reportedly snubs Nigeria
Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Chairman and CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), revealed that her office had reached out to Kemi Badenoch, the newly elected leader of the UK Conservative Party, but received no reply.
Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief, Dabiri-Erewa made it clear that Nigeria would never pressure anyone into embracing their Nigerian identity.
“We made contact with her once or twice, but there was no response,” Dabiri-Erewa explained.
“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.”
The NiDCOM leader emphasised the commission’s commitment to engaging with Nigerians abroad who voluntarily choose to celebrate their heritage.
She highlighted the story of a former Miss Universe Nigeria who reconnected with her roots after facing challenges abroad. “She came back to Nigeria, and we hosted her. If you have Nigerian blood in you, you’re always Nigerian,” Dabiri-Erewa remarked.
Badenoch, born in London in 1980, spent part of her early years in Lagos before moving to the U.S., where her mother worked as a lecturer.
In closing, Dabiri-Erewa reiterated NiDCOM’s open-door policy for anyone who feels connected to Nigeria, stressing that the decision to identify as Nigerian ultimately rests with the individual.
She concluded saying: “We are open to working with anyone who sees themselves as Nigerian, but it’s not something we can force.”
