News (Abike Dabiri / Kemi Badenoch)
Kehinde Fajobi
Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Chairman and CEO of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), has made it clear that her office will not pressure Kemi Badenoch, the newly elected UK Conservative Party leader, to embrace her Nigerian identity, following failed attempts to engage with the politician.
Speaking on Channels Television’s The Morning Brief on Wednesday, 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.”
Dabiri-Erewa highlighted that NiDCOM engages with Nigerians abroad who value their heritage.
She gave an example of former Miss South Africa contestant, Chidimma Adetshina who reconnected with her Nigerian roots after 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.
Reflecting on Badenoch’s connection to Nigeria, Dabiri-Erewa said, “The choice to identify with Nigeria ultimately rests with her. We are open to working with anyone who sees themselves as Nigerian, but it’s not something we can force.”