The chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri-Erewa, has said that the commission cannot force people to identify themselves as Nigerians.
Dabiri-Erewa said this while responding to questions on the newly elected United Kingdom’s Conservative Party leader, Kemi Badenoch, who is a Nigerian-Briton.
Speaking on Channels Television’s breakfast show, ‘The Morning Brief’ on Wednesday, Dabiri-Erewa emphasised that Nigeria would not compel Badenoch to embrace her Nigerian heritage if she chooses not to.
She revealed that her office has made attempts to reach out to the new UK’s Opposition Leader but has so far received no response from her.
“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 explained.
The NiDCOM boss noted that the commission is always open to engaging Nigerians abroad who value their heritage, sharing an example of a former Miss Universe Nigeria, who only connected with her Nigerian roots after experiencing 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,” Dabiri-Erewa remarked.
Kemi Badenoch, born in London in 1980 to a Nigerian father, spent part of her childhood in Lagos, Nigeria and the United States, where her mother was a lecturer. While her Nigerian background is well-known, her identification with the country remains a personal choice.
Dabiri-Erewa reiterated that the decision to embrace Nigerian identity ultimately lies with Badenoch.
“We are open to working with anyone who sees themselves as Nigerian, but it’s not something we can force,” she stressed.
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