Vice President Kashim Shettima has expressed disappointment over recent comments by Kemi Badenoch, the newly elected leader of the UK Conservative Party, about Nigeria.
Speaking at the 10th Annual Migration Dialogue in Abuja on Monday, Shettima acknowledged Badenoch’s achievements while condemning her disparaging remarks about her country of origin.
"We are proud of her, despite her efforts to denigrate her nation of origin," he stated, emphasizing the need for respect and pride in one’s roots.
“She is entitled to her opinions, even her right to remove ‘Kemi’ from her name, but that does not negate the fact that Nigeria is the greatest Black nation on earth. One in every three or four Black people is a Nigerian, and by 2050, Nigeria will be the third most populous nation on earth, alongside the United States.”
The Vice President also underscored the vital contributions of migrants to society and economic growth.
He reaffirmed the Nigerian government’s commitment to safeguarding migrants’ rights while honoring their legacies and contributions to national development.
Before being elected leader of the UK Conservative Party, the 44-year-old British Nigerian, criticized Nigeria, saying she didn’t want Britain to become like the place she ran away from