Vice President Kashim Shettima has expressed strong rejection of recent comments made by Kemi Badenoch, the newly elected leader of the UK Conservative Party, in which she made derogatory comments about Nigeria.
Addressing attendees at the 10th Annual Migration Dialogue held at the State House in Abuja on Monday, Shettima underscored the crucial role of migrants in enriching societies worldwide.
He highlighted the importance of migrants as key contributors to the development and vitality of various nations, reinforcing the idea that they are an integral part of the social and economic fabric.
He said, “Kemi Badenoch, the leader of the British Labour or Conservative Party. We are proud of her in spite of her efforts at denigrating her nation of origin.
“She is entitled to her own opinions; she has even every right to remove the Kemi from her name, but that does not underscore the fact that the greatest black nation on earth is the nation called Nigeria.
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“One out of every three, four black men is a Nigerian and by 2050, Nigeria will support the United States, will be the third most populous nation on earth.”
In 2022, Badenoch faced backlash for remarks describing her experiences growing up in Nigeria, citing corruption, unfulfilled promises, and poverty.
“I grew up in Nigeria and I saw firsthand when politicians are in it for themselves.
“When they use private money as their piggybanks, when they promise the earth and they pollute not just the earth, but the whole political atmosphere with their failure to serve others.
“I saw what socialism is for millions. I saw poverty and broken dreams. I came to Britain to make my way in a country where hard work and honest endeavour can take you anywhere.”
