Ex-Senator Shehu Sani of Kaduna Central has subtly rebuked new UK Conservative leader Kemi Badenoch for her recent remarks about Nigeria and British colonialism.
Sani pointed out that a Nigerian singing a colonial song in the UK Parliament cannot deny their heritage. He cautioned that just as adopted children may eventually feel a deep connection to their ancestral home, a person’s true identity cannot be altered, no matter how much they may identify with their adoptive country.
The continued emphasis placed on African American heritage highlights the difficulty in severing ties to one’s ancestral roots, according to Sani. “If African Americans still maintain a strong connection to their African roots, it is unlikely that a Nigerian’s true identity would be changed by performing a colonial song in Parliament,” he posted.
In related news, Kemi Badenoch, a Nigerian-born UK lawmaker, has come under fire for defending British colonialism while debating the UK’s response to the Black Lives Matter movement.
Earlier this year, Badenoch sparked outrage when she stated that some countries might blame their economic stagnation on British colonialism.
The Chair of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, revealed that her office attempted to contact Badenoch but received no response.
In a recent interview with Channels Television, Dabiri-Erewa noted that acknowledging one’s Nigerian heritage is a matter of personal choice. “We reached out to her once or twice, but there was no response. We don’t force anyone to acknowledge their Nigerian identity,” she said.
