Prominent Yoruba diaspora organisation, Yoruba One Voice (YOV), has cautioned those attacking the leader of the British conservative, Kemi Badenoch, to desist from act that can affect the image of Nigeria.
YOV, in a statement by the General Secretary, Prince Adedokun Ademiluyi, frowned at the nature of the attacks coming from every angle against a prominent figure that had made Nigeria proud as a Yoruba woman.
Expressing his concern, Ademiluyi stated further that the statement made by Badenoch was done in good faith and it represented the views of some Nigerians abroad that didn’t have the opportunity to express their views about the level of injustice, corruption and insecurity across the country.
“Kemi Badenoch is entitled to her opinion and belief. She identified with her root as a Yoruba woman, adding that she didn’t believe in Nigeria.What she said was about her conviction and principle based on the situation in the country.
“Her statement was done in good faith and it was a reflection of some Nigerians abroad. However, there is need for Nigeria to work on the image of the country. Rather than attacking her,Nigeria government should work on the image of the country in order to allow Nigerians abroad to be proud of the country.
“We are concerned about the various attacks on the woman who has made great impact in the UK.
“A woman of Kemi Badenoch will not like to associate herself with Nigeria because of the growing injustice, insecurity and corruption in the country. It is now left for Nigeria to convince her sons and daughters abroad by doing the right thing.
“Many people might also have the same view as Badenoch but they are not in the same position to speak up.
Rather than throwing the baby with the bath water, we should learn to manage differing opinions. Let us learn from what she has said.
“The question is: “Why are Nigerians dropping the Nigerian passports for British, American and European passports? It is not only because of the poor economic situation in the country, but also because of the image of the country.
“Why is it that Nigerians are very desperate to go abroad in the name of ‘Japa’? The Japa syndrome is not restricted to ordinary people,over 100,000 doctors and nurses have left the shores of Nigeria.
“Many of our best brains have left the country and once they leave the country they will seek residents permit and because of that the situation in the country.
“For instance,the United Arab Emirate (UAE) that Nigeria helped in the 70s to pay their workers’ salaries didn’t want Nigerians to visit their country.And for the past two years,the Federal Government is yet to resolve the issue.
“Also the South Africa that Nigeria supported during the Apartheid struggle didn’t want Nigerians to visit their country because of the economic situation in the country.
“Even some African countries that have less than what God has blessed Nigeria with are presently deporting Nigerians from their countries.
“That is why we must not allow any group to tarnish her image. It is not good for Nigerians or some groups to be attacking her.
“The more Nigerians attack her, the more the global community would be interested in her case and that will not be too good for Nigeria.
“It is not in Yoruba culture to leave our sons or daughters in the lurch, particularly during war. In truth, Kemi Badenock is a global figure that had contested for the position of the British Prime Minister even though she didn’t win. We will not fold our arms and allow anybody to tarnish the image of one of our most resourceful figures in the UK,” Ademiluyi stated.
