The Role of Politicians of African Heritage as a role model for Black British in governance in the United Kingdom.
Most British Africans were very embarrassed by the recent statement “Nigeria did not look after me, the country that loves me and look after me is the UK”. This Statement Was made by a senior black female British cabinet minister Kemi Badenoch MP during The Spectator interview at the just concluded Conservative Party conference 2023 #CPC23 in Manchester. In normal terms, senior politicians should be seen as role models to others who are aspiring to take an interest in governance. Her statement can be considered Uncalled for. Whatever her political aspirations, can be achieved without knocking her place of origin.
It saddened most Nigerians living in the United Kingdom and around the world to hear and see a prominent minister such as Kemi Badenoch MP making derogatory comments about her country of origin at every opportunity. In contrast to other BAME ministers for example James Cleverly MP the current United Kingdom Foreign Minister who is half African, who diligently continues to make us Africans very proud without downing his heritage. Certain leadership qualities are expected from politicians around the world to qualify as role models such as mannerisms and, the ability to carry others along and engage others diplomatically, especially in public spaces.
Some opportune Africans are now considered to have integrated well, for instance into the United Kingdom political arena, taking up top positions from counselors to ministerial positions. As much as we are proud of these achievements, we should not applaud our heritage being run under the bus for political mileage.
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