(Press statement) I commend and celebrate British Prime Minister, Mr. Boris Johnson, for appointing a British citizen of Nigerian heritage as a minister in his government.
Your cabinet has a lot to teach the world. With an average age of 47, it is the UK’s youngest ever cabinet, and with over 25% minority representation, it is one of the world’s most diverse governments. It is also a gender balanced administration, with 24% female representation. Putting together such a well represented government is a testament to your ability to connect, include and unite.
Like I said in both my private and public messages to you, I am confident that under your leadership, Anglo-Nigerian relationships will be greatly strengthened.
Let me also congratulate Mrs. Olukemi Olufunto Badenoch on her appointment as Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Children and Families. I have repeatedly said that Nigerians, especially her youth, are natural leaders, with advanced intellect and abilities. I said this when I congratulated Kelechi (Kaycee) Madu on being made a minister in Canada and Mrs. Badenoch only corroborates my assertions.
I urge Nigerians all over the world to note that global leaders acknowledge that we are hardworking people, with a community spirit that we take wherever we go. Nigerian youths are not lazy as is shown from these appointments, and I look forward to the day that we can show by our youth representation in Nigeria’s government, that they are as appreciated at home as they are abroad.
Atiku Abubakar
Presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party and Vice President of Nigeria, 1999-2007
The Guardian (UK) had reported that Britain’s Prime Minister Boris Johnson, appointed Olukemi Olufunto Badenoch, aged 39, as Children and Families Minister, as part of his government reshuffle. Badenoch is a British Conservative politician and Member of Parliament (MP) for Saffron Walden.
She was born in Wimbledon, London to Nigerian parents. Her childhood was spent in Lagos and the United States. She moved to the United Kingdom at the age of 16. She has been the MP for Saffron Walden since 2017 after replacing Nadhim Zawahi.
She once told MPs in Parliament about her own experiences of poverty and how she used to do her homework by candlelight.
A software and IT engineer, Badenoch studied systems engineering at Sussex University and also has a law degree. She has worked in the banking sector for Coutts and RBS and is a mother of two.
Tweeting about her appointment, Badenoch @KemiBadenoch posted on 29 July: “Thank you for all good wishes and kind messages of support received. I also look forward to working not just with @Conservatives colleagues but cross-party and grateful for the warm welcome from @TracyBrabin and @Steve ReedMP who no doubt will be keeping me on my toes!”
The minister’s responsibilities include early years policy, including inspection and regulation. Her portfolio includes delivery of 30 hours free childcare offer, special educational needs including high needs funding, safeguarding in schools and disadvantaged pupils – including pupil premium and pupil premium plus.
In her 2017 maiden speech as MP, the daughter of a GP and a physiology professor, described the vote for Brexit as “the greatest ever vote of confidence in the project of the United Kingdom”.
(The Guardian)
