By Baron Ike
Atiku Abubakar, presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2019 election and former Nigerian vice president, has lauded the British Prime Minister, Boris Johnson over his pick of Kemi Badenoch as minister in his cabinet.
Atiku
Boris Johnson
Johnson, a Nigerian, at the weekend appointed Mrs. Badenoch as the Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Children and Families, an equivalent of a junior minister.
She was born Olukemi Olufunto Adegoke in January 1980 in Wimbledon, London to parents of Nigerian origin.
She spent her childhood in Lagos and the United States before moving to the United Kingdom at age 16.
“I’m humbled to have been appointed a junior minister at the DfE. A huge privilege to be able to serve and make a positive difference on a number of issues close to my heart. I look forward to working with the ministerial team and everyone at @educationgovuk,” Badenoch said on Monday in a tweet.
Atiku is excited about the appointment.
“I commend and celebrate British Prime Minister, Mr. Boris Johnson, for appointing a British citizen of Nigerian heritage as a minister in his government,” Atiku said in a statement on Tuesday.
Atiku added: “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.”
Atiku also congratulated Badenoch.
“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.”
Atiku urged 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,” adding that, “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.”