History was made on Saturday, May 6, 2023 when Charles George was crowned as the King of England. The solemn Christian ceremony, deep in history and tradition of the British monarchy, took place amidst fanfare and ceremonial gun salute at Westminster Abbey in London, venue of the ceremony. An estimated 20 million people in the United Kingdom tuned in to watch the ceremony on Saturday. A few Nigerians were among those who made sure the event was seamless. They were closely involved in the ceremonies, either by virtue of their positions or influence beyond their home country.
SHADE WESLEY-METIBOGUN chronicles who these Nigerians are.
Tiwa Savage
Sonorous singer, Tiwa Savage, joined the list of international artists, such as Lionel Richie, Take That, Katy Perry, and Olly Murs to perform at the coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla on Sunday evening during the coronation concert organised by British Broadcasting Corporation, BBC, which took place at Windsor Castle in England.
It was the first time that a female African artist would perform at an event of this nature. Windsor Garden Castle, venue of the coronation concert, is the oldest and largest occupied castle in the world. The castle hosted over 20,000 guests. It was also the first time that such an event took place at the castle. Dressed in a flowing green gown, proudly made by Nigerian designer, Lanre Da Silva, Tiwa sang, ‘Keys to the Kingdom’, a song she recorded with Tosin Ajibade, professionally known as Mr Eazi, which was featured in Beyoncé Knowles’ album, ‘The Lion King’. The album was released in 2019. One of the highlights of Tiwa’s performance was the two talking drummers who displayed the rich culture of Nigeria.
Reverend Tosin Oladipo
Reverend Tosin Oladipo, the newly appointed Nigerian chaplain to the Archbishop of Canterbury, Justin Welby, joined other clergymen to officiate at the church ceremony in Westminster. Oladipo was a digital and video tech expert in London before joining the ministry. After his ministerial training, he became a parish priest in East London and served with Archbishop Welby at the Lambeth Palace Community.
James Numbere
James Numbere, a gospel singer from Buguma in Kalabari Kingdom, Rivers State, joined the rest of the Ascension Choir to minister during the church ceremony. It was the first time a royal coronation ceremony would hear the sound of joyful gospel music.
Born in Port-Harcourt to the late Apostle G.D and Pastor Dr Mrs N. E Numbere, the founders of Greater Evangelism World Crusade Ministries International, Numbere is not an alien to the British Royal Family. He was the first and only African to sing the British national anthem before the late Queen of England during her Platinum Jubilee.
Dame Elizabeth Anionwu, the first United Kingdom sickle cell and Thalassemia nurse specialist, played a key role during the coronation. She was responsible for carrying the Sovereignty Orb during the procession. The Orb symbolises both the state and the Church under the protection and the domain of the monarch. Anionwu, who is a Professor Emeritus and CBE, was born to a Nigerian father and an Irish mother. Anionwu who has an inspiring pedigree and story came to look for her father in Nigeria when she was an adult. Her father was Lawrence Anionwu, the first Permanent Secretary in the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs and First Nigerian Ambassador to Italy.
Ade Adelekan
Ade Adelekan, a Deputy Assistant Commissioner and a Security and Aviation Commander in the Metropolitan Police, was in charge of the security operation of the coronation of King Charles III. The operation he was in charge of was one of the most significant and largest security deployments the force has led. It had more than 29,000 police officers deployed during the coronation period. Adelekan is in charge of Metropolitan Police’s Aviation and Security Specialist Operations unit. The Operational Command Unit (OCU) works to protect and police airports and keep people safe from threats, including terrorism.
Pastor Agu Irukwu
Agu Irukwu of Jesus House Church, United Kingdom was also one of those who played a significant role at the coronation ceremony. He was one of the church leaders in England selected to file out in a procession at some point during the ceremony. During the late Queen of England’s funeral, he was also among the officiating ministers.
Before he founded his own Church, Irukwu was a senior pastor at the UK headquarter branch of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG. He stepped down as the chairman of UK RCCG in April 2021. He also ceased from being the Chairman of the Board of Trustees and Executive Council of the RCCG in the UK and the Deputy Continental Overseer of the church in Europe. He was an investment banker before he quit for ministerial work.
Sir Kenneth Aphunezi Olisa
Nothing of consequence happens in Westminster Abbey without Sir Kenneth Aphunezi Olisa’s ceremonial honorific presence. He is a High Bailiff and Searcher of the Sanctuary of Westminster Abbey. At King Charles III coronation he was a member of the welcome party in his role as the High Bailiff of the sanctuary of Westminster Abbey.
The 72 year-old is also the Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London, that is, the kings personal representative in the City. During the late Queen of England’s funeral, he was listed in the order of procession for the Queen’s funeral.
Born of a Nigerian father whom he never met from Onitsha, Anambra State and a British mother, Olisa is also the Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London, a position he has held since 2015. He’s the first black Briton so honoured. His role as a Lord Lieutenant is to stand in for the Queen or King when unable to attend an event locally. A successful businessman who is on the board of most quoted companies, he’s widely seen as the most influential black Briton.
*** Additional reports by Ivory Ukonu
