News
British-Nigerian Kemi Badenoch elected UK Conservative Party leader
British-Nigerian, Olukemi Olufunto Adegoke Badenoch, yesterday emerged the leader of the UK Conservative Party,the first black ever to lead a major political party in the country.
The former British Business Secretary,44,polled 53,806 votes to defeat ex-Home Office minister Robert Jenrick who got 41,388 in the final round of voting that ended a bitter four-month long contest.
She replaced Rishi Sunak as leader of the opposition party.
Moments after her election, Badenoch launched into her job, rallying party members that it was “time to get down to business.”
She was full of praise for Sunak and Mr Jenrick’s ‘energy’, but she was quick to acknowledge that the previous government had “let standards slip.”
The party must woo back voters, she stressed.
“The time has come to tell the truth, to stand up for our principles, to plan for the future,” she said.
She branded Labour Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s performance in office so far a shaky start and said this had provided an opportunity for the Conservatives to plan for the future.
Sir Keir nonetheless congratulated her for becoming the first black leader of a major UK political party.
“Congratulations, @KemiBadenoch , on becoming the Conservative Party’s new leader,” he said on his X handle @Keir_Starmer.
He added: “The first Black leader of a Westminster party is a proud moment for our country.
“I look forward to working with you and your party in the interests of the British people.”
Badenoch’s campaign centred on returning the Conservatives to “first principles” and launching a series of reviews in the coming months to shape a new policy platform.
She was born on January 2, 1980 in Wimbledon, London to Nigerian parents.
Her father, Femi Adegoke, was a medical doctor and the mother, Feyi Adegoke, a professor of Physiology.
The couple had two other children.
Kemi grew up in Lagos but relocated to the UK at 16 years to live with a friend of her mother’s owing to the deteriorating political and economic situation in Nigeria.
She got married to banker, Hamish Badenoch, in 2012 and they have three children together.
News
See Photos of World’s Tallest and Shortest Women Meet for Afternoon Tea in London
The world’s tallest woman and the world’s shortest woman met for the first time this week, sipping tea from china cups — and bonding over what they have in common while celebrating their differences.
Jyoti Amge, shortest woman, and Rumeysa Gelgi, tallest woman, meet for the first time and share afternoon tea
Rumeysa Gelgi, from Turkey, stands at 7 feet and 0.7 inches, while Jyoti Amge, from India, is 2 feet and 0.7 inches.
Jyoti Amge, shortest woman, and Rumeysa Gelgi, tallest woman, meet for the first time and share afternoon tea
Jyoti Amge, shortest woman, and Rumeysa Gelgi, tallest woman, meet for the first time and share afternoon tea
Jyoti Amge, shortest woman, and Rumeysa Gelgi, tallest woman, meet for the first time and share afternoon tea
“You’re so beautiful,” said Gelgi, 27. “Thank you — you too,” replied Amge, 30.
Their meeting, over afternoon tea at London’s Savoy Hotel on Tuesday, came ahead of Guinness World Records Day, which is held annually in November to mark record-breaking achievements and encourage people to attempt records. The pair have been honored as “World Record icons” in the 70th anniversary edition of the Guinness World Records book.
Story continues below advertisement
“Meeting Jyoti for the first time was wonderful,” Gelgi said in a release Wednesday. “She’s the most gorgeous lady. I was waiting to meet her for a long time.”
Gelgi said the pair bonded over their love for makeup, jewelry and doing their nails.
Video footage showed them sitting down for tea, cakes and sandwiches stacked next to them, with the London Eye visible from the window.
Amge said in the release that she was “so happy to look up” and see the world’s tallest woman, whom she called “good-natured.” She added that it was difficult at times for the pair to make eye contact “due to our height difference.”
“Guinness World Records is all about celebrating differences,” its editor in chief, Craig Glenday, said in a statement ahead of Guinness World Record Day, which is on Thursday.
“By bringing together these two amazing, iconic women, they can share their perspectives on life with each other and, also, with us,” Glenday said.
Gelgi’s record-breaking height is due to a rare genetic condition called Weaver syndrome, which causes rapid growth, according to the National Organization for Rare Disorders.
Story continues below advertisement
The primary symptom is growth and bone development that occurs faster than usual, making those affected taller than average. People with Weaver syndrome may have rigid muscles and difficulty extending their elbows or knees.
Gelgi used a walking aid for support during the pair’s meeting. Her case of Weaver syndrome was the 27th ever diagnosed and the first in Turkey, according to Guinness World Records.
Weaver syndrome is generally caused by changes in the EZH2 gene, according to the NORD, though the organization notes that some people with Weaver syndrome do not have a mutation in the gene.
Story continues below advertisement
Amge, an actor who played the character of Ma Petite in the television series “American Horror Story,” has a genetic growth disorder that occurs in the early stages of fetal development, known as achondroplasia.
According to Johns Hopkins, the condition causes shorter bones, abnormally shaped bones and shorter stature. While the genetic defect can be passed from parent to child, in about 80 percent of cases, achondroplasia results from a spontaneous mutation that occurs in the developing embryo.
On Thursday, Gelgi shared photos on Instagram of the two exploring London despite the cold weather, posing side by side in front of Tower Bridge.
News
Speaker Abbas Decries Gross Inadequacy In Health Sector Despite Annual Allocation
News
Reps Demand Details Of Project Undertaken From Ministry Of Solid Minerals In 2024 Budget
-
News17 hours ago
DHQ Gives Updates on on Arrest, Trial of Simon Ekpa in Finland
-
News17 hours ago
Japa: 1 of 4 Nigerians want to leave the country – NBS
-
News16 hours ago
Senate mandates military to free LGs under B’Haram control
-
News16 hours ago
OUTREACH: Senator Manu concludes 2-day ICT program for constituents, distributes over 500 laptops to students (Video/Photos)
-
News16 hours ago
2027: Obasanjo’s knock on INEC reopens push for electoral reform
-
News17 hours ago
Simon Ekpa Sent To Prison
-
News17 hours ago
I’m not too young or inexperienced to run for Lagos Governor – Speaker Obasa
-
News17 hours ago
Nigerian Catholic religious Sister Uti wins $1.2 million Opus Prize