Leader of the British Conservative Party, Kemi Badenoch has been announced as the winner of the 2024 Yoruba Person of the Year.
She was listed alongside Dr Akinyemi, a Yoruba scientist based in Russia
The Alliance of Yoruba Democratic Movements (AYDM), the largest coalition of Pan-Yoruba groups comprising 130 member organizations made the announcement at the weekend.
AYDM said the award is in recognition and celebration of the two most distinguished individuals among over 100 million Yoruba people across the continents of the entire world.
The statement signed by its General Secretary, Popoola Ajayi said the two personalities uplifted and inspired generations of Yoruba people in 2024 beyond imaginations.
“The two Yoruba people were the greatest inspiration in the year 2024. They achieved rare feat in two realms: Politics and Science. The interesting aspect is that the two individuals live in two countries that do not share similar ideology which exemplifies the plurality of Yoruba presence across the globe irrespective of diverse ideologies of Nations across the world.
The group said “Mrs Kemi Badenoch emerged as the first Black woman to lead one of the oldest political parties in the world through a combination of her penchant for truth, strength of character, ethics, hardwork and brilliance. She is the forth woman to have ever led the British Conservative Party in the history of the United Kingdom,” AYDM said.
The Conservative Party was established in 1834. Kemi was elected as its leader on November 02, 2024 bracing the odds and overcoming discrimination which is thought to be associated with politics and power in Europe and even across the world.
The group said her moral upbringing, her etiquette, passion for excellence lifted her to a distinguished position that no black person in the world has ever achieved.”
The group said Kemi Badenoch has further made history for her boldness in bringing into global focus, the greatest affliction of Nigeria which is the National Question, a major source of the Nigerian civil war that led to the death of over 1million and the root cause of the ceaseless violence, deaths, terrorism and human misery that Nigerians continue to shoulder and endure with anguish, a stubborn truth that the Nigerian shamelessly corrupt, fraudulent leaders and their collaborators always fail to admit.
The group said while the beneficiaries from Nigeria’s ruin have poured venon on her, the ordinary, long suffering masses of Nigeria found her position on Nigeria a honest reflection of the travails and unprecedented sufferings their spineless leaders have unleashed on them.
“Her statement on the situation in Nigeria further confirmed that she is an honest politician who stands for truth. She has distanced herself from the blood money which Nigerian leaders are found of using to veil off the realities at the home front.”
Praising her for courage and iron cast determination, AYDM said Kemi Badenoch is strategically placed to lead one of the greatest countries in human history and that she has already emerged as an outstanding leader in the comity of Nations.
AYDM said Kemi Badenoch has brought honour to women all over the world and not just the black race and that her status remains a golden statue in Yoruba history.
AYDM said Akinyemi was the only black scientist that formed a part of a team to save humanity from cancer which kills millions of people yearly in the world.
“The two individuals are personalities who have made outstanding contributions in their respective fields and brought pride to the Yoruba Nation and Africa in 2024.
AYDM’s coalition includes prominent groups such as the O’odua Nationalist Coalition (ONAC), Agbekoya Solidarity, South West Professionals (SOWPROF), Nigerian Automobile Technicians Association (NATA), ANACOWA (representing Okada riders in the South West), Network for Yoruba Alliance (NENA), Oodua Students Congress (OST), South West Women Coalition (SWEC), the Covenant Group, Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC New Era),Oodua Peoples Congress, (Reform), Green Peoples Environmental Network, (GREPNET-a member of the International Alliance on Indigenous and Tribal Peoples of the Tropical Forest based on Thailand, Network of Community Based Organsations in the South West, (NECOSW) among many others.
The groups, AYDM said it is commitmented to celebrating Yoruba history, culture, and individuals who exemplify the ethos of Omoluabi—integrity, industry, and selflessness.
At its general meeting held on in Lagos AYDM resolved to honour the two individuals in recognition of their exceptional achievements and contributions:
AYDM said Kemi Badenoch was born Olukemi Olufunto Adegoke, a British politician who made history as the first Black person to serve as the Leader of the Opposition and Leader of the Conservative Party in the United Kingdom, assuming office in November 2024.
Born in Wimbledon, London, with her early childhood spent in Lagos, Nigeria, Badenoch’s journey exemplifies excellence and perseverance. A holder of a Master of Engineering degree in Computer Systems Engineering from the University of Sussex and a Bachelor of Laws degree from Birkbeck College, University of London, she has had an illustrious career in IT, financial services, and politics.
Badenoch’s rise in British politics, from Member of Parliament for Saffron Walden to holding key ministerial roles such as Secretary of State for International Trade and Minister for Women and Equalities, is a testament to her leadership and dedication. Her historic leadership role in 2024 marks a significant milestone for the Yoruba Nation and global Black representation.
On the other hand, Dr Olalekan Akinyemi
Dr. Samuel Olalekan Akinyemi, born in Lagos in 1994, is a trailblazing oncologist making groundbreaking strides in cancer research in Russia. From his humble beginnings as a construction labourer, Dr. Akinyemi pursued his passion for medicine, earning his degree from Bashkir State Medical University in Ufa, Russia.
Currently serving as an assistant at the university and as an oncology intern at the BSMU Clinic, Dr. Akinyemi is part of a pioneering team developing a personalized mRNA-based cancer vaccine. This innovative treatment targets the genetic profiles of tumors, enhancing the immune system’s ability to combat cancer. The vaccine, expected to become available in 2025, represents a significant advancement in global healthcare.
Dr. Akinyemi’s journey from Lagos to contributing to revolutionary medical science in Russia reflects the potential of the Yoruba people to make a global impact.
