DAL INTERNATIONAL NEWS Friday 18h May, 2018
Facts are the lifeblood of Journalism
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
VICTOR ENI BECOMES FIRST AFRICAN MAYOR IN HERTFORDSHIRE By Dauda Awwal (UK) Councillor Victor Okereke Eni is the first African Mayor ever in the Elstree & Borehamwood.Victor was born in Port Harcourt, Rivers State Nigeria, to Late police inspector E K Eni and Oyidie Eni of Ndi Ukpabi compound Amannagwu Arochukwu. he joined the local branch of the Conservative Party and in 2015 contested and won seats as a councillor in both the town and district council elections. VIctor Eni is the first African to win a seat in Hertsmere district in the town council of Elstree & Borehamwood in Hertfordshire 2018.
Mayor Victor Eni
1
The Spirit of Africans took over Fairway Hall, Brook Close, Borehamwood on the 16th May 2018 to celebrate the inauguration of Nigerian born who is a member of Conservative party in United Kingdom .
New Mayor of Elstree and Borehamwood,UK-Victor Eni The event attracted an enthusiastic audience of about 500 people-Nigerians and non-Nigerians gathered in the Fairway Hall to celebrate Mayor Victor Eni.
2
Mayor Victor Eni signing the declaration of acceptance of office
The programme of the event kick off at 7.30 pm. The moderator of the event introduced the elected new mayor to the audience and Councillor Eric Silver handled power to the incoming Town mayor’s declaration of acceptance of office as new mayor of Elstree and Borehamwood 2018/19. Outgoing Mayor’s video presentation followed, deputy town mayor was elected.
3
Official Inaugural ceremony of Victor Eni as new Mayor of Elstree and Borehamwood,UK
Among top government officials graced the celebration include Councillor Eric Silver,Cuoncillor, C.Barker (Brook-meadow Ward),Councillor C Butchins (Hillside Ward),Councillor R.Butler (Cowley Hill Ward),Councillor Cleshill (Cowley Hill Ward),
4
L-R-Awwal, Mrs Martine Victor Eni
Councillor G. Frankinlin (Cowley Hill Ward),Councillor Mrs A Mitchell (Elstree Ward),Councillor Mrs S Parnell (Hillside Ward),Councillor S Rubner (Brook meadow Ward),Councillor G.Silver (Kenilworth Ward),Councillor Mrs P Strack (Hillside Ward),Councillor Mrs F Turner (Elstree Ward).
5
Three children of Mayor Victor Eni
Among top Nigerians officials attended the occasion include ExMayor Aminu and his wife Mrs Adedolapo Aminu, Other Councillor were Councillor Lambe and Councillor Nneka Keazor of Enfield.
6
Top Government officials of the Council
L-R:Francis,Awwal,Adedolapo,Cllr Aminu,Anike 7
After the inauguration Fifteen Minutes was allowed for Questions relating to Town Council from members of the public was allowed. The meeting of the event closed and the Guest moved to Mama Calabar restaurant for refreshment. At the Restaurant, many speakers including British Politicians delivered short speeches.
Top Government officials of ConservativePparty in UK
Ex-Mayor Aminu said ‘’Mayor Victor deserved the position, he is a good politician who have passion for the community, I am happy to witness today’s inauguration’’.
8
Top Government Officials
Total Support Group for Nigeria in Diaspora’s President, Alh Dauda Awwal appreciates the new Mayor and the supports he received from his wife and his three children, ‘’Mrs Martine and her children supports him and I commend their fruitful efforts and also commend the British and Conservative party for the opportunity given to the black and their supports they gave to Mayor Victor Eni ‘’Every successful man there must be a good wife behind’’.Awwal laments that Nigeria, 57 years ago was a country whose value system was high and the corruption was very low during the colonial era. After the independence of 1960 to the present time, all those values had vanished due to the bad leadership, tribalism, nepotism, religion. We have Ibo, Hausa and Yoruba leaders in Nigeria: people like Nnamdi Azikwe, Tafawa Balewa, Obafemi Awolowo. People came after them disappointed the nation in critical areas like education, health, 9
security, energy, road, water supply.President Buhari is trying his best to fix Nigeria fighting against corruption. Nigeria is complete in this place’’. He concluded his speech congratulated the new Mayor Victor Eni.
L-R:Three children of Mayor Victor Ikenna,Ogechi and Sophie Eni LLB
Mrs Anike Omoniyi who is a top official of TSGND,UK advised the new mayor to continue his loyalty to his community. General Secretary of TSGND, UK, Mrs Francis Oyewole appreciates Nigerians and nonNigerians for their supports to the success of the new mayor and she wishes him more long life.
10
Group Picture with the new mayor of Borehamwood
L-R: Cllr Eric Silver Showing his gift to the audience 11
Mrs Martine appreciates the guests for honouring the invitation and their supports for the success of the event.
Guests
In response, Mayor Victor said, ’’I am overwhelmed, I am so happy today and appreciate my political associates for their supports at all times, I appreciate my good wife and my children for their supports and also appreciate councillor Nneka for her special support for today’s event, I appreciate Total Support Group for Nigeria in Diaspora and other Councillors here today. May God bless you all’ ’Mayor Eni concluded.It was a historic event and colourful occasion.
12
PICTURES
13
L-R:Mayor Victor Eni,TSGND Assistant PRO Congratulating the new Mayor
Councillor Nneka Keazor of Enfield with Awwal
14
L-R:Mayor Victor Eni,TSGND General Secretary,Mrs Francis Oyewole
15
L-R Mayor Victor,TSGND President,Alhaji Dauda Awwal
L-R:Mayor Victor Eni,Official,Eric Silver.
16
Family and Friends at Mama Calabar Restaurant
17
Family and Friends at Mama Calabar Restaurant
Senator Mao Arukwe Ohuabunwa, a Nigerian politician, businessman and currently a serving Senator representing Abia North Senatorial District in the 8th National Assembly having served in the 4th was represented at this historic event by Chief Uzo
18
L-R:Chief Uzo representing the serving Senator Mao,Mrs Adedolapo Aminu
WHO IS MAYOR VICTOR ENI ?
Victor Okereke Eni was born in Port Harcourt, Rivers State Nigeria, to Late police inspector E K Eni and Oyidie Eni of Ndi Ukpabi compound Amannagwu Arochukwu. He lost his father at a very early age during the Nigeria civil and was brought up by his mother Mrs Oyidie Eni with his other siblings. 19
Growing up was a struggle coupled with several near fatal accidents involving his mother . His mother’s belief and positive attitude to live must have seen them through those rough periods. He was brought up to believe that hard work, focus and being yourself will see you through live. He started his primary education at Slessor primary school Amannagwu, Arochukwu before moving to Ibadan, Oyo state to live with his late uncle Mazi Joshua Okoro Eni to complete his primary school and then back to Aro to complete his Secondary education at Aggrey memorial college Arochukwu. After Secondary school Victor Eni worked briefly with Moore nails Nigeria Ltd, Aba. He was actively involved in Nzuko Aro meetings and was part of young Aro men searching for other avenues/ ways to involve and engage the youths to complement the good work the Elders were doing to promote Aro, the search led to the formation of Federal Arochukwu Youth Association against many opposition. The Federated Arochukwu youth association initially started with 3 branches namely Aba, Port Harcourt and Kano, with AGM being rotated among these branches. He later joined Peoples Bank of Nigeria as one of their pioneering staff and was stationed at Ekwulobia, Aguata local government of Anambra state. Victor Eni’s leadership qualities have been evident from an early age. Either as a class monitor, primary school head boy or a school prefect. Not satisfied with his working life in Nigeria, an opportunity to study in Europe came and Mazi Victor Okereke Eni seized on this to study at University of Hertfordshire, England where he obtained his BA(Hons) Business with Law. Being a pure Aro man and always seeking for ways to get involved with Aro community anywhere he found himself, Mazi Victor joined Nzuko Aro UK and was elected Assistant secretary. Mazi victor is also the current Chairman of Amannagwu community Association 20
UK and Ireland. Mazi Victor Eni Joined the management of Sainsbury’s plc after university until present times and has had several years in service management training, Mazi Eni is a qualified accident investigator. Not satisfied with being involved with Aro community in UK, Mazi Eni was active in other social groups in Hertsmere, North London. He became a member of the local twin town association called Elstree and Borehamwood twin town association and other social groups. He is also a member board of Governors of the Cowley Hill School UK. In 2009 he joined the local branch of the Conservative party and in 2015 contested and won seats as a councillor in both the town and district council elections. VIctor Eni is the first African to win a seat in Hertsmere district as well as in the town council of Elstree & Borehamwood in Hertfordshire . Mazi Victor Eni is the Treasurer of the Association of Nigeria Councillors UK. In 2018 he becomes the new Mayor Elect of Elstree & Borehamwood the first ever African in this seat. Mazi Eni is married to French woman over 20 years ago, Martine Eni has 3 children: Sophie Eni LLB, Ogechi Eni and Ikenna Eni .Mazi Victor Eni is someone who enjoys Travelling, Reading and Photography. He has awarded the award of Ikemba Aro.Mayor Victor believes his mother is the best mother in the world. Dal International News is published by Awwal Production International.
21