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Nigerian born Speaker of Hackney Shares her experiences
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THE QUEEN, Prince Charles and Tony Blair are just some of the people Cllr Afolasade Bright has had the chance to meet during her eventful year as the Speaker of Hackney.
But even more important to her are the many residents, community groups, faith leaders and business owners who have welcomed her to their events and into their lives. "The people of Hackney are so warm and welcoming and they have made my year as the Speaker truly memorable," Cllr Bright said. Here, she talks about her highlights from the past 12 months as the borough's first citizen. |
What has been the best thing about being the Speaker?
It's not about the glamour of wearing the chains and going to big events, but the opportunity to meet with residents, community groups, business owners, faith leaders and many more. Hackney has a tradition of tolerance which makes it a refreshing place to live and visit.
We're an example to others of how people from many different backgrounds can live together happily, and I have enjoyed promoting this among other areas of London and the UK.
The International Hackney event in February was a great example of this. Hackney is such a rich and diverse community and this event was a world of nations, a true celebration of everyone in Hackney. People have not stopped talking about it.
What was the highlight of your year?
I led the Civic Service at St Mary's Church at the end of November. Hackney had not had a civic service to celebrate the borough for 36 years and I was so proud. We had ambassadors and high commissioners, representatives from partners including the police and ambulance service, a wide range of community and faith leaders, and many residents. There were about 600 guests in total. It was a wonderful event which brought together people from different faiths, communities and political affiliations.
Leading the citizenship ceremonies has also been hugely important to me. They happen three times a week and are extremely special occasions to everyone taking part. They have gone through a lot to become citizens and this is the final step.
What have you learnt during your year as the Speaker?
I've lived in Hackney for 15 years, but in the past year I've come to appreciate just how warm the people of Hackney are. I've learnt so much about the wealth of cultures and religions we have in the Borough. I've enjoyed attending events and meeting people at venues ranging from churches, mosques and synagogues, to care centres, hospitals, community centres and schools. The Tet-Vietnamese New Year celebrations which I was invited to take part in at the VLC Community Centre (an organisation for refugees from Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia) in February were so enjoyable and just one of many events where I was made to feel so welcome.
Tell us more about your work with schools?
I've visited more than 35 schools to talk to the children about the role of the Speaker and what the Council does. I relate it to their school councils to make it easier for them to understand.
I also bring a lot of them to the Council Chambers at Hackney Town Hall which they find fascinating. This is important because they can see the place where decisions are made and understand how these decisions affect their lives.
How did you feel about being elected as Speaker?
I was delighted and very proud to be elected as Speaker by my fellow Councillors. I live in Hackney and my children go to school here. I wanted to give something back to the community.
I've tried to serve the people of our Borough in a dignified manner. What I love about Hackney is the fact that people are so passionate about the place - we're all Hackney residents and we're proud of where we
live.
What charities have you raised money for?
I chose to raise money for two charities - Age Concern Hackney and St Joseph's Hospice. I chose Age Concern Hackney for two reasons:
in memory of my grandmother who looked after me when I was growing up in Nigeria, and because they provide incredible service for the elderly in our community. St Joseph's Hospice has been in Hackney for 102 years and I wanted to support the marvellous work it does for terminally ill people and their
families.
Tell us a bit more about yourself?
I was born in Nigeria, where I had my early education, which I continued in Britain. I have served as a Councillor for Haggerston ward since 2002 and was Deputy Speaker in 2005-06.
I am a devout Christian and have been married to Gbolahan, a maths and science teacher, for 15 years. We have three wonderful children - Joshua, 14, Princess, 11, and nine-year-old Abisola. Being a mum is my most important job.
What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?
Spending time with my family is very important to me. We enjoy travelling abroad to other countries. We also like playing in the park, swimming at London Fields Lido and going to the library. I love to pamper myself and I try to go for a sauna and steam twice a week as a treat after I've been to the gym.
What will you do next?
After meeting so many people, I've been inspired to learn another language so I plan to visit Hackney Community College soon. Before I took on the role of the Speaker, I worked as a human resources (HR) professional at Southwark Council, where I'd worked for 15 years. I took a year of unpaid leave because I was so passionate about serving the people of Hackney. I've got a few ideas about what I'll do next but my lips are sealed at the moment. And finally I'd like to thank Hackney's residents for making my year as the Speaker so memorable. I would also like to thank everyone in the Council for their support, in particular the Deputy Speaker, Cllr Faizullah Khan.And my husband Gbolahan, who has been my consort for the past two years, has been brilliant. He is always there, encouraging and supporting me. I couldn't have fulfilled this role in the way I have without him.
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