Categories: SportsThe World

I am proudly Nigerian, Anthony Joshua tells Royal Family

Last updated on September 11th, 2021 at 03:00 pm

World Heavyweight Champion, Anthony Joshua has given a rousing speech in London in front of the Royal Family in which he spoke about his Yoruba roots and Nigerian heritage.

He spoke on Monday night during the Commonwealth Day celebration service held at Westminster Abbey.

“My name is Anthony Oluwafemi Olaseni Joshua and like many of you here, I’m a child of the Commonwealth.

“I was born in Watford and my heritage is Nigerian.

“I come from the Yoruba people who are the largest and some might say the loudest ethnic group in all of Africa.

Anthony-Joshua meets the Queen at the end of the event

“I am proudly Nigerian and I am proudly British.

“I join a long line, perhaps too long to count, of UK citizens of Commonwealth origin who’ve made enormous contributions to this great, multicultural society of ours.

“In my world, that would include names such as Joshua Buatsi, Lawrence Okolie and Ramla Ali.

“Like me, so many children of the Commonwealth have two homes, two identities, two cultures and two ways of viewing the world. Some even have more than two.

“It takes a village to raise a child and in the same vein it takes a whole community to stand together to tackle some of the challenges we are confronted with today.

“In the same way boxing gave me the opportunity and framework to become Olympic champion, Commonwealth champion and now heavyweight champion of the world.

He ended the rousing speech by toasting to the Commonwealth, using his favuorite meals as symbolisms.

“So, here’s to fish and chips and egusi soup and pounded yam, to the UK and Nigeria and to the children of the Commonwealth,” Joshua said.

Some of the Commonwealth’s top entertainers and sporting stars joined Queen Elizabeth and other members of the Royal Family at the multi-faith service to celebrate Commonwealth Day.

It was attended by more than 2,000 people in London’s Westminster Abbey.

The service was attended by the head of the Commonwealth, Queen Elizabeth II, as well as its Secretary-General, Patricia Scotland.

The Prince of Wales, The Duchess of Cornwall, The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, The Duke and Duchess of Sussex and the Earl and Countess of Wessex also attended the service which was broadcast live on BBC radio and television.

(BBC)

Albert Echetah

Recent Posts

Africa and GCC Trade Doubles to $121 Billion

Trade between African and GCC countries stands at $ 121 billion in 2023, double of what it was in 2016.…

December 21, 2024

Families in Mayotte rebuilding their homes complain of lack of help

Family members struggling after one week after  of Cyclone Chido ripped through the French island territory of Mayotte expressed helplessness…

December 21, 2024

Ethiopian PM Inaugurates UAE-Funded Orphanage in Oromia

The United Arab Emirates has launched its orphanage project in Ethiopia's Oromia region on the orders of President Sheikh Mohamed…

December 21, 2024

A Rising Femicide Threat, Kenya’s Call to End Gender Based Violence

In just four months, 100 women have been killed, the majority by males they knew including spouses. Prime Cabinet Secretary…

December 20, 2024

Actor C Confion has passed away

The Ghanaian entertainment industry is in deep mourning following the sudden death of Bright Owusu, better known as C Confion.…

December 20, 2024

South Africa: 512 Accident Deaths and 941 Arrested for Drunk Driving Just on December Month

Since the beginning of December more than five hundred people have lost their lives on the nation's highways. Barbara Creecy,…

December 19, 2024

This website uses cookies.