Nigerian-born Ernest Ezeajughi has been rewarded for his good work by being re-elected Mayor of Brent, United Kingdom. Councillor Ezeajughi is a former UK Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), a major political party in Nigeria and the ruling party of Ezeajughi’s home state, Anambra.

A report posted yesterday, Tuesday, September 15, 2020 on the council’s website, brent.gov.uk, said that Cllr Ernest Ezeajughi was the previous day “elected to continue as Mayor for another year, until 2021.”

“Cllr Ezeajughi was announced as the First Citizen of Brent at the Annual Meeting of Brent Council which took place as a virtual meeting. The event was attended by councillors from across the borough, and it also confirmed that Cllr Lia Colacicco, who represents Mapesbury ward, will continue as Deputy Mayor.

“During his Mayoral year, Cllr Ezeajughi will continue to promote Brent and participate in activities that help the economic, social, cultural and environmental wellbeing of Brent and its residents,” the report said.

It said that the new members of Brent committees were also officially appointed and the new cabinet was noted, adding that the new cabinet has eight portfolio members as well as a leader and deputy leader:

Leader of the Council – Cllr Muhammed Butt

Deputy Leader – Cllr Margaret McLennan

Adult Social Care – Cllr Harbi Farah

Community Safety and Engagement – Cllr Promise Knight

Public Health, Culture & Leisure – Cllr Neil Nerva

Children's Safeguarding, Early Help and Social Care – Cllr Mili Patel

Environment – Cllr Krupa Sheth

Housing & Welfare Reform – Cllr Eleanor Southwood

Schools, Employment and Skills – Cllr Thomas Stephens

Regeneration, Property & Planning – Cllr Shama Tatler

On Ezeajughi’s second term agenda, the report said: “The Mayor will continue to support his chosen charities during his year in office:

“Sickle Cell Society – First set up as a registered charity in Brent in 1979, the Sickle Cell Society is celebrating 40 years of working alongside health care professionals, parents, and people living with sickle cell to raise awareness of the disorder. The Society’s aim is to support and represent people affected by a sickle cell disorder to improve their overall quality of life.

“Jason Roberts Foundation – The foundation is a registered charity working to support young people to celebrate diversity and promote respect across the UK. The Foundation has worked with hundreds of children and young people from the Brent area. In recent years the work of the Foundation has broadened to provide a more holistic programme of support, including mentoring, life skills, education and training projects within its wider sports activities and has worked with young people at risk of offending, those excluded from school or struggling in the school curriculum, and young people with physical and learning difficulties.”

The report quoted the Mayor of Brent as saying: “The pandemic has made it an unusual and difficult year for all of us, and I haven’t been able to get out and see people as much as I would have wanted to. But I have had amazing support for my charities so far and it has been a privilege and honour to serve the people of Brent.

“I am delighted to be continuing as Mayor of Brent and raising awareness of the Sickle Cell Society and Jason Roberts Foundation.”