MEET KATE ANOLUE, ANAMBRA BORN NIGERIAN WHO BECAME A U.K MAYOR

Kate Anolue is Nanka in Orumba South Local Government Area of Anambra State and she was elected Mayor of Enfield Borough in the United Kingdom. Read the inspiring story of the widow and mother of four;

I joined my husband in England at a young age in 1971. I trained as a nurse, since this had always been my dad’s desire, and became qualified after three years. I also had another 18 months training as a midwife. By 1977, I had already acquired two certificates while I also had two children. I was able to stay on my job as a full-time worker with my husband’s support. By 1984, my children were four while I had also risen in my profession to the post of a team leader.

Unfortunately in 1985, October precisely, I lost my husband and things took a downturn. 

The future became bleak. I was left with four kids to cater for. The eldest was 13 years and the others were five and nine years old respectively. The youngest was 18 months old. Fortunately for me, I had around me friends who were supportive.

I saw my husband’s death and the responsibility of raising my children as a cross I had to bear. I therefore rose to the challenge. Most of my managers were likewise supportive. They all did their best to encourage me by giving me work schedules that were flexible. With this, I was able to give my children the necessary attention.

When my last daughter was eight years old, the urge to do something different from nursing came up again. I applied for Law, and, during an interview with my lecturer, he asked with utmost disbelief “With a good profession as a midwife, why do you want to study law?” I told him I studied nursing to please my father and he’s happy. Now I also want to make myself happy. It took five years to complete the course as a part- time student.

On how she made it to her present office

I knew that, as a Nigerian and a woman in a foreign land, I must not settle for less, this was my driving force. After studying and graduating in Law, I started going to the council to seek information on issues. I later began to make enquiries on how councils were run and how their leaders were elected. I was advised to join a political party. I began to study the manifesto of the existing parties. I was attracted to the values and ideas of the Labour Party.

In 1997, I became an active member and my activities moved from Ethnic Minority Officer between 1998 and 2000 to that of Women Officer between 2000 and 2002.

My post as the Women Officer kept me busy because I was always bringing women issues to the fore. This opened me up to a lot of information. I later became a school governor and was privileged to have more information and knowledge of how the society was run.

As time went on, I began to develop interest in the councillor seat. I was always at the campaign meetings, learning how to pull all the strings. Next, I joined members of the parliament to build my confidence in public speaking.

At the time of selection for the councillor seat, I was interviewed and asked to present my qualifications. I presented with confidence my resume as a school governor, Enfield Women Aid (support to women who suffered domestic violence), Enfield Women Centre (support to enhance women’s mental revolution), full time worker and an active member of the party. My background in Law also gave me an edge. I was selected and then the campaign kicked off.

On her efforts to convince people that she was fit for the post

Before the election, I knocked at 6,000 doors to present our party manifesto and campaign my candidature. This went on every day till I was able to achieve meeting everyone one on one.

My campaign cut across all races and tribes living in my ward. I was able to convince them that I was competent for the job and that they could count on me. Some slammed the door at me when they saw I’m black, while others threatened to pour water on me. I won my first election in 2002 and had a repeat of this victory in 2006 and 2010.

Towards the end of my tenure as a councillor in 2010, I gave the post of mayor a trial. The biggest hurdle was winning 37 colleagues to my side for endorsement. At the end of the day, I had more than the required number for the endorsement. I eventually won the seat of deputy mayor. This was to nurture and put me under observation to see how I would perform if I later became the mayor. This was quite necessary because the mayor is the first citizen of a borough. Enfield is the fourth largest borough out of the 32 boroughs in London. Enfield is a big borough while I receive any visitor coming to this borough.