A Nigerian-British nurse, Dame Elizabeth Anionwu, was allowed to carry the Golden Orb during the coronation ceremony of King Charles III in London on Saturday.
Dele Momodu, publisher of Ovation magazine shared a picture of Dame Anionwu with the Orb on his official Instagram page.
He also noted her decision to wear a Nigerian headgear instead of a hat like an average Briton would as well her pride in being Nigerian.
Dame Elizabeth Anionwu is a renowned nurse and healthcare advocate who has been recognized for her contributions to the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK as well as for her work raising awareness about sickle cell disease.
In an interview with ITV News, she revealed that she had received a call from Buckingham Palace inviting her to participate in the coronation ceremony of King Charles III at Westminster Abbey in London and that she was chosen to carry the Golden Orb during the ceremony.
The Golden Orb is a symbol of the monarch’s authority and is traditionally carried by a senior member of the royal family during the coronation ceremony.
However, in recent years, there has been a trend towards including non-royal participants in the ceremony as a way of recognizing their contributions to society.
Nigerian-British citizen, Elizabeth Anionwu, an accomplished nurse did a good job of representing Britain’s minority groups and reiterates the need to recognize and celebrate the contributions of individuals from diverse backgrounds.
In recent years, there has been a growing awareness of the need to address issues of racism and discrimination in British society, particularly in light of the Black Lives Matter movement and the disproportionate impact of COVID-19 on ethnic minority communities. This has led to increased efforts to promote diversity and inclusion in all areas of society, including politics, education, and the media.
At the same time, there has been a backlash against these efforts, with some arguing that they are divisive and contribute to a sense of victimhood among minority groups. The notion has led to a polarization of views, with some advocating for more affirmative action to promote diversity, while others argue that merit should be the only criterion for selection.
In the case of Dame Elizabeth Anionwu, her participation in the coronation ceremony reflects a broader trend towards recognizing the contributions of individuals from diverse backgrounds in British society. Her status as a Nigerian-British citizen is a source of pride for many, and her achievements in healthcare and advocacy have been widely celebrated.
However, the fact that her participation in the ceremony has generated controversy highlights the ongoing challenges of promoting diversity and inclusion in British society.
While some may argue that her participation is a positive step towards greater representation of minority groups, others see it as tokenism or a form of “virtue signaling.”