Omoniyi urges Nigerians in UK to engage and honour local representatives

Adewale Omoniyi, President of the Patronage of Nigerians in the United Kingdom and former Ogun State governorship candidate, has called on Nigerians living in the UK to build stronger relationships with their elected local representatives.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting in Manchester, Omoniyi commended four Nigerian-heritage councillors in Greater Manchester and Trafford for their significant contributions to the welfare of the Nigerian community.

According to Omoniyi, these councillors have gone beyond legislative duties to personally intervene in urgent situations such as preventing deportations, providing temporary accommodation for stranded students, mentoring young Nigerians, creating job opportunities, and supporting victims of Certificate of Sponsorship (COS) scams.

Those recognised include Councillor Erinma Bell (Labour, Moss Side, Manchester), known for grassroots activism and public safety campaigns; Councillor Olusegun Ogunbambo (Labour, Higher Blackley, Manchester), noted for youth mentorship and immigrant rights advocacy; Councillor Chioma Mgbeokwere (Labour, Pendlebury & Clifton, Salford), engaged in housing and educational support programmes; and Councillor Oladimeji Sorinwa (Labour, Carrington, Trafford), who promotes enterprise initiatives and migrant welfare.

Omoniyi, who previously served as Special Assistant to the Ogun State Governor between 2003 and 2007, highlighted the tendency of Nigerians to celebrate politicians back home while overlooking those who serve them abroad.

“Here in the UK, it is these local representatives we turn to in moments of crisis, and they have never failed to stand by us,” he said.

A formal letter of appreciation, signed by the group’s secretary Chief Olagoke Oladosu, was presented to the councillors at the meeting. Omoniyi pledged closer collaboration with Nigerian-heritage representatives in the UK and other countries and announced plans to establish annual awards to recognise diaspora leaders making exceptional community contributions.