By Charles Igbo
Elizabeth Nneka Anionwu defeated abandonment, abuse by a racist step father when her Nigerian father was nowhere, deprivation in a Care-home, and became a roaring success – Professor, Dame, CBE
The millions of people, worldwide, who watched as she shone like a million stars at the historic Coronation of King Charles III on 6th May, 2023, hardly know her story.
All they saw was a woman, so privileged in life that she was chosen to carry the King’s Gold Orb, and represented the NHS.
But not true. That privilege was a product of the “never-say-die” attitude of a strong woman.
She had a very difficult upbringing. Life was tough for her. Even though she was born into a privileged home, fate deprived her of that privilege, and the comfort, and the joy, and the love of family, especially, of her parents.
The story of Dame Elizabeth Nneka Anionwu is inspiring. It is a story of despair, abandonment, humiliation, and finally, a roaring success.
Her father, Lawrence Anionwu, who she, finally, met as an adult, was not there for her, growing up in London, according to those who know her family. She grew up in a non conducive environment.
His father was Nigeria’s first Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Foreign Affairs. He was, also Nigeria’s first Ambassador to Italy.
Her mother was Irish, who later married her fellow “white”. So, young Elizabeth suffered the humiliation of not being loved by her step father because of her colour. He abused her.
Elizabeth was placed in a care home. She overcame, and became a roaring success.
She acquired education, and became a Professor of Nursing! Today, she is an Emeritus Professor of Nursing. She is, also, a Dame. And a CBE. She defeated abuse, humiliation, rejection, and racism.
Inspite of being deprived of her Nigerian father’s love, inspite of not growing up in the company of her Nigerian father, inspite of not growing up in Nigeria, the Professor, Dame, CBE, is proudly Nigerian. And flaunted it at the Coronation of King Charles III on Saturday.
She was nominated to carry the King’s Gold Orb, and represented the NHS. For the historic ceremony, she proudly “decked out” in her Nigerian attire – A long skirt and blouse, and a head tie to match. She is proudly Nigerian. And an inspiration to young women.
