A Nigerian broadcaster who previously worked at Radio Nigeria in the 1970s, Roseline Ogunro, has been appointed the mayor of Islington in London, United Kingdom on May 27.

The British-Nigerian worked her way to the top through years of volunteering and supporting persons living with disabilities.

Ms Ogunro, 73, described her journey as one of resilience, saying that she was among those who broke out of the stereotype of women who society chose to relegate.

“You know how women were relegated to the background, even up to the point that women couldn’t read the news when I joined,” she said. “As you heard, I was one of those to blaze the trail at that time.”

She said the appointment “means a lot” and will give her the avenue to meet and engage with diverse people across East Islington.

“It means the world to me. I don’t only have to know my ward, which is St. Peter’s and Canalside, but I get to go all over East Islington and meet the diverse community that we have—meet young, old, different colours of people, different shades of people from all walks of life,” Ms Ogunro said. 

“So, I get to go so many places and get to know Islington better. I was volunteering even in Nigeria. I was a member of the Soroptimist International of Great Britain and Ireland. It happens to be the first branch. Soroptimist is an organisation that uses professionals to uplift women.”

Veteran broadcaster Soni Irabor hailed Ms Ogunro’s mayoral appointment,  acknowledging her days of humble beginnings in Nigeria.

“Roseline”s velvet voice ruled the airwaves of Radio Nigeria every Sunday afternoon on the Family Favourite programme,” Mr Irabor wrote on LinkedIn. “So soothing was her voice that her listeners stayed glued to the radio, to enjoy her voice and her carefully selected choice of music.”

He also said that Ms Ogunro was trapped for 27 hours in the Radio Nigeria studio in the aftermath of Murtala Mohammed’s assassination in February 1976.

“February 13th 1976 happened! Nigeria’s head of state, General Murtala Mohammed was assassinated. It was a very dark day for Nigeria,” the veteran broadcaster wrote. “It was also the day young lady Roseline Ogunro spent a harrowing 27 hours trapped in the studios of Radio Nigeria as the announcer on duty amidst gun battle for the soul of Nigeria.”

Ms Ogunro holds a diploma in English and bachelor’s degree in law.