In Ingersoll, Canada, Khadijah Haliru, originally from Nigeria and a councilor, has launched the Black Opportunity Network initiative. The program aims to provide training for immigrants seeking leadership roles in local government.
Faridah Mamud, the Personal Assistant of Haliru, shared the news in a statement titled ‘Nigerian councillors take the lead in empowering future Black municipal leaders in Canada and beyond.’
The statement, obtained by NewsNow on Friday, revealed that the initiative, designed to boost Black representation in municipal governments, has garnered strong support from various black community leaders.
The program was officially inaugurated at a dinner in Ingersoll, where Councillor Khadijah Haliru welcomed a distinguished group of municipal leaders.
During the event, Haliru, the founder of BON (Black Opportunity Network), highlighted the urgent necessity of enhancing diversity in municipal leadership. She emphasized that local governments play a crucial role in the daily lives of residents.
Haliru, along with other councilors in attendance, emphasized the significance of mentoring prospective candidates to equip them for the complexities of municipal campaigns. This gathering marked the official launch of a program aimed at nurturing the next cohort of municipal leaders,” the statement further mentioned.
In an interview, Haliru mentioned that the initiative will also involve collaborating with local government stakeholders in Nigeria to ensure effective grassroots governance, particularly in light of the recent Supreme Court ruling on local government autonomy.