*Hosted Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II in her final major public engagement
* ‘I made a conscious decision not to let the Negatives of Life define me but to devote my life to supporting my fellow Human beings’
*‘I do not and will not shy away from the mission and goals that I have set myself: the Dedication of my Life to Peace, Justice, Freedom and Humanity. We all have a role to play and contributions to making this World a better place’
*“Service to Humanity: from assisting the blind to cross the road safely to sharing a piece of bread with neighbours, providing shelter for the homeless or offering a couple of cents to get water for someone who is thirsty. It is doing what you can for the other person who is less fortunate than yourself, no matter how small. I have been involved in Public duty for 25 years”-AMB. ADELEKE
Dr. Gbola Adeleke is a globally recognized humanitarian, former Mayor of Dacorum, and one of today’s most compelling voices for dignity, equity, and the protection of women and children. His career bridges continents and sectors, from leading multinational operations to shaping public service and driving global advocacy. As Global Ambassador for AfrikLink and a senior leader within the Leaders Without Borders Development Centre, he continues to inspire action, elevate vulnerability, and champion a more just and compassionate world.
Long before mayoral duties, global ambassadorships, or humanitarian recognition, there was Ibadan, the historic and expansive market city of Oyo State, Nigeria, where Gbola was born, bred, and raised within its lively communities. Young Gbola grew up surrounded by the vibrancy, traditions, and richness that made Ibadan unique. During his childhood, in the night he spent under wide open skies studying the stars, days roaming green forests, and joyful moments picking mangoes, oranges, and bananas from trees that filled the landscape.
Gbola began his professional path in the UK civil service within the Solicitor and High Court Division. The role trained him in governance, integrity, and procedural discipline. From there, his career expanded into the computer sector, the automotive industry, and eventually international business operations. As Managing Director and Group Secretary of the multinational Fairgate Group, he oversaw large-scale projects spanning the United Kingdom, France, Switzerland, and several countries in sub-Saharan Africa. Managing more than 2,000 employees, he demonstrated an ability to lead diverse teams, navigate complex environments, and create systems based on accountability and cohesion.
Despite his success, there remained a quiet voice inside him calling him toward something more. His childhood experiences, his values, and his empathy for others gradually pulled him toward public service, where he felt he could create lasting change.
In 2016, Dr. Adeleke hosted Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II during what would become her final major public engagement. Sitting beside her at the high table, he experienced a moment filled with humility, history, and profound gratitude. Yet even then, he reminded himself that true honor does not come from sitting beside a queen but from standing beside the vulnerable. The experience strengthened his commitment to serve humanity with integrity and courage.
In this one-on-one chat with NAIJA STANDARD NEWSPAPER Inc USA, Dr Gbola took us down memory lane on his philosophy of life, why he embraced peace, freedom all through his career and why humanity’s comfort has consistently been his watchword. Enjoy…
*NAIJA STANDARD: How did you feel at your elevation as the Humanitarian Envoy, GhandiMandela in the United Kingdom?
* Dr (Mayor)Cllr Amb., Gbola Adeleke: As Humanitarian Envoy, Madagascar Gandhi Mandela Foundation, I am humbled and privileged to be associated with the lives, values and ideals of these two Great Men that ever graced our planet. Mahatma Gandi and Nelson Mandela were two outstanding and revered Men who devoted their lives to Peace, Freedom, Non-violence and Humanity. I am equally committed to these “Ideals” in my act, deed and association for the good of Humanity.
*NAIJA STANDARD: What past roles do you think adequately prepare you for this new position?
* Dr (Mayor)Cllr Amb., Gbola Adeleke: I have been fortunate to have a Blessed and fulfilling Life. However, my origin and childhood experience tell a different story. Growing up as a Child, in a young Country that has just been freed from Colonial Masters, I was exposed to and witnessed the brutality of living from hand to mouth, the bitterness of struggling to survive, the pain of watching helplessly some people for whom ‘tomorrow may never come’.
I made a conscious decision not to let the “Negatives of Life” define me but to devote my life to supporting my fellow Human beings. Hence, my guiding principle, “If by my Act and Deed I can put a Smile on Somebody’s face, then my Life as a Human being is Worth it”
*NAIJA STANDARD: How do you intend to leave a lasting legacy at the end of your tenure?
* Dr (Mayor)Cllr Amb., Gbola Adeleke: The “Act of Humanity” has no sell by date. I am a tiny fish in the middle of gigantic Oceans when it comes to being a Voice of and for Humanitarian platforms.
However, I do not and will not shy away from the mission and goals that I have set myself. That is the “Dedication of my Life to Peace, Justice, Freedom and Humanity”. I hope the ripples of my contributions in life will touch far shores.
It does not matter who you are, what you are or how you are. We all have a role to play and contributions to make this World a better place. To ensure we live a peaceful Planet for the future generation.
*NAIJA STANDARD: As a distinguished global leader, humanitarian personality, a former Mayor of Dacorum and respected Councilor in the United Kingdom, what does service to humanity means to you?
* Dr (Mayor)Cllr Amb., Gbola Adeleke: Service to Humanity in its simplest form is “It is what you give that counts, not what you take”. There are millions of people all over the World who are “Unsung Heroes and Heroines”. They help and support fellow human beings with simple gestures and activities with no financial tags attached. From assisting the blind to cross the road safely to sharing a piece of bread with neighbours, providing shelter for the homeless or offering a couple of cents to get water for someone who is thirsty. It is doing what you can for the other person who is less fortunate than yourself, no matter how small.
The Celebrity Headline and Tabloid-catching donations do not wash with me. “Act of Kindness” should not be a passport for publicity or personal gains.
*NAIJA STANDARD: What are some of the highpoints of your public office career in the United Kingdom?
* Dr (Mayor)Cllr Amb., Gbola Adeleke: With unique perspectives, balance of contrarian thinking, measured judgment and unwavering commitment to creating positive change, I have used my time in Public Office to influence key decision-making processes on strategic public policies and directives. I have been involved in public duty for around 25 years now. The road has not been that straight and the playing field has not been all that level. I remember attending my first Party Political Conference in 2003 or so and being the only Black face among Thousands of Delegates. Similar pictures emerged in various events in subsequent years, but we have indeed come a long way. Today, the United Kingdom has members of the Ethnic Minorities as the government Leader of the Opposition, Mayors, High Sheriffs, Council Leaders, Government Ministers and many more.
I have also been privileged to be in the company of many Senior Government figures, Diplomats and Government Ministers. I also had the honour of making visits to Buckingham Palace, meeting Senior Royals on various occasions, Civic and Ceremonial events, and later Lunch with our Late Queen Elizabeth II.
*NAIJA STANDARD: Your lifestyle reflects a profound commitment to service. How do you maintain this virtuous personality?
* Dr (Mayor)Cllr Amb., Gbola Adeleke: As a team player, I am focused on delivery and skilled in influencing distributed cross-functional teams with participants from different discipline. I have a clear understanding of matters relating to general well-being, governance, and leadership.
I am always driven by desire to support our families of Community even in the most challenging of circumstances. I am also passionate about supporting inclusion and diversity and making a difference at all levels.
I believe in commitment, dedication, transparency, and inclusiveness. I ensure that my actions, decisions, and expectations are fair, balanced, transparent and cross all divide. I also believe in upholding standard, positive values and ethos that reflect example of ‘Best practice’.
There is no absolute perfection in anyone. I tried to maintain a calculated balanced routine and focused regime. I ensure that my core ‘principles and ethos’ in life, along with my unshaken belief in humanity, are not compromised by ensuring that.
*NAIJA STANDARD: What inspired you to consistently fight for Dignity, Equity, and Peace with all persons?
* Dr (Mayor)Cllr Amb., Gbola Adeleke: I am deeply committed to the notion that ‘All Women and Men are created equal…. that our beautiful blue planet has so much to offer…. that our similarities are much greater than our differences…that from above, we are All One…. that the Planet is NOT a plc of any Individual or Nation’…. that We are all Tenants and do not have any legitimate right or otherwise to destroy Planet Earth.
*NAIJA STANDARD: Can you describe those moments you served as Borough Councillor for Bovingdon Chipperfield and Flaunden?
* Dr (Mayor)Cllr Amb., Gbola Adeleke: It has been a long journey. I remember campaigning and standing for my first Election in 2003. I have since fought and won a further five Elections. My Constituents are brilliant as Individuals and as a community. If I must start all over again, I will still choose Bovingdon, Chipperfield and Flaunden as my ‘Seat’.
Of course, it is not all plain sailing. Nothing is in Politics. Unfortunately, there are local and national issues which affect lives and properties. Politicians are expected to have all the answers, but they don’t. There are limits and boundaries, but these can be overcome through mutual understanding and the ability to work together on common purposes for the good of All
*NAIJA STANDARD: What new ideas are you introducing into your new position?
* Dr (Mayor)Cllr Amb., Gbola Adeleke: The GandhiMandela Foundation was established to promote the timeless values, ideals, and principles of these two Great men, Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela, fostering global peace, non-violence, individual freedom, civil liberties, and human rights. As Humanitarian Envoy, I will uphold these ideals by setting myself as “An example of Best practice”
I will ensure that the views, expectations, mission, vision, and values of the GandhiMandela Foundation are accurately and fairly represented. Through constructive participation, I will support GandhiMandela Foundation in its quest to accommodate expanded vision, embrace accountability and transparency, make the best use of available resources, ensure sustainable and effective delivery and champion humanitarian cause globally.
*NAIJA STANDARD: Do you have any regret working as a Public Officer ever in the United Kingdom?
* Dr (Mayor)Cllr Amb., Gbola Adeleke: Absolutely no regret. Integration is not physical. It must happen from within. If you uproot yourself from one environment to another, it is my firm belief that you must make compromises, respect your new environment, absorb the cultures and be part of the process. From my college days in Nigeria, I have been attracted to politics, attending rallies and the Houses of Parliament. I have always believed that to Implement change or work for change, you must be part of the process. So, the whole immersion into Public life and duties came naturally to me when I came and settled in the United Kingdom.
*NAIJA STANDARD: How do you advocate for the Rights of Women and Children facing Gender-based violence?
* Dr (Mayor)Cllr Amb., Gbola Adeleke: By re-writing the America Declaration of Independence that “All Women and Men are Created Equal….”
No one should have a monopoly on another person’s life
Women, Girls and Children are the most vulnerable and the most exploited in our World today. They are intimated, abused, degraded, cohered, brutalised, ignored, and cheated out of all ‘Rights’ as Human beings
The World forgets that Women are the source of Creation and Children are the future. That is why I believe they deserve protection, respect and due recognition. Any form of Violence and Abuse against Women and Girls should have no place in Humanity”
I am particularly concerned about the situation in some parts of the World where Women can only be seen but not heard, particularly in Afghanistan. The situation is negatively compounded in Afghanistan where Girls are excluded from Education.
Women’s education is a fundamental “Human Rights” and a core driver of sustainable global development. If the Free World can Stop Slavery, Segregation, Colonisation and Apartheid. The World can and should “FREE AFGHANISTAN WOMEN and GIRL.
I use my Writings, Social Media Platform, Press releases, Talks, Speeches, Interviews, Lectures to raise awareness on the problem and call out the Perpetrators, be it Individuals or States
My Message on the issue is clear. Enough is Enough”. Women, Girls and Children have a right to Life
At the same time, I celebrate courageous, and principled Women, Girls and Children like Malala Yousafzai and thousands more all over the world who refused to let Violence and Intimidation define them
My ultimate dream and hope is to see a World where “Women should Walk besides not behind Men”.
*NAIJA STANDARD: Kindly take us through your migration from Nigeria to the United Kingdom?
* Dr (Mayor)Cllr Amb., Gbola Adeleke: I had a relatively happy childhood in Nigeria. It was a young developing Country enjoying the best of what Nature has to offer. Nothing was in short supply, and I have fond memories of wandering into forests to pick oranges, mangoes, bananas and even pineapple. Even most of these fruits grow freely in Neighbourhoods and on the roadside. In what I always refer to as ‘Happy days’, the population of Nigeria then was a manageable 60 million. Today, the same population has rocketed to a catastrophic 242 million, with diminishing resources too. To me, I would always cherish Nigeria of yesterday. When I arrived in the UK for further studies, Winters were still bitterly cold, pavements were ice-solid, Police men were patrolling on the streets, there were fewer cars on the roads, bottle milk delivered to doorsteps, Coal mines were fully operational, the Queen and the Queen Mother were alive. I graduated in Marketing, Public Relations, and Communications, after which I became a permanent Residence here. So much has changed but one thing remains dearest to my heart, I will always put “Great” next to Britain (Great Britain).
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