A curious Nigerian publisher and tech enthusiast, Gbenro Adegbola, has delved into the Nigerian name, Sir Kenneth Aphunezi Olisa, OBE which was spotted in the order of procession for the Queen’s funeral last week.
Adegbola’s research revealed in a Twitter post that rare ‘strange’ name on the “Order of Procession” was born in the UK in 1951 to a Nigerian Law student father.
His dig showed that Olisa never met his father who had a relationship with his British mother.
Olisa is the High Bailiff and Searcher of the Sanctuary of Westminster Abbey, a role which connected him with the funeral.
He said he was appointed in 2021.
“Sir Kenneth Olisa was born in the UK in 1951 to a Nigerian law student father and British mother. He never met his father.
“He is High Bailiff & Searcher of the Sanctuary of Westminster Abbey, a lay role by which he was connected with the funeral, to which he was appointed 2021.”
Highlighting the responsibilities of the High Baillif as one of the principal external advisers to the Dean & Chapter of Westminster Abbey and partakes in the church’s remarkable events, he said
“The High Bailiff acts as one of the principal external advisers to the Dean & Chapter of Westminster Abbey, and takes part in the Abbey’s most significant ceremonial occasions.”
It was further revealed that Olisa was the first black Briton to be honored and since 2015, he has been the Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London which is a major palace chieftaincy in which one out of 96 courtiers who act as the Queen’s personal representatives in their localities stand in for the Queen when she is unable to attend an event locally.
“But he’s also, since 2015, the Lord-Lieutenant of Greater London. He’s the first black Briton so honoured. This is a very important ‘palace chieftaincy’, one of 96 courtiers who function as the Queen’s personal representatives in their localities.
“They stand in for the Queen when unable to attend an event locally. They also welcome her when she visits their locality.”
Olisa, fondly known as the most influential black Briton is also a successful businessman and philanthropist. He is the founder Interregnum, a merchant bank, also the chairman of Interswitch.
“Just been informed that Sir Keneth Olisa is also the chairman of Interswitch. He also heads a relatively newly foundation, Charles Olisa Charity Foundation named for his late father, Charles Olisa of Aboh, Delta State, who died in 1963. It aims to aid SMEs.”
It’s not known if he will continue to serve the new king as Lord-Lieutenant, Adegbola stated.