The ‘Home from Home’ project aims to explore the legacies of pioneering British Nigerians in the UK and their impact on society. The project highlights and celebrates British Nigerian contributions to the cultural, political, educational, artistic, spiritual, and sporting life of Britain and London, in particular. In this interview we feature Dr. (Councillor) Sunny Lambe, Author. FCIM. FIIM. MBA. FRSA. MBA
Your Bio/What do you do?
I am a community leader and business management consultant specialising in in SME with over 30 years’ experience covering public, private and voluntary sectors in the UK. In the past 10 years, I have diversified into politics. I was elected in May 2014 as Labour and Cooperative Councillor for South Bermondsey Ward in the London Borough of Southwark. I have held numerous leadership positions within the administration which including my current role as the Deputy Mayor of Southwark for 2024/2025.
What does “Home from Home” mean to you?
Home from Home to me means being part of the change you want to see in in your host country you live, work and prosper by also giving something back through volunteering, charity contribution, participation in the civic life and contributing in every way one can. I have been doing this since 1989 when I became the first union leader for the part time postal worker, and successfully fought for the improved working condition of my members before it came a national law during the Labour Party administration in 1997. I have also served school governor at primary, secondary and Further Education levels over the years.
How do you celebrate your Nigerian heritage?
I have celebrated my Nigerian and Yoruba Heritage in numerous ways over the years by being a good ambassador in whatever I was doing. I also supported the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation by volunteering with my professional expertise on policy development and support for many years at UK and European levels. I have also organising numerous Black History Month events celebrating my Africa, Nigerian and Yoruba heritage through wearing of cultural attire, dace, spoken words etc.
What does being “British Nigerian” mean to you?
Being British Nigerian means to me is to accept the opportunities being a British citizen affords me and also remembering my Africa, Nigerian Yoruba roots because a tree will without roots is like a river that forgets its source. It will run dry one day if it is a river. And a tree without roots leaves itself exposed to the elements and waiting for destruction.
How do you stay connected to your identity?
I organise cultural events. I wear my African, Nigerian , Yoruba attires. I speak Yoruba. I join some Nigerian/Yoruba organisations including the ones I setup myself, which include the Nigerian Political Minds, British Yoruba Councillors UK, etc. I also have some friends we hang out once a month over drink, African cousins and some palm-wine mixed with Guinness Stout.
What does culture mean to you?
Culture means everything to me. It is my sources of inspiration and existence. It tells me who I am, what I am, where I have come from, and the ‘omoluabi values’ associated with my culture and the importance of them in interaction with outside world. Without knowledge of one’s culture and heritage, one is like human walking dead. My dad used to send a postal letter message those days which used to contain the phrase, ‘remember the son of who you are’. A warning that reminds me about my cultural heritage and value of ‘omoluabi’ principles which are still very pertinent to professional and social development up till today.
What do you imagine the future of the British Nigerian Community to look like in the next few years based on your industry?
I see more British Nigerians getting more and more confident and involved in every aspects of British lives-politics, arts and cultures, business and enterprise, bridging the gaps between home from home and sharing knowledge and experiences gained in the UK to transform Nigeria and Yorubaland positively.
Links to website/Social Media:
www.sunnylambe.com; www.bbinitiative.com
Twitter/X@sunnylambe; Facebook@sunnylambe; instagram@sunnyalambe
