Nigerian trained Lawyer, Kelechi Madu appointed as Justice Minister and Solicitor-General of Alberta, Canada
Kelechi Madu has joined other Nigerians making us proud in the diaspora following his recent appointment as the Minister of Justice and Solicitor General, the Provincial Secretary, and Keeper of the Great Seal of the Province of Alberta. Prior to his new appointment, Kelechi Madu was serving as the Minister of Municipal Affairs.
Kelechi is an alumnus of the prestigious University of Lagos, Nigeria, where he obtained a Bachelor of Law degree in 2001. He migrated to Canada in 2005.
In 2009, Kelechi was awarded the Premier’s Award of Excellence in the bronze medal category, an award presented to members of Saskatchewan’s public service (individuals, groups, or teams) who have made outstanding on-the-job contributions to the government and citizens of the province.
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Kelechi Madu first made history when he became the first Nigerian-born member of the Legislative Assembly of the Province of Alberta, representing the electoral district of Edmonton-South West, following the 2019 election. He was the sole candidate representing the United Conservative Party to be elected into the assembly. On April 30, 2019, Kelechi was appointed to the Executive Council of Alberta as the Minister of Municipal Affairs and held that role until August 25, 2020, when he was appointed Minister of Justice and Solicitor General.
On March 4, 2020, Kelechi Madu was designated as a Queen’s Counsel by the Lieutenant Governor of Alberta via an Order-in-Council. Queen’s Counsel is the highest honor awarded to lawyers who have made significant contributions to the advancement of law and society.
Following his latest appointment, Kelechi took to his LinkedIn page to reflect on his new appointment and vowed to ensure that everyone in Alberta has access to equal justice. He said his legal work has always been informed by the fundamental belief that everyone deserves equal access to justice, adding
that this will never change.
Kelechi added:
“As I reflect upon my new appointment as the Minister of Justice and Solicitor General, the Provincial Secretary and Keeper of the Great Seal of our great Province of Alberta, the importance of carrying this ministry forward amid these difficult social and economic times weighs heavily on my mind. My fundamental belief that every soul deserves equal access to justice has always informed my legal work, and that will never change…As a foreign-trained lawyer, I cherish the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, which says, “Every individual is equal before and under the law and has the right to the equal protection and equal benefit of the law without discrimination.” I want to ensure that these words flourish in the lives of Albertans, and inspire confidence, not uncertainty…I look forward to working on many critical democratic reforms, including recall legislation and important citizenship initiative referendums, and taking the lead role on the implementation of our government’s fight for a fair deal within the confederation.”
While speaking on Kelechi’s appointment, the Premier of Alberta, Jason Kenney said his appointment makes a strong indication especially in a time when Albertans have become more sensitive than ever to racial matters. According to the Premier, Kelechi is the first Black Canadian to occupy either provincial or federal justice positions of the justice minister, attorney general or solicitor general.
Nigerian trained Lawyer, Kelechi Madu appointed as Justice Minister and Solicitor-General of Alberta, Canada, and we are proud.