A NIGERIAN art activist, creative entrepreneur and philanthropist, Chief Josephine Oboh-Macleod has been confirmed by her party, the Scottish Conservative Party, to contest for the councillorship of Kirkintilloch in Scotland in May.
Breaking the news on her social media handle, the founder of Kakofoni-Johfrim Gallery & ArtSpace in Scotland, and Kakofoni Art Gallery in Lekki Lagos, said she decided to vie for the office to deliver “humanitarian politics” in the service of the people of her council area, Kirkintilloch North, East and Twacher.
Mrs Oboh-Macleod, who before she relocated to Scotland, had made quite a significant contribution to the career of many visual and performing arts in Nigeria, profusely thanked her party, The Scottish Conservative, for confirming her candidacy.
Secretary to Scottish Conservative Friends of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (SCBAME), Josephine Oboh-Macleod, partook in the hustings and interview for the councillorship ticket of Milngavie Ward one, East Dumbatonshire Council, Glasgow, Scotland, the United Kingdom, under the umbrella of Scottish Conservatives and Unionist party.
In January, she made history as the first woman of African descent to vie for the Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party’s councillorship ticket in Milngavie, Scotland.
“The Scottish Conservative Party is the front runner in giving opportunities to all in an inclusive and non-discriminatory way,” said an obviously elated Mrs Oboh-Macleod.
A philanthropist, humanitarian, art curator and collector, and entrepreneur, Josephine, a chief of Emu Kingdom in Edo State, she congratulated the party and people of Scotland for the opportunity.
“This is a dawn for humanitarian politics and with your support I am certain that we will achieve our goal! I am going to give this my best shot. I am extremely delighted and my selection is proof that the Conservative and Unionist Party”, said the founder of the former popular, Kakofoni Hotel, Victoria Island, who also comes from an illustrious family of art promoters.
Her late mother was instrumental to launching and promoting the careers of many musical acts who originated from the Ajegunle quarter of Lagos. She is younger brother of the late famous artistes manager, Gilbert Oboh, and older sister to the popular dancehall reggae act and producer, Mighty Mouse, whose creative touch through his Jahoha Studio, could be felt in the works of Daddy Showkey, Daddy Fresh, Baba Fryo, African China and several Ajegunle-originated Reggae and Hip-hop acts of the 90s through the 2000s.
Her facebook post, gleefully announcing her latest accomplishment, reads:
“This is amazing fantastic news!”
“I got my official confirmation for candidacy under the umbrella of The Scottish Conservative and Unionist Party as Councillor for Kirkintilloch, East, North & Twechar! East Dunbartonshire, Scotland, United Kingdom, 2022 councillorship in May!
“Words cannot express my profound gratitude to members of the party and executives. I will like to say a special thanks to Pam Gosal(MSP) for West Scotland and founder and Chair of Scottish Conservative Friends of BAME (SCBAME) for her mentorship and her super support! I thank everyone for their support and for having confidence and believing in me!
“This is a dawn for humanitarian politics and with your support I am certain that we will achieve our goal! I am going to give this my best shot. I am extremely delighted and my selection is proof that the Conservative and Unionist Party is a party that promotes equality. Thank you!🙏🏽”
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Profile
States Wikipedia:
CHIEF Josephine Oboh-MacLeod (born 18 July 1965) is the first African to establish an African Art gallery, called “Timbuktu”, in United Kingdom and the only black African Woman that owns an artCultural center in Scotland. She is one of African recognize Contemporary art collector in Scotland With over 6,000 collections and also the first to stage an Afro-Celtic cultural show in Nigeria, at Fela Kuti New Afrika Shrine.
Josephine was born into the family of Chief Major Humphrey Etafo Oboh (The Adolor of Ugboha Kingdom/Okakulu of Emu Kingdom and Chief Mrs Comfort Eimiebaluye Oboh, The Edeniokun of Emu Kingdom, Ehan, Edo State, Nigeria. She is a sister to broadcaster/politician Mabel Oboh and Peter Oboh, the light former WBA/ British light heavy weight champion.
She began her education at Government College, Ojo, Lagos, Newman Prep School, Boston, USA, Newbury College, Boston, USA, where she obtained a degree in hospitality management and did her master’s degree in Business Administration at University of Surrey. She also studied Art at London Art College, UK; Interior/Garden Design at KLC School of Design, Chelsea Harbour, UK; and Photography at Calumet Photography and Jessop Academy, UK. Epson Master Printing Course.
Art career
Josephine has been in the art world for fForty years, graced Art gallery and Art exhibition across the world with her works and has over 6,000 collections. She is the Artistic Director at Johfrim Art and Design an art exhibitor and seller based in Milngavie. Started in 2016, Johfrim hosts cross-cultural events and represents work by about 50 artists, approximately 70% of whom are from Africa.
She is the first African to establish an African art gallery, called “Timbuktu”, in United Kingdom and the only black African woman that owns an art culture centre in Scotland. She is one of African recognize Contemporary art collector in Scotland With over 6,000 collections and also the first to stage an Afro-Celtic cultural show in Nigeria, at Fela Kuti New Afrika Shrine. Timbuktu art gallery
Josephine has been part of art Exhibitions and she has her works in international private collections like Nike Art Gallery. She is a member of art groups, including Society of Nigerian Artists. Milngavie, Bearsden and Dalmuir Art Club, Glasgow, Scotland, UK. She is the founder/ trustee of Jom Charity, Scottish charity board approved. Her charity and humanitarian work cuts across to her native home land Nigeria, where she makes donations to the less privileged.[9][10][11][12][13]
Politics
She is a United Kingdom Politician and a member of The Scottish Conservatives and also a member of Black Tories who are advocating for the inclusion of more qualified black people in public positions such as parliament across United Kingdom especially political positions in Scotland.
