Anthony, although a British citizen was quick to acknowledge his Nigerian roots. He spoke on the need for unity amidst Commonwealth countries.

He said; “My name is Anthony Oluwafemi Olaseni Joshua and, like many of you here, I’m a child of the Commonwealth.

“I was born in Watford and my heritage is Nigerian. I come from the Yoruba people, who are the largest and some might say the loudest ethnic group in all of Africa. I’m proudly Nigerian and proudly British.

”Like me, so many children of the commonwealth have two homes, two identities, two cultures, some even have more than two”

“These days we hear so much about division and difference that some might be tempted to see that as a bad thing. But on the contrary, it’s a beautiful thing. A thing to be celebrated and cherished, and a great source of peace and stability.

“I feel opportunity should be there for the taking along with hard work, dedication, and perseverance, regardless of one’s background. We need to strive harder collectively in order to create unity.

“It takes a village to raise a child. And in the same vein, it takes a whole community to act and stand together to tackle some of the challenges we are confronted with today.”

He concluded: “So here’s to fish and chips, egusi soup and pounded yam. To the UK and Nigeria, and the children of the Commonwealth.”

After the speech, Joshua for the first time briefly met and spoke with the Queen as his previously-awarded MBE and OBEs had been presented to him by Prince Charles at Buckingham Palace.

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