As Black History Month moves from strength to strength throughout October, it was announced that Paralympics legend Ade Adepitan MBE is set to succeed Sir Lenny Henry as the new Chancellor of BCU (Birmingham City University), as television presenter, journalist and disability campaigner follows in the footsteps of another legend - Sir Lenny Henry!
A former member of the Great Britain wheelchair basketball team that won bronze at the 2004 Games in Athens, Adepitan, 51, will be taking up his new position from Sir Lenny, who steps down as Chancellor of the university he joined in 2016. With his intention to continue his connection after fulfilling his five-year term, broadcaster, comedian, actor and writer, Lenny (68) will, however, remain involved with BCU through the ‘Sir Lenny Henry Centre for Media Diversity’, which he co-founding in 2020.
Nigeria-born Ade, who contracted polio at the age of 15 months, which ultimately left him unable to walk by the age of three years, said: “I’m extremely honoured to be taking over from a legend like Sir Lenny.
“Education,” he went on to say, “is all about uplifting people from all backgrounds and ethnic groups this is a dream appointment for me.”
Sir Lenny said: “It’s been a privilege to represent an institution that’s given hope and opportunity to many who have had to overcome financial and social hardship. and I know there are transformative times ahead for a place that has become very special to me.”
BCU vice-chancellor Professor David Mba said: “This is a brilliant appointment for BCU. With our shared values, vision and dynamism, I am looking forward to working with Ade the board, and the rest of the university’s leadership team to make Birmingham City Universty a place where everyone can thrive.”
This news is in addition to that of Ade's wife, singer, Linda, who has revealed that she is pregnant with their second child. The couple - who got married in 2018 - already share son, Bolla, who was born in 2021.
