A Nigerian-born Canadian, Kaycee Madu has been appointed justice minister and solicitor general of Alberta, a province in Canada. He would be taking over from Doug Schweitzer, who is now minister of jobs, economy and innovation.
According to a tweet from Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), “Madu is the first Black Man to occupy either Provincial or Federal Justice positions of the Justice Minister, Attorney General or Solicitor General,”
Madu,47, graduated from the University of Lagos with a law degree in 2001. He has practised law in both Nigeria and Alberta. Madu was first elected as a minister in Alberta during April 2019 general election. Before his current appointment, Madu was a member of the Legislative Assembly of the province, representing the district of Edmonton-South West after winning the 2019 Alberta general election.
Commenting on the appointment, Madu stated that the need to move the new ministry forward in this difficult social and economic times would his actions and programmes.
He also said that his fundamental belief in equal access to justice would be a major drive“I spent my entire professional career fighting for those who lacked means, including at Legal Aid Alberta, Labour, Immigration, and Human Rights Tribunals, and in the courts. My views on the application of justice and equality will always be integral to who I am as a father, husband, citizen, lawyer, and politician.
“I am determined to make sure our justice system represents all Albertans in a way that is fair and accountable. In particular, I believe Modernizing the Police Act will be a necessary step towards ensuring equality for marginalised people before the law, and I look forward to that important work ahead,” he stated/
According to CBC News, he and his wife relocated to Canada in 2005. On April 30, 2019, he was appointed to the Executive Council of Alberta as the Minister of Municipal Affairs. Madu, a member of the United Conservative Party, is the first Nigerian-born cabinet member in Alberta.
