Speech by Cllr Helen Ogbu
Twenty-one years ago, I chose Galway as my home. Today, Galway has chosen me to serve as its First Citizen.
A Chathaoirligh, Chief Executive, fellow Councillors, members of the Oireachtas, distinguished guests, family, friends, and the people of Galway,
It is with profound gratitude, humility, and pride that I stand before you today to accept the honour of serving as Mayor of Galway City.
I am deeply conscious of the privilege of this office and of the responsibility that comes with serving as First Citizen of our city. On that note, let me begin by thanking my fellow Councillors for the trust and confidence they have placed in me.
I also wish to acknowledge and thank the staff of Galway City Council for their dedication, professionalism, and commitment to Galway. Their work, often carried out quietly behind the scenes, helps make Galway the vibrant, resilient, and welcoming city we are proud to call home.
Today is indeed a historic day.
I have the privilege of becoming the first person of migrant background to serve as Mayor of Galway City.
While I recognise the significance of that moment, I do not view it as a solely personal achievement, but rather as a reflection of Galway, the city that I now call my home.
When I arrived here twenty-one years ago, I came seeking a better future for myself and my family.
Like so many others who have made Galway their home, I arrived with hopes, dreams, and a determination to contribute.
I could never have imagined then that one day I would stand before you as Mayor of this remarkable city.
This moment is not simply my story but is the story of a city that enabled me to fulfil many of my dreams, that welcomed me and many others like me, that gave us a sense of belonging here, that made us feel our voice matters, that our contribution is valued and can see that there is strength in diversity. This is the Galway Story!
My journey to this chamber has not followed a traditional political path.
Before joining politics, I spent decades working alongside families, young people, volunteers, and communities. As a community development worker, family support worker, foster carer, volunteer manager, researcher, and advocate, I have had the privilege of witnessing the extraordinary strength that exists within our communities.
Those experiences taught me a vital life lesson that has shaped my life: leadership is not about position. Leadership is about service.
It is about listening; about bringing people together and; about ensuring that those whose voices are often unheard are given the opportunity to be heard.
Those values will guide me throughout my year as Mayor.
My mayoralty will focus on three themes that are deeply personal to me and critical to Galway's future: Belonging, Young People, and Community.
I want Galway’s reputation as a welcoming city to have real meaning for everyone who makes a home here so that whether you were born in Galway, in another county, or in another country, you will feel a valued citizen who belongs in this beautiful city.
I also want during my period as Mayor to place a particular emphasis on young people.
As a researcher and advocate working with young people and families, I am continually inspired by their creativity, resilience, and ambition.
Young people are not simply the leaders of tomorrow.
They are leaders today.
They deserve opportunities to engage in civic life, to influence decisions, and to help shape the future of the city they will inherit.
And finally, I want a focus on the importance of community, because strong communities create strong cities. Everything I have achieved has been made possible because of community.
Community welcomed me.
Community supported me.
Community sustained me through life's challenges.
Community continues to strengthen Galway every day.
At a time when many people experience loneliness, uncertainty, and isolation, we must invest in building stronger connections between people.
During my year as Mayor, I would like to explore the reintroduction of a Citizens' Assembly model within Galway City. Citizens' Assemblies provide an opportunity for diverse residents to come together, consider evidence, and help shape future policies and decisions.
Galway's greatest asset is its people, and I believe, their voices, experiences and ideas should play an even greater role in shaping the future of our city.
We must celebrate and support those who make community happen every day: volunteers, carers, coaches, youth workers, community leaders, residents' associations, and the countless unsung heroes whose contribution often goes unnoticed. Because strong communities create strong cities.
As you all know today is the 19th of June and as it happens, that date has a special significance for me. The number 19 has marked some of the most important milestones of my life.
I was born on the 19th of February.
I was married on the 19th of May.
And today, on the 19th of June, I have the honour of becoming Mayor of Galway City.
Some may call that coincidence.
Others may call it destiny.
For me, it is a reminder that life often reveals its meaning through moments that only make sense when we look back.
And for me on a very personal note, looking back, I am especially mindful of two people who are no longer physically with us but whose presence I feel every day.
My mother, Ezinwanne.
My muse.
My teacher.
My guide.
She taught me the values that continue to guide my life: kindness, resilience, compassion, faith, and service to others.
She showed me that true leadership begins with caring for people.
And my beloved husband, Sunny.
Sunny believed passionately in democracy, justice, and public service.
He believed that politics should be a force for positive change.
Tragically, he lost his life during a political campaign in Nigeria in 2010.
Not a day passes without me thinking of him.
Today, as I stand before you as Mayor of Galway City, I carry his memory with me.
To Sunny, my sunshine, thank you for your love, your belief in me, and your unwavering commitment to making the world a better place.
I hope that, in some small way, this moment honours your sacrifice and your faith in public service.
May they continue to rest in peace.
As I begin this journey, I do so with a heart full of gratitude.
First, to my family.
To my daughter, whose strength, resilience and unwavering love continue to inspire me every day. Your support has been a constant source of encouragement throughout my journey.
To my father, Isiboss, who taught me the enduring values of respect, dignity and integrity – values that continue to guide me in both my personal life and public service. Thank you, Papa, for your love, wisdom and steadfast support.
To my friends and supporters, many of whom have travelled from different parts of the world to be here today. You represent the many chapters of my life – from my secondary school years, university days and professional life in Nigeria, to the life I have built here in Ireland.
Your presence here is a testament to the enduring power of friendship, community and shared experiences. Thank you for your encouragement, your loyalty and for walking alongside me throughout this journey. Your belief in me has helped make this moment possible.
To the many communities and organisations I have had the privilege to serve.
To my Labour Party family, especially our Leader Ivana Bacik, our General Secretary Billie Sparks, to the local Labour Party organisation here in Galway whose current Chairman Tom Costello is himself a former Mayor of Galway, my Labour Party colleagues Cllrs Niall McNelis and John McDonagh for their support, Aaron Burke our Regional organiser and to all those who believed in me and encouraged me to take this path.
And above all, to the people of Galway, who actually enabled me to serve as Mayor by electing me in the first place in 2024 and who in the recent bye election showed great warmth and support for me.
As Mayor, I pledge to serve all the people of Galway with integrity, compassion and purpose. I will strive to be a Mayor for everyone, listening carefully, leading collaboratively and working tirelessly to strengthen our communities and enhance the quality of life for all who call this vibrant city home.
I would also like to express my sincere appreciation to the Corporate Services staff, whose professionalism, dedication and support have already been invaluable to me and who will continue to work alongside me throughout the year ahead. Your commitment to the work of this Council is deeply appreciated.
I would like to pay tribute to the outgoing Mayor, my colleague and friend, Councillor Mike Cubbard. Mike, you have served Galway with distinction and dedication, and your passion for this city has been evident throughout your term of office. You have left a meaningful mark on our vibrant city, and I thank you for your support, friendship and exemplary leadership.
Finally, I would like to acknowledge my colleague, Deputy Mayor Councillor Josie Forde, whom I very much look forward to working alongside over the coming year. I know that together, with mutual respect and a shared commitment to serving the people of Galway, we can achieve great things for our city.
Together, let us continue to build a city that is welcoming, ambitious, inclusive, and kind.
A city where everyone belongs.
A city where every voice matters.
A city where our many stories are woven together into one shared future.
And a city that continues to show Ireland and the world what is possible when community, compassion, and courage come together.
It is the honour of a lifetime to serve as your Mayor.
Go raibh míle maith agaibh.
