Derek Kunle
| Lord Derek Kunle | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||||||
|
Lord Admiral Derek Kunle is the son of West African immigrants, who arrived in the Holy Empire during the tumultuous 1960s. Lord Derek's father, Adeole Kunle, originally traveled to Excalbia as a student in 1952. After marrying a bride chosen by his family during a school break in 1953, he retuned to Excalbia with his wife, Mariam. Lord Derek was born in Excalbia, becoming a citizen by birth. After his father's graduation, however, the family returned to West Africa to agitate for the independence of their country.
The Kunle's homeland won independence from its European colonial power in 1962. Adeole Kunle became a leading figure in the new government. A coup in 1964, however, forced the Kunle family to look for new opportunities.
A chance to teach at his old university gave Kunle the opportunity he needed, and he immigrated with his family, including Lord Derek's five siblings, in 1965.
Lord Derek entered the Imperial Naval Academy in 1971 and graduated with a commission as an Ensign in 1975. Lord Derek quickly moved up the ranks and was knighted by Emperor David III in 1995 for his distinguished service, including his heroic efforts to rescue a sinking freighter in the North Atlantic in 1993.
Lord Derek recently earned accolades for his command of Task Force Alpha in the Esperi Conflict and in the recent and on-going hostilities with Upper Virginia.
His elevation to Chief of Imperial Naval Operations shocked many of his more senior colleagues, but insiders were not surprised. He has long been rumoured to be a favorite of His Imperial Majesty, David IV, and of former Minister of Defence, Lord Yornis Halton.
Following the elections of 2005, Emperor David IV granted Lord Derek the title Lord Admiral.
