From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
President Bola Tinubu has congratulated British-Nigerians Opeyemi Bright and Jason Jackson on their historic elections as mayors of London boroughs.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu hailed their achievements as a testament to Nigerian excellence in the diaspora.
Opeyemi Bright was sworn in as Civic Mayor of Barking and Dagenham, becoming the borough’s youngest mayor at 29. Her seven-year service includes being elected the borough’s youngest Labour councillor in 2018 at age 22. Jason Jackson made history as the first Nigerian-born Mayor of Islington since its establishment in 1900. Elected as a councillor in 2022, he served as Chair of Islington’s Homes and Communities Committee in 2023.
Tinubu commended both for embodying honesty, integrity, and commitment to community welfare, noting their stories inspire young Nigerians to pursue excellence.
“On behalf of the government and people of Nigeria, I extend heartfelt congratulations to Mayors Opeyemi Bright and Jason Jackson. I urge you to continue giving your best as first citizens of Barking and Dagenham and Islington. I have every confidence in your abilities and look forward to your positive impact,” he said.
Bright and Jackson’s appointments highlight the growing influence of Nigerians globally, reinforcing a legacy of leadership and service.