Nigerian is the UK’s youngest mayor
The youngest mayor in the UK, the Mayor of Barking and Dagenham, Princess Opeyemi Bright, who is also a Nigerian British, hosted Abike Dábíri at a town hall meeting in the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham.
Princess Opeyemi Bright is 28 years old.
Such a PROUD INSPIRATION to Nàíjá !!!🇳🇬👏👍👯♀️💝🎉
-copied
Historic Milestone: Owolabi Salis Becomes First Nigerian in Space
Owolabi Salis, a U.S.-based Nigerian lawyer, politician, and explorer, made history on 29 June 2025 by becoming the first Nigerian to travel to space. He went aboard Blue Origin’s NS-33 mission. His 10-minute suborbital flight crossed the Kármán line (100 km altitude), peaking at 105.2 km, and provided a transformative experience of weightlessness and a panoramic view of the Earth.
Netizens have celebrated his achievement on social media, from X to Facebook, and others.
Key Details of the Mission
Historic Achievement:
Salis is the first Nigerian and sixth African to reach space, joining a crew of six private astronauts dubbed “The Solstice 33”.
The flight launched from West Texas, using Blue Origin’s autonomous New Shepard rocket.
Salis’ Background
A native of Ikorodu, Lagos, Salis holds dual qualifications as a chartered accountant and attorney licensed in Nigeria and the U.S.
Prior records: First Black African to visit both the Arctic and Antarctic in one season (2023).
Political involvement: Contested Lagos governorship elections (2003–2019) and authored Equitocracy, a book advocating egalitarian governance.
Symbolic Significance:
Salis described the journey as a “spiritual mission” to inspire African youth: “This is a call to ignite curiosity in science and space exploration across our continent”
Context: Nigeria’s Space Ambitions
National Space Program:
The National Space Research and Development Agency (NASRDA), established in 1999, aims to position Nigeria as Africa’s leader in space.
Nigeria has launched six satellites since 2003 (e.g., NigeriaSat-1 for disaster monitoring), but has faced setbacks, including funding gaps and delayed goals (e.g., a 2018 human spaceflight target was missed).
New Partnership: In 2024, NASRDA collaborated with the Space Exploration & Research Agency (SERA) to send a Nigerian to space at no cost to the government. This initiative targets “underrepresented nations” in space exploration.
Future Astronaut Selection:
SERA will open a public voting process for future Nigerian space travellers—criteria: Nigerian citizenship, age 18+, basic English, and no scientific background required. The selected individual will participate in an 11-minute Blue Origin flight.
💡 Impact and Controversies
Inspiration vs. Pragmatism:
Optimism: Salis’ feat sparks pride and interest in STEM. NASRDA’s Felix Ale notes: “Space technology underpins global progress—from communications to climate solutions”.
Scepticism: Critics question prioritising space amid Nigeria’s economic challenges. BBC Pidgin highlighted debates on social media: “Why spend on space when poverty persists?”
Economic Potential:
The global space economy is expected to surpass €1 trillion by 2040. Partnerships such as SERA provide Nigeria with access to this market and opportunities for entrepreneurs.
🔭 What’s Next for Nigeria in Space?
African Space Agency (AfSA):
Set to open in 2025 at Egypt Space City, AfSA will oversee continental space initiatives, enhancing Nigeria’s involvement in climate monitoring and satellite technology.
UN/Nigeria Workshop (Oct 2025):
NASRDA will co-host a space weather conference in Abuja, focusing on how solar activity affects navigation systems and disaster management, in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Long-Term Goals:
NASRDA aims to launch indigenously built satellites by 2030 and train more astronauts. Sustained funding and talent retention are critical challenges.
Significance and Controversy Surrounding President Bola Tinubu’s Trip to Saint Lucia
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is in Saint Lucia, a Caribbean island nation. He will remain there until next week.
The visit underscores a tension between foreign policy aims (such as leveraging diaspora networks, cultural exports, and CARICOM’s economic potential) and domestic priorities (Nigeria’s inflation, insecurity, and natural disasters). While the presidency advocates for long-term gains in global influence, critics contend it shows misplaced leadership focus during a national crisis.
The Presidency maintains that the visit is a strategic effort to position Nigeria as a key link between the Caribbean and Nigeria. They argue that tangible results will emerge in follow-up actions related to educational, economic, and technical collaborations.
Various reports dismissed Peter Obi’s criticism that Tinubu went on holiday, citing strategic reasons such as ancestral ties, with 19th-century Nigerian migrants having a significant influence on Saint Lucian culture. Economically, reports highlighted that Saint Lucia is part of CARICOM, which has a GDP of $130 billion, positioning the country for South-South trade prospects. The mention of CARICOM as a gateway indicates potential for trade expansion.
Cultural influence is another key aspect, as Nigerian Afrobeats and Nollywood are already popular in the Caribbean, demonstrated during the Gros Islet Street Party, according to Caribbean National Weekly, citing Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga.
Nigerian President makes historic state visit to Saint Lucia
This reflects Nigeria’s soft power and diaspora initiatives, which the presidency describes under the “Four D’s” policy.
Nigeria’s foreign policy, often called the “4Ds,” focuses on Democracy, Development, Demography, and Diaspora. This approach guides the country’s dealings with the world, emphasising democratic principles, economic progress, its population’s potential, and the welfare of its diaspora.
Historical connections beyond the slave trade include Sir Darnley Alexander, a Saint Lucian who became Nigeria’s Chief Justice. Educational collaborations are also highlighted, such as the visit to Sir Arthur Lewis Community College and the involvement of the Nigerian Technical Aid Corps. This illustrates practical cooperation beyond mere symbolism. Concerning the controversy, Peter Obi criticised the trip as poorly timed, considering Nigeria’s domestic issues.
Nevertheless, the presidential visit is a rare event.
Mandela’s 1998 trip was the last by an African leader, making Tinubu’s visit historic after a 27-year gap. This emphasises its diplomatic significance. Critics on some platforms noted that Tinubu’s friend, Mr Gregory Chagoury, is the ambassador of Saint Lucia to the United Nations.
David Hundeyin to Nigerians: prepare to defend your votes in 2027
“The only thing I have to add to Nigeria’s internal political conversation concerning 2027 is this:
Whether the vehicle you people eventually agree on is Peter Obi or Atiku or coalition or whatever, you must prepare to carry out strategic violence because casting votes alone will not remove Jabba The Hutt from that office. Voting is only 35% of the job, and the ruling puppets have NO INTENTION of respecting your “votes.” I can tell you that for free. You have my word. Whatever melodrama they are staging is for the sole purpose of sucking you into doing a live-action repeat of 2023 when you won the election and lost the objective of the election – to remove cancer called APC from Aso Rock. The last election that this APC pestilence won in Nigeria was 10 years ago. They did not win in 2019, and they certainly did not win in 2023. It made no difference. So, if you want to reclaim Nigeria from these flesh-eating bacteria, you have to make the vote meaningful by adding strategic violence to back it up. That’s what the Ghanaians did last year, and I gained a new level of respect for them—no unnecessary social media, no Twitter Spaces, no fiery newspaper columns, no noise whatsoever.
I was in Addis Ababa during the Ghanaian election, monitoring it closely, and I feared it would unfold like 2023 in Nigeria – one result at the polling station, a different result at the collation centre, a fraudulent announcement, and ultimately a dishonest court ruling, after which everyone grumbles and goes home. Instead, these Ghanaians, you see, smiling and bantering with you on the TL (very silent and deadly people, by the way), had created offline networks and closed groups to carry out strategic enforcement of their electoral will on election night. They were prepared for everything – fake ballot papers that were pre-thumb printed for the incumbents, incumbent party agents trying to intimidate collation centre staff, even efforts by the incumbent party to manipulate media narratives – all of which were shut down with real physical violence where necessary. Men firmly took control that night.
And my key takeaway is this: when it became clear to the armed men with guns that they had to choose between siding with the ruling party and risking an uncontrollable nationwide riot or allowing the will of the people to prevail and still have a country tomorrow, they made the rational decision – because they are rational humans too.
That is truly the key to winning the colonial nonsense we call “elections” in Africa. You must give the armed forces a reason to recognise your victory and compel them to decide. Nobody in Nigeria gave them that choice in 2023, and that’s why Jabba the Hutt is your president.
3. Obi declares 2027 presidential ambition
Former Labour Party presidential candidate Peter Obi formally announced his intention to contest the 2027 presidential election during a live session on X Spaces on June 30, 2025. The announcement came as some commentators began trolling him for tardiness on the issue.
Here is what he said and its implications
1. Presidential Bid and Single-Term Pledge
Obi confirmed he will “be on the ballot” for the 2027 presidency and pledged to serve only one four-year term (until 28 May 2031) if elected. This supports his stance on rotational power between Nigeria’s North and South, noting President Tinubu’s first term (2023–2027) occupies the South’s slot.
He emphasised integrity over power: “If the consensus is for two years, I will serve two years… My character means more than the title of President”.
2. Coalition Talks and Rejection of Atiku Alliance
Obi dismissed rumours of a joint ticket with Atiku Abubakar (PDP), stating: “I have not joined any discussion on joint tickets, including with Atiku”.
He conditioned coalition participation on policy-driven agendas, demanding focus on:
Ending killings in Benue, Zamfara, and other conflict zones.
Reviving the economy and industries.
Food security and poverty eradication.
Coalition Jeopardy: Analysts warn Obi’s rejection of a deputy role threatens the opposition All Democratic Alliance (ADA), which aimed to unite parties against Tinubu.
3. Governance Vision and First 100 Days
Obi outlined urgent priorities:
Security: Pledged to “bring stability within two years” by ending insurgency and banditry.
Anti-Corruption: Vowed to cut governance costs, channel funds to critical sectors, and exclude family from public funds: “My family will not touch corruption”.
Institutional Reforms:
Strengthen opposition politics and ban defections by elected officials.
Implement electoral transparency: “Our votes in
2027 will count… We’ll ensure it”.
🏛️ 5. Labour Party and Zoning Commitment
Obi supports a rotational presidency as a “moral anchor,” citing his implementation of zoning in Anambra.
He is resolving internal Labour Party disputes, seeking INEC recognition for the Nenadi Usman-led faction, as per a Supreme Court ruling.
“Anybody who wants to serve should be ready to put their life on the line for Nigerians.”
— Peter Obi
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