EXACTLY 18 years after he came to London, to work as a cleaner, Nigerian Ezekiel Obasohan yesterday made history, becoming a Mayor in England. An overwhelming majority of the councilors of the London Borough of Barking and Dagenham elected him to that position.

Obasohan of the Labour Party defeated Evelyn Carpenter to achieve the feat. Dressed in an ash-coloured suit, he was elated as over 40 of the 48 councilors of the borough gave him their votes.

As early as 6pm on Friday night, the Barking Town Hall council chamber and the public gallery were filled. Not even the cold weather could keep residents at home, as they came to witness who would win the election of the new mayor.

With majority of the councilors, who would vote, being Whites, detached observers gave Obasohan little chance of winning.

The day's main business began with outgoing mayor, Fred Burns, calling for nomination. Councilor Iaim Smith nominated Obasohan, and was seconded by Charles Fairbrass.

Many of the councilors raised their hands to vote for Obasohan, thus ensuring that he became the first Nigerian and African to win the exalted seat.

After his election, he was invited by the outgoing Mayor Burns to come to the dias, read and sign the Declaration Book.

After signing the book, Obasohan and Burns left the chamber for about 10 minutes and by the time they came back, the former was dressed in the mayoral robes and led in by the mace bearer.

Thereafter, Burns invested him with the mayoral Chain of Office and he read his acceptance speech, which traced his journey to the coveted office.

According to him: "About 4o years ago a relatively unknown Baptist preacher from the United States of America marched on Washington with one million men. This Baptist preacher gave a stirring speech titled 'I HAVE A DREAM.' "Today, Barking and Dagenham council in a small way has re-echoed the words of that preacher; because the theme of the 2008/09 mayoral year is 'LIVING THE DREAM.'

"This is the year Barking and Dagenham council will set her sights to living and fulfilling her many dreams. As Mayor, I want to be the handyman and the servant that will bring these many dreams to pass.

"That is why I feel so honoured and humbled to be the flagbearer of this penultimate year in the history of our dear Borough."

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God first, family second and career third.
www.marykay.com/adanna

Kudos Kudos Kudos.

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God first, family second and career third.
www.marykay.com/adanna

While some Nigerians are stuck and getting bent out of shape and blaming the white man for racial segregation that happened years ago ..the ones in the UK are making things happen.

Like NTB said Kudos ...and well done !!

My own dey on the way... First Nigerian American to be President of United States.

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LIFE IS WORSHIP
WORSHIP EXPERIENCE IS NOT ABOUT HOW YOU FEEL, BUT HOW WHOM YOU WORSHIP FEELS ABOUT YOU.
GOD CREATE IN ME A HEART TO FEAR SIN AND EVERY UNHOLY THINGS, SO I MAY LIVE RIGHTEOUSLY FOR YOU.

wow, thats amazing....this world is just full of opportunities....loads and loads of them.

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Wife from NR

its a good achievement

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Nawa oh, I don tire....na so every naija U ask wey dem come 4rm go say na LAGOS? Lagos got such a big population oh...lol

Me sef dey pray for Journey mercies

And he quoted Martin Luther King! 40 years later! A Nigerian born Londoner quotes Martin Luther King's speech on the march on Washington against segregation! Awesome!

Serious minded, dedicated, honest, level headed people never forget the past and act where they are now, the opportunities they obtain, were not paved by others. They know they stand on the shoulder of people before him, acknowledge it and lead into the future...

This man seems to have the right combination of looking forward without forgetting the past, as most balance, sensible, intellegent people do. He will make a wonderful Mayor! Congrats!!!

And why is NTB posting this news? Where are all the UK folks?!? Una no tell us??

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It is absolutely silly and unproductive to have a funeral for the word nigger when the actions continue.
We need to have a movement to resurrect brothers and sisters, not a funeral for niggers, cause niggers dont die
Project Roach - Nas (feat Last Poets)

Abi o. Thank you my sister. I find it amusing that some people wrongly believe that all Naijas in the UK are suffering, live in hell holes, live in peckham and live in council flats. LOL!

The people with such false impressions have obviously not met me and many like me, is all I can say. Abeg, let me remain my humble self and continue to go about my business here quietly ojare.

Great news re the Naija Mayor. Many of us here (myself included to the glory of God) are putting Naija's name on the map - positively- in different ways, levels and skills, in our many areas of specialisms.

Congratulations to Obasohan. May you go from strength to strength bro.

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I found the greatest love of all in, J,D,D,& T

Thanks Sidney. True words bro. Hope you are keeping well

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I found the greatest love of all in, J,D,D,& T

My sista! How now? I dey! Why you no tell us when this man campaigning? This is really great news! And no mind, we know that there are people, like yourself, doing it right in everywhere!

Much kudos to you too!!

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It is absolutely silly and unproductive to have a funeral for the word nigger when the actions continue.
We need to have a movement to resurrect brothers and sisters, not a funeral for niggers, cause niggers dont die
Project Roach - Nas (feat Last Poets)

U want start WWIV I am happy for him and Amen that he learned his craft and executed it well and at the end it paid of. Kudos to him and may he mayor his community well.

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God first, family second and career third.
www.marykay.com/adanna

How can one forget the past? The past is what helps shape your future...and helps us make wise choices in our lives, including even career choices.

kudos to Obasohan and more grease to your elbows...

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"God determines who walks into your life....it's up to you to decide who you let walk away, who you let stay, and who you refuse to let go. If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it."

Congrats to him. People were kinda scared that BNP will take the lead in that area again this year.

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I am what I am.

Amen Amen Amen ....... thats what they call freedom/emancipation from mental slavery !!!!

too

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I found the greatest love of all in, J,D,D,& T