Lagos State Governor, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, officially received Pelumi Nubi, a sole driver, who embarked on a 68-day journey from London to Lagos, Nigeria.
The 28-year-old Pelumi took off on the journey on January 31st and arrived in Nigeria on Sunday, April 7, 2024, through the Seme Border.
Governor Sanwo-Olu hosted her at Lagos House, Marina, and named her tourism ambassador to show appreciation to her for showcasing her talent and putting Lagos and Nigeria on a positive pedestal, describing her feat as a true African spirit and Nigerian capability.
The Governor also gifted Pelumi a Lagride vehicle and promised to offset the entire bill spent for the successful journey, while the vehicle used in the course of the journey would be stationed at J. K. Randle as an artefact.
“I really want to welcome you formally and officially to your home, Lagos, to say to you, that you have signed Lagos where it should be. We want to say how truly proud we are of you.
“This is truly a true African spirit and Nigerian capability. I want to say that the journey has just started.
“We want to be grateful to your parents for encouraging you. There are lots of possibilities when parents encourage their children,” the governor said.
The governor went further by saying, “This is about girls and the power of possibility. All you need to do is activate it.
“On behalf of the government of Lagos State, I want to officially name you tourism ambassador; it comes with responsibility. We want to also pay the entire bill for the trip,” Sanwo-Olu said.
The governor, therefore, urged the youths to emulate Pelumi, saying that they should have a vision and forge ahead, notwithstanding the challenges on their way.
“You cannot allow drugs, defeat, and low lines to form who you are. Once you have a vision, take it up. You would have challenges, but get up and forge ahead,” he said.
Pelumi expressed appreciation to Governor Sanwo-Olu, saying she was extremely grateful for the reception.
“We just felt we should pay a courtesy visit for the governor’s kindness. I’m super grateful. It is amazing,” Pelumi said.
“It was nice having a warm reception in Lagos. I broke down in tears yesterday when I arrived. I really had to choose Lagos because when Lagos beams, Nigeria shines,” she added.
She advised that people would need to leave their comfort zone and strive for what they believed in, adding, “Don’t listen to anyone to discourage you.”
The Vice-Chancellor, the University of Lagos, Prof. Folasade Ogunsola, who also accompanied her to Lagos House, said her journey was a message of inclusivity and no impossibility for the nation’s youths.
“We gathered the youths across the state to show the world what Pelumi has done. We wanted to celebrate her. There is no impossibility; that was the message for our youth.”
Pelumi’s father, Prof. Timothy Nubi, narrated how they were monitoring her from the beginning of the journey down to Africa, expressing appreciation to God and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the successful journey through his intervention when the need arose.
“I thank God for this feat. When the journey started, every night, she would send a Google map to indicate where she was. We thought getting closer to Nigeria would not cause problems, but she started having issues in Africa. When she got to Sierra Leone, she had a tough time and even had an accident.
“I want to send our appreciation through you to Mr. President. I’m so grateful to the federal government. The effort was to frustrate it in Sierra Leone, but due to the intervention of Mr President,” he said.
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