The Nigerian youth populace has been charged with the task of embodying the ”Can Do” spirit that the Country is associated with and known for across the African Continent and the Global Stage.
This charge came when the First Black Woman to drive on a solo car ride from London to Lagos, Pelumi Nubi was by the Vice Chancellor of UNILAG, Folasade Ogunsola, the Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa and the Lagos State Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mobolaji Ogunlende, among others at the University’s premises.
Ogunsola, who described Nubi’s feat as the resilience of an average Nigerian, urged other young people to allow this spark a flame of inspiration, ingenuity, bravery, adventure, and scholarship in them.
She said, “I welcome everyone and Pelumi the woman with the indomitable spirit. For Pelumi to live in London and spend hours on the road, she went through 17 countries. She embodies the Nigerian spirit. She is the second person to do it.
“Nigerians are courageous. She was not afraid of racism and things that might be on the way. I want all of us here to know that there is nothing you cannot do. All that is stopping you is in your mind.
“Queen Amina of Zaria took to war and conquered, Captain Chinyere Kalu was the first female pilot, among others. Pelumi has shown us that when the going gets tough, the tough gets going. Pelumi, we are proud of you!”
The Chairman/CEO, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa said through this feat, Nubi has placed her name and country on the world map, showcasing the true nature of who Nigerians are.
Also, the Lagos State Commissioner for Youth and Social Development, Mobolaji Ogunlende reiterated the support of the State government for laudable achievements, noting that the sole ride by Nubi shows that Nigerians can break barriers and achieve whatever they put their mind to do.
“So everything about the T.H.E.M.E.S Plus Agenda of the Lagos State Government is centred around Pelumi today. Social Inclusion, Gender Equality and Youth Engagement.
”This is what we are talking about in our administration, the administration of Governor Babjide Olusola Sanwo-Olu where we are leaving no one behind, he added.”
Earlier, the First Black Woman to drive on a solo car ride from London to Lagos, Pelumi Nubi, noted that the ride was to inspire the next generation of girls and youths to explore the world and ensure that African narratives are pushed by Africans.
”So what next is I have always been a traveller, I have travelled to over 80 countries, so it’s something I’m gonna continue to do. I’m not gonna stop suddenly. I want to continue to inspire the young generation.
”So in the educational service as well, and policy change, especially with our border control. We need to do better to make sure that Africa is a freer continent to travel through.”
Blacktalker reports that Pelumi Nubi is the second Nigerian to embark on a road trip from London in the United Kingdom to Lagos, Nigeria after renowned environmentalist, Newton Jibunor drove from London to Nigeria, through the Sahara desert in 1966.
It will interest you to know that Pelumi Nubi, who embarked on her solo trip in a car on January 30, 2024, travelled for 68 days over a land mass of 6, 743.50 kilometres and across 17 Countries to arrive at the Nigeria-Benin Republic border on Sunday 7th April 2024.