Sanwo-Olu receives London to Lagos by road lady, Pelumi Nubi, makes her Tourism Ambassador; With car, house gifts  

•I feel so blessed as a Lagosian, says Nubi

Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has named a United Kingdom-based Nigerian solo driver on a road trip from London to Lagos, Ms. Pelumi Nubi, Lagos Tourism Ambassador.

Governor Sanwo-Olu also presented a house and a branded LAGRIDE vehicle with the customized number plate NUBI 9JA to the 28-year-old adventurer.

The Governor assured the travel content creator that the Lagos State Government would write off the entire bill for her solo drive from London to Lagos.

Governor Sanwo-Olu made the announcement when Pelumi Nubi, accompanied by her parents, Prof. Timothy and Olubukola Nubi; CEO/Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, and Vice Chancellor of the University of Lagos (UNILAG), Prof. Folashade Ogunsola, among others, paid a courtesy visit at Lagos House, Marina.

He charged Pelumi Nubi to use her platform to showcase the rich cultural values and aesthetics of Lagos to the world, which are part of her responsibilities as Lagos Tourism Ambassador.

Governor Sanwo-Olu said President Bola Tinubu is aware that Pelumi Nubi is back in the country, and the President is willing to meet with her.

He said Lagos’ gesture to the 28-year-old Pelumi is not really about the gifts and heroic welcome given to her, but to encourage more women to break barriers and compete favourably with their male counterparts in any sphere of life.

“Your experience and journey, which lasted over 68 days, are indeed very inspirational, and you have actually shifted mountains. This is indeed a true African and Lagos spirit that you demonstrated. It is a true Nigerian capability that you have demonstrated, but more importantly, this is a story of Lagos no dey carry last.

“For us in Lagos, we will work with your planners to see how we further celebrate you. And it is not really about you being the one celebrating; it is about the future. It is about the girl-child. It is about the power of possibilities. It is about the power of the mind. You are a complete African story that we can showcase,” Governor Sanwo-Olu said.

Responding to the good gesture by the Lagos State Government, the visibly delighted Pelumi Nubi, who could not contain her tears of joy, appreciated Governor Sanwo-Olu and the State Government for making her Lagos Tourism Ambassador and giving her a car and a house.

She said, “Honestly, it is just amazing feelings. I wasn’t expecting this; it was just supposed to be a courtesy visit to thank the Governor for his kindness so far. So making me a Lagos Tourism Ambassador and giving me a car, house, and many more blows my mind. I am so grateful.

“Honestly, I feel so blessed as a Lagosian. I feel so blessed that I have done this London to Lagos road trip, and my sincere thanks to Governor Sanwo-Olu, President Bola Tinubu, and everyone that has made this happen. My advice to the youth, especially girls, is, Go for it.”

Nubi appreciated Nigerians, particularly Lagos residents, for supporting her and for trooping out in large numbers to welcome her at the Nigeria/Benin Republic (Seme) Border in Lagos State.

She promised that the end of her solo trip would gear her up to promote the Africa continent, Nigeria, and Lagos, especially being the commercial nerve center of the country.

Also speaking, the CEO/Chairman, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NIDCOM), Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa applauded Pelumi for her bravery and courage, noting that the car she used for the trip would be placed in the Lagos Museum.

She said the Nigerian Government was solidly behind her throughout the journey, which lasted for over two months.

The Vice Chancellor of UNILAG, Prof. Ogunsola, said Pelumi is a role model to the young generation, and that was why the institution celebrated her entry into Nigeria on Sunday.

She commended Governor Sanwo-Olu and the Lagos Government for giving Pelumi a hero’s welcome, saying the University of Lagos is proud of her.

Pelumi’s father, Prof. Timothy Nubi, also appreciated President Tinubu, Governor Sanwo-Olu, and all the government officials and institutions at the federal and state levels for their support during her daughter’s solo drive from London to Lagos.

Pelumi Nubi began her solo trip from London, the United Kingdom, on Wednesday, January 31, 2024, and arrived Lagos, Nigeria, on Sunday, April 7, 2024.

Nubi’s road manifest from the United Kingdom took her through France and Spain in Europe and into Africa through Morocco. She drove across Mauritania, Senegal, Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Mali, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Togo, Benin, and finally Lagos, Nigeria.

ARRIVAL

The 28-year-old Nubi was given a hero’s welcome at the Seme border, Badagry on Sunday by hundreds of Lagos residents, who trooped out to celebrate her courage and determination in setting a record as the first black woman to drive from London to Lagos.

Nubi, who crossed into Nigeria from Benin Republic through the Seme border in Lagos State at 10:10 a.m. on Sunday, was received by top Lagos State Government officials led by the Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka, and the Special Adviser on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr. Idris Aregbe.

Speaking to journalists immediately after she arrived at the Seme border, Nubi said she was excited to be in Nigeria after over two months of the solo road trip from London to Lagos.

She said: “Thank you so much for having me. I am so grateful to be home. Thank God for a safe journey, and I am really excited for the days ahead.

“I am so grateful to Nigerians. Thanks to everybody. The trip was more than a two-month journey. I started on the 31st of January, and now I am here. I am so excited to have made the trip.

“I crossed the border today at 10:10 am, and it was an amazing reception. There was dancing, and the Lagos State Government welcomed me so well, and it was so nice to have such a home coming right from the border while making my way towards Lagos.”

Speaking further, she said the solo trip from London to Lagos was to showcase the continent of Africa to the world.

“There were so many challenges; from some limitations at border controls to the accident I had, to loneliness, missing my family, to doing this by myself, remember this drive has been solo.

“The car is the testimony. We go through the downs and the ups, just like in life. And honestly, it is just to showcase the continent of Africa that we can truly exploit it more and showcase it to the world more. It has been an absolute pleasure doing this.”

Speaking to journalists, the Special Adviser to Governor Sanwo-Olu on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr. Idris Aregbe, said Pelumi Nubi has demonstrated a can-do spirit.

He said:” I am super happy. This is the Lagos spirit that we are talking about. I am happy Pelumi did it. She has demonstrated a can-do spirit. She is a role model for other young Lagosians. We can do a lot to make sure that we put our name on the map.

“Lagos tourism is rising. This is what we are talking about in terms of entertainment and hospitality. Lagos will continue to lead in other developments. I am happy that I have a Governor (Sanwo-Olu) who believes so much in youth and tourism, and that is why he is doing a lot.”

Also speaking, Pelumi’s mother, Mrs. Olubukola Nubi, described her daughter as adventurous and courageous.

She said: “As a child, she had always been adventurous. Our first trip together was in 2004. We went to New York; we went to every street. Since then, she has been making her move, and before I knew it, she had travelled to 80 countries.

“Travel is a second name for Pelumi, and she loves it. As our only daughter among two boys, she is courageous, adventurous, and smart. I am proud of her achievement, and I pray God continues to be with her.”