Ndipe:

EXACTLY 18 years after he came to London, to work as a cleaner, Nigerian Ezekiel Obasohan yesterday made history, becoming a Mayor in England.



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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."

http://odili.net/news/source/2008/may/18/18.html

EXACTLY 18 years after he came to London, to work as a cleaner,