Four Nigerians have made strides in international politics, securing various elected positions in the United States and Australia.
A statement signed by the spokesperson for the Nigeria in Diaspora Commission, Abdur-Rahman Balogun, on Sunday disclosed that Dr Oye Owolewa, Segun Adeyina, Adeyemi Mobolade, and Chiaka Barry emerged victorious in recent elections, representing different communities and parties.
In the United States, Owolewa was re-elected as the Shadow Representative for the District of Columbia under the Democratic Party.
His role focuses on advocating for the interests of Washington, DC, including the ongoing push for statehood and local governance issues.
Adeyina also retained his seat as the State Representative for District 110 in Georgia. Adeyina has an extensive background in IT programme and project management, having worked with Fortune 500 companies such as General Motors, Ascension Health System, and Hewlett Packard. He has held several leadership positions in Georgia, contributing to his community’s development.
In a historic win, Nigerian-American businessman Mobolade was elected Mayor of Colorado Springs, becoming the first Black person to hold this position. His election has been described as a milestone for the city, reflecting its evolving political landscape.
Meanwhile, in Australia, Barry was elected to the Australian Capital Territory Legislative Assembly, representing the Ginninderra District under the Liberal Party. Barry brings a wealth of experience as a legal officer, with skills in litigation, alternative dispute resolution, legislative drafting, policy development, and project management. Her commitment to serving the community has been a key part of her career.
“In a congratulatory message to them, NiDCOM Chairman/CEO, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, hailed their victory at the polls. The NiDCOM boss applauded them for breaking such records in the political arena of their respective places of residence and setting standards,” the statement added.