Two Nigerians elected mayors in the UK taking charge of Hackney and Thurrock

TWO Nigerians were sworn-in as mayors in the UK yesterday with Tunde Ojetola taking over the head of Thurrock Council in Essex and Soraya Adejare becoming the speaker of the London Borough of Hackney.

Councillor Ojetola, a Conservative councillor for Chafford Hundred has taken over the role from Cathy Kent, the Labour councillor for Grays Thurrock. Over the last year, Councillor Ojetola served as the deputy mayor of the council.

Last night, members of Thurrock Council took a vote and Councillor Ojetola was elected mayor, with councillor Mike Stone elected to become Thurrock’s new deputy mayor. They will both serve for a year over the course of the 2017/18 session.

In Hackney, Councillor Adejare was elected speaker for the 2017/18 municipal year at the council's annual general meeting last night. Councillor Adejare who represents Dalston Ward, takes over from Councillor Rosemary Sales under whom he served as deputy mayor during the 2016/17 year.

Meanwhile, also yesterday, Councillor Olu Babatola ended his one-year tenure as the mayor of Greenwich. He has handed over to Councillor Peter Brooks, who represents the Thamesmead Moorings ward.