London-Lagos solo driver, Pelumi Nubi, arrives Nigeria amidst grand welcome
Pelumi Nubi, a Nigerian based in the UK, has arrived in Lagos completing her solo road trip from London to Lagos.
The 28-year-old Nubi was given a hero’s welcome at the Seme border by hundreds of Lagos residents and also hosted to a grand reception by people 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 was received at the University of Lagos (UNILAG) by Prof Ogunsola the Chairman/CEO of Nigerians in the Diaspora Commission, Hon. Dr. Abike Dabiri-Erewa, Prof Sunday Adebisi, Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka and Special Adviser to the Lagos state Governor on Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mr. Idris Aregbe amongst others.
On January 31st 2024, Pelumi started from England, crossed into France, Spain and headed to Morocco then through the West Sahara Desert, Mauritania, Senegal, The Gambia, Guinea-Bissau, Guinea, Sierra Leone, Liberia, Mali, Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire (Ivory Coast), Ghana, Togo, Benin finally reaching Lagos.
While commending her at the event, Hon. Abike Dabiri-Erewa said, “This is a Nigerian Spirit of overcoming any challenges.”
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 a 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 is 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 has 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.”
