Opeyemi Bright, a 29-year-old British-Nigerian, has made history as the youngest person ever appointed mayor of London Borough of Barking and Dagenham.
Gatekeepers News reports that Bright’s appointment was confirmed in April, and was officially sworn in during an inauguration ceremony held on Friday.
Bright first made waves in 2018 as the borough’s youngest councillor at age 22.
She also served as a school Governor and is a board member of Agile Africa, an NGO dedicated to equipping young Africans with digital and tech skills.
In her inaugural speech, Bright expressed a deep commitment to her community saying, “I believe in the power of community, the importance of tradition, and the need to inspire pride in the place we all call home. As Civic Mayor, I am committed to being a voice that uplifts our borough, honouring local heroes, supporting charities, and forging deeper connections with residents, schools, and businesses.”
“It is not just a responsibility but a privilege to serve as a figurehead for the hopes and values of our community.”
