Colorado Springs, Colorado —
After a historic victory, Nigerian immigrant Yemi Mobolade was sworn in June 6 as mayor of Colorado Springs, the second largest city in the western state of Colorado.
Colorado Governor Jered Polis said he is inspired by Mobolade’s story.
“Someone who has dedicated his life to making Colorado Springs and America a better place, whose story we can all relate to, who came here, who started businesses,” Polis said at the opening ceremony .
Mobolade moved to the United States 27 years ago as a student and became an American citizen in 2017. He raised a family, opened two restaurants and a church, then won election in this traditionally conservative city as first elected black leader.
“I wake up every morning and think it’s a dream, and then I realize no, this really happened,” Mobolade said.
But what earned him the trust of many residents, some say, is his stint as Colorado Springs’ small business development manager from 2019 to 2022.
Some residents told VOA that Mobolade’s election victory sends a message that their state is welcoming to people from all walks of life.
“Colorado Springs is very hospitable,” Michael Lipede told VOA. “If Colorado natives haven’t welcomed us with open hearts, there’s no way we could have accomplished all that we’ve accomplished,” said Lipede, senior pastor of the Living Faith Sanctuary of the Redeemed Christian Church of God in Colorado Springs. .
In a city of nearly 500,000 that is more than 75 percent white, residents found hope in the fact that so many voters were willing to support someone from a different background.
“Coloradans … don’t believe in ethnicity, they believe in competence, ability and capability, and they found that Mr. Yemi has it all.” Olawale Akinremi, a Colorado Springs resident, told VOA.
“I feel hopeful for today. I love our new mayor, Yemi Mobolade. He is a man of strength, faith, character and courage. And we are so blessed to have him at the helm of our city,” said Cindy Aubrey , resident of Colorado Springs.
Another resident, Nkechi Onyejekwe, said, “I think it’s a very amazing thing to celebrate and I think it’s also a very timely thing,” he told VOA, adding that “Colorado Springs has a very diverse population and I think that their legislative bodies should also reflect that.”
Pueblo Colorado resident Ami Bajah-Onyejekwe said it’s important for people to see someone they can look up to in leadership positions. “Seeing someone who looks like you, who has a similar background to you and seeing where that person has come and the goals they’ve achieved,” she said, “gives hope and says, ‘I can do it too. -ho’.”
Mobolade is committed to being a leader for all of Colorado City’s increasingly diverse population.
“I think it’s important to a lot of black kids today because it tells them that the sky’s the limit, that they too can step into the arena and lead,” he said.
This story originated on VOA’s Hausa Service.
