The Federal Government and Governor Umo Eno of Akwa Ibom State have congratulated Jason Utitofon Jackson on his historic election and inauguration as Mayor of the Borough of Islington in the United Kingdom (UK).

The Chairman of the Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), Abike Dabiri on Monday congratulated Jackson on behalf of the Federal Government.

“Hearty congratulations to his worshipful, Mayor Jackson, the Lord Mayor of Islington. London. He makes history as the first black person to occupy that position in the borough
#ProudlyNigerian,” Dabiri posted on X.

Governor Eno also saluted the mayor on the historic achievement in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Ekerete Udoh.

“Councillor Jason Jackson’s emergence as Mayor is a great source of pride to the Government and people of Akwa Ibom State,” Eno said.

“His story is an inspiring reflection of hard work, integrity, and service – values we strongly uphold as a people.

“We are confident that his leadership will continue to promote equity, innovation, and inclusion, while also serving as a source of motivation to young people across Akwa Ibom and the African diaspora to dream, aspire and achieve.

“The Government and people of Akwa Ibom State celebrate this milestone and look forward to deepening ties with global achievers of Akwa Ibom extraction, who continue to make the State proud on the global stage.”

Mayor Jackson, an illustrious son of Akwa Ibom State, originally from Ika Local Government Area, becomes the first Nigerian-born politician to occupy the Office of Mayor of Islington since the Borough’s founding in 1900.

His remarkable journey from his early education at the Holy Family College, Abak, to an illustrious career in public service in the United Kingdom, represents a powerful story of resilience, excellence and integrity which in the main form the critical schematics of the Akwa Ibom distinct identify.

During the last state anniversary, Governor Eno, had celebrated Mayor Ukeme Awakessien-Jeter, another Akwa Ibom -born daughter from Nsit Ibom who broke the glass- ceiling by becoming the first African American to be elected the Mayor of Upper Arlington, an affluent city in the State of Ohio, the United States in over 100 years.