Freeman Osonuga, 30, from Ogun State, is one step closer to making Nigerian Space history.
Launched last year at the One Young World Summit in Dublin, Ireland, the Influential Rising Star programme consisted of a year-long search to find one inspiring individual, who will become the voice of the next generation.
Flying beyond the 100km mark by XCOR Aerospace’s Lynx® Spacecraft,
the champion will be presented with the opportunity to view the world
from an entirely new perspective. Also through the unique experience, if
chosen Rising Star will provide new insight into global discussions on
some of the world’s most pressing issues.
Osonuga
who was selected based on the tremendous social media engagement,
candidate profiles on the Rising Star website, video content among
others.
Osonuga who was among the 250 Nigerian
Ebola doctors sent to some of the West African countries to contain the
disease expressed gratitude to Nigerians urging them to support him once
more.
Elated Osonuga is up against Keren Jackson of Ireland and Hussain Manawer of the United Kingdom. These three finalists will be flown to Bangkok next month where they will attend the One Young World Summit
and also deliver a keynote speech on their topic of choice to the
thousands of delegates present as well as a panel of global business
leaders after which the winner of a space trip will be announced.
He spoke to Vanguard during a courtesy call to their office recently:
“I
was also selected for my efforts to use both national and international
press to inform an international audience of his journey, from Ebola
suit to spacesuit and how his mission to change the world continues.
If
selected, I will be making Nigeria proud as the first Nigerian to go to
space thereby making history in the process. “Going to space is not the
overall objective of the project. It is to be able to raise global
conversations on issues that affect us all as inhabitants of planet
earth such as climate change, global peace and poverty.
What
I want Nigerians to do for me is to continue to support me as we have
only three weeks left. We need to sustain the main stream media support
and social media support. To support please use the hastag:
#sendfreemantospace on twitter and for facebook users
I
am using this opportunity to reach out to Federal government to support
us more at this final stage. I am also appealing to my fellow young
Nigerians; please let’s support the dream by using #sendfreemantospace
on twitter, facebook, google+, instagram, @krugercowne, @freeman_osonuga
and other social media platforms.”
Reacting to the finalist selection, Chief Executive Officer, Kruger Cowne, Mr. Mark Cowne remarked:
“We
were overwhelmed with the phenomenal talent the shortlisted 30 exuded.
It was a tough decision selecting the final three; however Freeman,
Keren and Hussain embodied what it means to be a rising star,
exemplifying leadership quality and a true passion to change the world.
Going above and beyond their application, these 3 future leaders
inspired us with what they stand for, what they were trying to achieve
and what they have already achieved in the world.”
With
astronauts, global leaders and entrepreneurs from the Kruger Cowne
roster offering mentorship, the chosen young leader will be managed and
positioned to develop powerful connections and given a platform to
engage with a global audience and develop solutions to some of the
world’s most pressing issues.