From Nigeria to Southwark town hall – Southwark appoints proud new Mayor
The new Mayor of Southwark has been elected, and two new deputy cabinet members have been appointed.
Councillor Dr Sunny Lambe has been elected as the Worshipful the Mayor of Southwark for the municipal year 2025/26 at the annual meeting of the council. The deputy Mayor is councillor Sabina Emmanuel.
Cllr Lambe has served as a Labour and Co-operative councillor for the South Bermondsey ward since May 2014. A passionate advocate for equality, diversity and social justice, Sunny brings decades of experience in public service, community empowerment, and business leadership to the mayoralty.
Since arriving in Southwark from Nigeria in 1986, Sunny has been a dedicated community leader and business management consultant.
Over the past 30 years, he has led and supported a wide range of local and national initiatives and founded numerous grassroots organisations such as the Black Labour Movement UK, Peckham Supplementary School, Southwark Youth Enterprise Project, and the Black Business Club.
He said: “Many people go to the US in search of their American Dream. This is my British Dream equivalent when I left the shores of Nigeria with my Nigerian Green Passport in the summer of 1986.
“I never thought one day that I would become the first citizen of our great historical London Borough of Southwark. It is a great privilege, honour and an amazing grace to become the Mayor of Southwark.
“I’m immensely grateful to everyone who has contributed to my attaining this great height; and most especially the good people of South Bermondsey – otherwise this milestone would have been impossible to achieve. One Love, One People, One Southwark, United to Serving our diverse communities with a spirit of togetherness.”
The leader of the council also appointed two new deputy cabinet members. Cllr Margy Newens for a Cleaner Southwark, Cllr Reginald Popoola for Landlord Services.
The Council passed a resolution to confer the title of Honorary Freeperson on Valerie Shawcross CBE, and Baroness Caroline Pidgeon MBE.
Annual civic awards were also handed out. Recipients were Elizabeth Errington, Christine Tan, Lin Vong, Thomas George Conrad Hood, Mackenzie Scott, Nora Higgins, Andy Dolan, Louis Wickett-Padgham, Mayo Otufale, Riyad Uddin and Barrie Knight.
Awards also went to Rotherhithe Community Kitchen/ Shining Light 4U, Trees for Bermondsey, Royal British Legion East Dulwich Branch, Borough Food Cooperative, Neurodiversity Family Hub and Millwall Community Trust.
Pictured top: Dr Sunny Lambe dons his new robe of office (Picture: Southwark council)
