Mayor Jason Jackson in the council chamber last night (Thursday) with Cllr Angelo Weekes, left, and Cllr Bashir Ibrahim

A NEW mayor was crowned last night (Thursday) at the yearly ceremony that sees the red robes change owner.

Councillor Jason Jackson, who represents Holloway, has been living in the borough for more than two decades and said he wants to “highlight things that I think Islington is about. That beautiful message that we’re all together, no matter the season, even in tough times.

“There are amazing things happening in Islington and to be able to champion that is something that I’m really looking forward to.”

The first Nigerian-born mayor, he added: “I want to be the people’s mayor. I really want to make sure that my work brings greater representation across the borough. I want that young black boy in school to feel, ‘Yes, I can do it too’.”

Cllr Jackson’s parents flew over from Nigeria to be in the Town Hall for their son’s momentous day. “Mum and Dad are super excited. It’s a beautiful thing.”

It will be the second year in a row, however, that Islington will be represented by a non-Arsenal supporter. Councillor Anjna Khurana did nothing to hide her love for Liverpool, and Cllr Jackson’s loyalties also lie with a club north of north London.

He said: “When I first came to the UK I stayed in Manchester. One of the things you do is you don’t change the team you support. I’ve a genuine love for Manchester United. But there’s great banter between councillors and residents, and overall I hope Arsenal start doing well.”

Cllr Jackson has chosen Islington Giving as his charity and says he wants to use his position to support work around mental health in particular.

He said: “I want there to be greater access to mental health support, that early-stages support is critical. Especially among young black men, there can be a taboo to talk about it. There are amazing charities and organisations that are doing work around that. We can do more to build on it.”

The new mayor is father to three sons, works in pineapple farming in Africa, and has a passion for balcony planting. He told the Tribune: “I’ve loved testing out growing tropical plants, they do grow now because of the shift in the weather. Vanilla is my favourite thing to grow. It’s one of the plants that will grow with a bit of care. It’s all about tender love.”

It was rumoured pre-ceremony that the following buffet would consist of an Italian-Nigerian fusion, inspired by Cllr Jackson and his Italian wife’s roots.

“I’ve not been heavily involved in the food,” he laughed. “I’ve shared my preferences, and I’m hoping to see some element of delivery on that.”

Cllr Jackson added that he wanted to thank outgoing Mayor Cllr Khurana. He said: “She’s been amazing. The work she’s done with Brickworks, and opening the Black Cultural Centre, that’s inspiring. When you’re deputy mayor, you’re in the shadows and it’s been really good to see her give everything. I hope I can match that.”

Councillor Rosaline Ogunro was announced as deputy mayor.