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ABUJA. – In half a century of space travel more than 500 people have glimpsed the Earth from the unique vantage point of the cosmos, yet no black African has been among them. Now a Nigerian and two South Africans are in a race to become the first after being shortlisted in a global talent search to send a “young icon of the future” into the heavens.
The winner will undergo intense training, experiencing extreme G-forces and weightlessness before taking off in American developer XCOR’s Lynx spacecraft, on a voyage loosely envisaged for next year. Among the three is Freeman Osonuga, who is competing with 30 hopefuls shortlisted for the Rising Star Programme run by talent agency Kruger Cowne and the One Young World charity, both based in London.
“It feels great, being on the verge of making history. And to be in a position to inspire a generation and the continent,” said Osonuga, a doctor at a teaching hospital in Lagos.-AFP.
Online Reporter