Nigerian lawyer and politician, Owolabi Salis, says his recent journey to space was not just an adventure—it was “a spiritual journey.”
Salis was one of six passengers aboard Blue Origin’s New Shepard spacecraft on June 29.
The 11-minute suborbital flight reached a height of 105 kilometers, taking the crew past the Kármán line, the edge of space.
“I felt like a soul was leaving the body,” Salis recalled. “Then when you unstrap yourself from the seat, you start floating like a bird.”
Earth From Above, Lessons From Within
Describing the view from space, he said, “You see the planet Earth suspended in space. It’s a small place, and that’s where people are making trouble and fighting each other.”
He believes world leaders should experience space. “One or two days up there will humble them,” he said.
The journey, he explained, aligns with his quest to explore both the physical and spiritual realms of Earth. Salis previously visited the North and South Poles in the same season—becoming the first Black African to do so.
While he didn’t disclose the cost of the space trip due to a non-disclosure agreement, he admitted, “It’s expensive, and it’s not considering the security, equipment, and people involved.”
Spiritual Reflections and Political Reform
Salis views travel as sacred. “The Almighty Lord that created this planet put beauty everywhere. Pilgrimage is not limited to any one place,” he said.
He shared that exploring different places helps him better understand divinity. “Every time I go somewhere new, I see something different that helps me understand the Creator better.”
Salis also used the moment to reflect on governance, criticising the structure of modern democracy.
“Democracy as it is practised now suppresses the minority,” he said. He proposed a proportional representation system, where presidential candidates are evaluated by states to ensure fairness.
Looking to the skies for meaning, he noted: “If the Earth is revolving around the sun with such precision, then someone, some spirit, is in charge.”
He believes that “the controller of the universe is completely different from the one described by existing religious theories.”
Salis concluded that his mission was not only personal. “I went to space not just for myself, but to open the door for others.”
Rate, Like 👍, Comment💬, share this article, Follow us on our social media handles, and Submit your own story to get featured and earn rewards!
