Nigerian-born woman elected into Canadian parliament

39 year old Nigerian-born Uzoma Asagwara has been elected into a Canadian legislative assembly as a lawmaker in Manitoba.

Asagwara, a psychiatric nurse, an athlete and community activist won the Union Station seat for the NDP in the election on Tuesday.

That makes Asagwara the first Black, queer woman in the legislature.

She also becomes one of three Black people to have been elected into the 150-year parliament.

Another black man Jamie Moses took the St. Vital seat and Audrey Gordon won Southdale for the Progressive Conservatives.

Speaking on her victory, Asagwara said,

This is a historic moment for our team and our communities.

She described her election victory as “wonderful…incredible,” and a “sign that folks are really making sure that our elected officials reflect the communities they serve.”

Asagwara is a first-generation Canadian whose parents are Nigerian. She is a longtime community activist in Winnipeg’s core.