This archive report was first published on 23 September 2019.
Uzoma Asagwara: Trailblazing Nigerian-Canadian Politician ¶
On September 10, 2019, Uzoma Asagwara made headlines as one of the three black people in the 150-year history of the Manitoba legislative to be elected.
Asagwara, a 39-year-old Nigerian-born Canadian, won the Union Station seat for the New Democratic Party, joining fellow trailblazers Jamie Moses and Audrey Gordon, who took the St. Vital and Southdale seats, respectively, for the Progressive Conservatives.
Asagwara's historic win was met with excitement, as they told CTV News Winnipeg, 'This is a historic moment for our team and our communities.'
Asagwara's achievement is even more remarkable given their background. Born to Nigerian parents, Asagwara is a first-generation Canadian who has made a name for themselves in various fields.
Here are five interesting things to know about Asagwara:
- Asagwara comes from a family of achievers, with their father, Dr. K.C. Prince Asagwara, holding a Ph.D., M.P.A., M.A., and B.A. degrees, and being an author and holder of several traditional chieftaincy titles.
- Asagwara's family is full of remarkable individuals, including their twin daughters, Ogechi Ugonma Asagwara and Chinwe Nnebuife Asagwara, and their only son, KC Prince Obinna Asagwara.
- Asagwara is the first queer black person to be elected in Manitoba in its entire history, having founded Queer People of Colour Winnipeg (QPOC WPG) in 2014.
- Before politics, Asagwara was a University of Winnipeg basketball star who was named the University of Winnipeg 2006 Female athlete of the year.
- Asagwara has a strong background in healthcare, having studied for a combined Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and Psychiatric Nursing, and working as an addictions specialist and psych nurse in Canada.
Asagwara's mandate is to serve the voices of thousands of immigrants and refugees in the Manitoba Legislature, a cause close to their heart.
