TUNJI BALOGUN/Canada
It is a common believe that most African countries of black descent cannot rise to become top politicians in major countries like Canada and United States, that is different with Uzoma Asagwara who did not just emerge as one of the highly exalted politicians, but later rose to become a deputy premier and Minister of Health in Manitoba, one of the 10 major provinces in Canada, since October 18, 2023.
Asagwara, a Canadian Politician and member of the Manitoba New Democratic Party (NDP), was born on September 23, 1983 in Winnipeg to Nigerian parents from Umuahia, Abia State in Nigeria. She made history by becoming one the first three African Canadian alongside Jamie Moses and Audrey Gordon to be elected as Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLA). The 40-year-old politician is also the first black queer and non-binary person to win a seat as a member of a Manitoba Legislature in the Manitoba general election of September 10, 2019 before being re-elected October 3, 2023 representing the electoral district of Gare-Union Station.
Early Beginnings And Political Career
Before launching her political career in Canada, Asagwara attended the University of Winnipeg and Brandon University bagging a Bachelor of Science in Psychiatric Nursing in 2008. After her graduation, she later worked full-time as a registered psychiatric nurse specializing in adolescent- adult and youth mental health and addictions.
While moving forward with great ambition and enthusiasm she later served as a member of the former Premier’s Advisory Council on education, poverty, and citizenship, also as a member of the Women’s Health Clinic board of directors.
The journey into her political career started six years ago when she was elected to represent the Union Station electoral district during the Manitoba general election in 2019. Asagwara positioned herself as a major voice for opposition in the legislature. While in opposition, she also served as the Manitoba NDP’s critic, as a result she advocated for recognition of Manitoba’s minority communities thereby passing a bill marking Somali Heritage Week.
However, following the landslide victory of the NDP during the 2023 Manitoba general election, Asagwara was then appointed and pronounced as Minister of Health, Seniors and Long-term Care and Deputy Premier by the new Premier of the Manitoba province, Wab Kinew October 18, 2023.
“In year one, our government was able to do some really big things. Universal free birth control for all Manitobans was a really big step. We were able to do a lot around health-care recruitment and retention. We were able to do a lot in terms of bringing MRI, mobile MRI technology, to the north. The first time ever the north has ever had this diagnostic capacity. But looking into the future, looking into the new-year, we just want to keep that momentum going. We have a target of hiring a net new 1,000 health-care workers. We are well on our way to achieving that very, very ambitious target”, Asagwara told City News Winnipeg on some recent achievement in Manitoba healthcare.
Apart from Uzoma Asagwara there are some other notable Nigerians who also made steady progress in the Canadian politics from other provinces such as Adegoke Fadare, a Canadian politician who was elected to the Nova Scotia House of Assembly in the 2024 general election, representing Clayton Park West as a member of the Progressive Conservative Association of Nova Scotia. Fadare is the former president of the Association of Nigerians in Nova Scotia.
Another Nigerian Ajibola ‘Jibs’ Abitola is a Nigerian –Canadian politician making a tremendous progress in Fort Saskatchewan, Alberta. As a second-term councillor, Ajitola emerged as the first Black woman to be elected in the province of Alberta since the 1970s, she shattered a decades-long barrier, bringing a fresh perspective and renewed vigor of hope to the City’s development in all ramifications.
Kaycee Madu, an MLA in Alberta also serves as a cabinet minister, while Akolisa Ufodike is also serving as Alberta Deputy Minister of Immigration in the Danielle Smith’s administration in the province. Not forgetting other provinces in Ontario Canada where the likes of Ayo Owodunni was elected councillor.
In any case, despite the progress made by few other Nigerians in Canadian politics, none can be compared to the success achieved by Asagwara who is currently serving as the 11th Deputy Premier in the Legislative Assembly of Manitoba.
Achievements In Sports
Apart from her tremendous achievements in Canadian politics, Asagwara has also made a great landmark for herself in Canadian sports. While at the University of Winnipeg, the brave politician won the Athlete of the Year in 2005-06 session, and also among athlete that led the Canadian Inter-University Sport in scoring with 28.05 points per game. She was a member of the Canada Women’s national basketball team for two years and was part of the team at the XV Pan American Games held at Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in 2007. Asagwara currently acts as a mentor to inner-city youth athletes in Winnipeg.
*Culled from P.M. EXPRESS
