A Nigerian lady has broken a 150-years-old history and won a seat in the Manitoba Legislative house. She becomes the first black MLA elected into the Manitoba Legislature in its 150 years history.

According to reports, no black person had ever been elected in the history of the province. But the Nigerian psychiatric nurse, Uzoma Asagwara, dared to venture where no other African has.

Uzoma Asagwara won the Union Station seat for the New Democratic Party (NDP). The first-generation Canadian, whose parents are Nigerian, is a longtime community activist in Winnipeg.

She has been working within her community as a psychiatric nurse and community activist.

The 39-year-old Nigerian-Canadian has received massive support since her victory at the pools this week.

According to a report by CBC, Asagwara was one of three black people in the 150-year history of the Manitoba legislative house.

Uzoma said she is grateful to everyone, who has supported them long before the election.

The Nigerian-Canadian is not only a politician and activist; she is also an athlete.

The NDP has historically done well in Winnipeg's core, where Asagwara won Union Station, becoming the first black person to win a seat.

"Our elected officials in our Manitoba Legislature should reflect the constituencies … and communities that are in Manitoba," Asagwara said.

"So making sure that our elected officials look like the communities we serve [is] fundamental in making sure that all voices and all communities are served well in Manitoba."

No black person had ever been elected to the Manitoba Legislature; now there are three. Uzoma Asagwara won the Union Station seat for the NDP, Jamie Moses took the St. Vital seat for the party, and Audrey Gordon won Southdale for the Progressive Conservatives.

Jamie Moses is the president of the Open Access Resource center. The center is a non-profit that assists adults and children with speech impediments with access to communication devices. He was elected as the NDP MLA in St. Vidal riding.

Audrey Gordon, director of strategic initiatives with the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority's Home Care Program and a 25-year veteran of the Manitoba government, won the Southdale riding seat for the Progressive Conservatives.

Header Image Credit: Punch Newspapers