A Profile On Uzoma Asagwara, The First Black Minister To Be Appointed In Manitoba, Canada

Uzoma Asagwara has made history as the first black person to be appointed Minister of Health in Manitoba.

A Nigerian woman, Uzoma Asagwara has made headlines after she was sworn in as the new Minister of Health and Deputy Premier of the Province of Manitoba in Canada.

The 39-year-old becomes the first black person to achieve this feat.

Asagwara was sworn into the new office on Thursday following a tenure in the Manitoba Legislative Assembly.

Here are some things to know about her.

1. Uzoma Chioma Asagwara was born on September 23, 1984, in Winnipeg, Canada, to Nigerian parents.

2. She hails from Olokoro Umuahia local government area of Abia State.

3. She bagged a Bachelor of Science degree in Psychiatric Nursing from the University of Winnipeg and Brandon University in 2008.

4. She was the University of Winnipeg Female Athlete of the Year between 2005 and 2006. She was also a former basketball player with the University of Winnipeg and the Canadian National Basketball Team.

5. In 2014, Asagwara founded Queer People of Colour Winnipeg, a Winnipeg-based initiative that creates safer spaces for and increases the visibility and representation of queer and transgender people of colour.

6. She worked full-time as a registered psychiatric nurse, specializing in adult and youth mental health and addictions, before going into politics.

7. Asagwara was elected to represent the Union Station electoral district in the 2019 Manitoba General Election, where she broke a 150-year jinx as the first black person to win a seat in the assembly.

8. Asagwara is a member of the Manitoba New Democratic Party.

9. She is also the first black queer legislator to be elected in Manitoba.