Ireland Elects Its First Black Mayor

A Nigerian man who came to Ireland seven years ago to seek asylum has made history  by becoming Ireland's first black mayor. 

In many parts of the world this may not be considered to be news but here in Ireland, a country which until recently exported people, this is a major event.

43-year-old Councillor Rotimi Adebari was elected the Mayor of Portlaoise Town Council this by a vote of six to three and with the support of Fine Gael, Sinn Féin and Independent members of the council. 

At a meeting attended by officials from the Nigerian, South African and the United States embassies, the new mayor said his election was proof that Ireland is not just a country of a thousand welcomes but it is a country of equal opportunity.

 Rotimi Adebari is a member of Portlaoise Town Council. He was first elected in the local elections in 2004. He and Dr. Taiwo Matthews are the sole non-national members of local authorities in the Republic Of Ireland. He is involved in many intercultural organisations working in close co-operation with government agencies to bring about a further understanding of the many cultures that are now found in a multi-cultural Ireland and how future changes can be planned for in advance.