The Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) Americas South Savannah have come together to celebrate the remarkable achievements of Uzoma Asagwara, a Nigerian-Canadian, who has assumed the esteemed position of Minister of Health and Deputy Premier in Canada’s Manitoba Province. Dr. Tomi Ademokun, the Vice President of NIDO Americas South Savannah, conveyed her congratulations to Asagwara in a statement to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) based in New York.
Asagwara, who is now Canada’s first Nigerian woman to serve as the Minister of Health in Manitoba Province, has achieved this significant milestone at the youthful age of 39. Dr. Tomi Ademokun stated, “NIDOA South Savannah looks forward to witnessing Uzoma Asagwara’s continued success and contributions in her new position. We celebrate her achievements and wish her the very best as she embarks on this new and important chapter in her illustrious career.”
This appointment reflects the values of multiculturalism and underscores the invaluable contributions immigrants make to their new communities. Dr. Ademokun commended the government of Canada’s Manitoba Province for recognizing the vast potential in Uzoma Asagwara and entrusting her with the vital responsibility of overseeing the health and well-being of its citizens. She expressed confidence that Asagwara will bring dedication, compassion, and expertise to her new role, aiming to create a healthier and more equitable society.
Dr. Ademokun emphasized that this milestone signifies a momentous occasion for both Nigerian and Canadian communities, celebrating the incredible journey of an exceptional individual. Uzoma Asagwara’s appointment stands as a testament to her unwavering dedication, exceptional leadership, and tireless commitment to public service. Her passion for healthcare and social well-being has been a source of inspiration to many, and her journey from Nigeria to Canada serves as a beacon of hope for individuals striving to make a positive impact in their adopted homeland.
As the first Nigerian woman to hold such a prestigious position in Canada’s Manitoba Province, Uzoma Asagwara embodies the values of diversity, inclusion, and equal opportunity that both nations hold dear. Born in Winnipeg, Canada, to parents who migrated from the Igbo ethnic group of Abia in South-Eastern Nigeria in the late 1970s, Asagwara previously achieved the historic feat of being elected to represent the Canadian Union Station in the Manitoba Legislative Assembly in 2019. She also made history as the first black queer legislator, breaking a 150-year jinx in the process.
In her role as the new Minister of Health, Asagwara’s duties will intersect with the field of bioeconomy, and she will be expected to drive innovation and health advancements within the biosciences. As a Nigerian-Canadian psychiatric nurse with a career spanning over a decade in Canada’s health sector, she has also actively participated in basketball.
In 2008, she earned a Bachelor of Science in Psychiatric Nursing and completed a joint program between the University of Winnipeg and the University in Brandon, both located in Manitoba. Asagwara’s journey serves as an inspiring example of dedication and achievement in the pursuit of public service, making her a celebrated figure in both Nigerian and Canadian communities.
