A Nigerian woman, Abigail Marshall Katung, has been elected as the Lord Mayor of Leeds in the United Kingdom.
The councillor from the Labour and Co-operative Party grew up in Nigeria before moving to the UK to pursue her studies at Leeds University.
She wrote on social media, “It’s with great pride that my family and I look forward to undertaking the responsibility to serve.”
Reacting to the new political position, Marshall wrote on her X page, “I am deeply honoured and humbled to be chosen to serve as the next Lord Mayor of Leeds for the 2024/25 term.
“Our city is a shining example of compassion, resilience, and unity, and it’s with great pride that my family and I look forward to undertaking the responsibility to serve you.”
BBC reports that Katung is a governor at Leeds City College, which congratulated her on her new post.
The college said, “We look forward to continuing our work together to provide skills and opportunities for people in the region.”
Marshall’s parents hail from Kaduna State.
The Lord Mayor of Leeds is a ceremonial post held by a member of Leeds City Council, elected annually by the council.