Asylum-seeker from Nigeria becomes the first black Irish mayor
Saturday, 30 June 2007
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A Nigerian who fled to Ireland as an asylum-seeker has just become the country's first black mayor, in what is seen as a landmark in multicultural relations.
Rotimi Adebari, who was elected Mayor of Portlaoise Town Council, received a standing ovation amid scenes of celebration. He declared: "This is not just a country of a thousand welcomes, but a country of a thousand equal opportunities."
Elected by six votes to three, those councillors who voted against him apologised, citing party tradition. One of them said to him: "You seem to radiate happiness and joy. I'd love to know what you're on. We need a bottle of it over here."
Mr Adebari, who is married with four children, arrived in Ireland seven years ago after fleeing religious persecution in Nigeria. He had a difficult start but has since established himself as a councillor and as an activist promoting community relations and integration. He set up a consultancy to train companies and educational institutions in multicultural awareness while completing a masters degree in intercultural studies at a Dublin university.
He has also hosted a weekly radio programme dealing with issues of social inclusion, and has won awards for his work and for "the creativity and commitment he has applied to creating an integrated intercultural society".
The importance attached to his own successful integration into Irish society was highlighted by the attendance at his election meeting of representatives of the Nigerian, South African, US and Indian embassies. Ben Amobi, chargé d'affaires at the Nigerian embassy, said: "Rotimi is an honourable ambassador for his country and for Portlaoise. We feel so proud at this moment."
Many tens of thousands of immigrants have arrived in the Irish Republic over the past decade. The influx posed problems and challenges for the country, but the general sense is that the new arrivals have been accommodated reasonably well.
The "new Irish," as they are sometimes called, have helped keep up the numbers at Catholic churches, which have suffered from falling attendances. One Dublin church holds nine Polish Masses each week.
Even in Northern Ireland, which is often regarded as a less hospitable destination, many immigrants have established themselves. There the picture has been more troubled, with a wave of sometimes vicious racial attacks on newcomers, but a Chinese-born woman, Anna Lo, successfully stood for election to the Belfast Assembly earlier this year.
Mr Adebari, in accepting his new office, said: "History is being made today, not by me Rotimi, but by the people of Portlaoise.Who would ever have thought when I first came to this country seven years ago that I would ever be elected first citizen of the great town of Portlaoise? In my own country today I don't think I'd be accepted in the way I am here today."
