Tag Archives: Historic

First Ever Muslim Somali-American Woman Elected As MP In Historic US Election

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Ilhan Omar, 34, has made history by becoming the first Somali legislator in the United States. A former refugee, the Somali-born activist has been elected to serve as an MP in the US state of Minnesota. The Muslim Somali-American woman becomes the highest-ranking Somali elected to office in the US.

Her election comes just days after US President-elect Donald Trump accused Somali immigrants in Minnesota of “spreading their extremist views”.

Minnesota has the nation’s largest Somali community – about 50,000 according to the US census.

Celebrating her victory, Ms Omar said she would be the “voice for the marginalised” in the state parliament.

“I think I bring the voice of young people. I think I bring the voice of women in the East African community. I bring the voice of Muslims. I bring the voice of young mothers looking for opportunities,” Minnesota Public Radio quoted her as saying.

Ms Omar escaped from Somalia with her family at the start of the civil war when she was eight years old.

They lived in a Kenyan refugee camp for four years, before moving to the US and settling in a Somali-American neighbourhood in Minnesota.

Read More: BBC

Wike Describes Buhari’s Visit For Ogoni Cleanup Launch As Historic

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Gov. Nyesom Wike of Rivers has described the visit of President Muhammadu Buhari for the launch of the Ogoni cleanup programme as historic.

Speaking during a state-wide broadcast on Wednesday in Port Harcourt, Wike said that the visit was historic because it was not a political mission.

According to him, the visit is a good omen for the state since it is to kick-start the cleanup of oil exploration-induced pollution on Ogoniland.

“The president is not on a political visit to the state; he is here to kick-start the largest environmental cleanup in our nation’s history; this makes it historic.

“It is a visit for which Rivers people and indeed the Niger Delta will remain grateful.’’

The governor used the medium to urge Rivers people to come out massively to accord the president a warm reception.

Wike announced that the government would put every measure in place to ensure that the state was safe for the presidential visit to achieve its purpose.

“We have, therefore, banned the use of motorcycles and tricycles in Gokana and Khana Local Government Areas for the period between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. on Thursday.

“I call on Rivers people to be peaceful, law-abiding and demonstrate the traditional Rivers hospitality towards the president and his distinguished entourage throughout the visit.

“As I have noted earlier, Mr President is here as the father of the nation, who cares about the environmental and developmental challenges that we face,’’ Wike said.

 

(NAN)