WARSAW, Poland (AP) — Poland’s parliament is getting its first ever African lawmaker, a teacher and Christian pastor from Nigeria who has lived in Poland for 17 years and proven himself a popular local leader.
John Abraham Godson is a councilman in the central city of Lodz. The 40-year-old will fill a seat in the national parliament vacated by a fellow lawmaker from the Civic Platform party.
That lawmaker, Hanna Zdanowska, was elected mayor of Lodz on Sunday. Godson was her runner-up in the 2007 parliamentary elections.
He said Monday that he feels honored and believes it is a “historic moment” for Poland. As a lawmaker he plans to support technological innovation in Poland and bolster ties with Africa.
His swearing-in is expected in the coming weeks.