John Abraham Godson Sworn In As First Black Member Of Polish Parliament

John Abraham Godson Sworn In As First Black Member Of Polish Parliament

John Abraham Godson, a Polish citizen born and raised in Nigeria, has been sworn in as Poland's first black parliament member, the BBC is reporting.

Godson, a member of the ruling Civil Platform party, will have a seat in the lower house. Originally a councilman in the city of Lodz, the 40-year-old Godson was appointed to a seat being vacated by party colleague Hanna Zdanowskaafter, who has since been elected mayor of Lodz, according to AOL News.

"I am very happy, but I feel a great responsibility," Godson is quoted by the Warsaw Business Journal as saying. He also reportedly becomes one of central Europe's few black politicians. As a lawmaker, he says he plans to support technological innovation in Poland and bolster ties with Africa, according to the Associated Press.

A former English teacher and Christian pastor, Godson arrived in Poland 17 years ago. Granted Polish citizenship in 2000, Godson is married to a Polish woman and has four children.

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