11 years after relocating from Nigeria to American state with his father and siblings, a 29-year-old Nigerian identified as Beroro Efekoro has been elected as Albany County legislator in the state of New York.
Efekoro who moved to Albany in 2012 to pursue a degree in political science at the University at Albany, defeated incumbent Albany Democrat Doug Bullock in November’s general election and will represent the 7th legislative district, which encompasses the Beverwyck and Pine Hills neighbourhoods in Albany.
According to findings, the 24-year-old Nigerian-born legislator become a citizen of the state in 2014 while studying at the university. He started a nonprofit International Organization for Education to help studenuts succeed in school.
Upon graduating in 2015, he was selected as a committee person by Carolyn McLaughlin who was then-chairwoman of the Albany County Democratic Committee.
Efekoro currently serves as deputy ward leader for the 11th ward, but he unsuccessfully contested for the Common Council’s 11th ward seat against incumbent Judd Krasher and Democratic challengers Alfredo Balarin and Clifton Dixon in 2017.
The Nigerian man said to be one of the 10 new people joining the 39-member body, will become the first Nigerian-born politician to hold office in the county. He is expected to resume office on January 1, 2020.
While reacting to hjs victory in the just concluded election, he said;
“I’m very excited to jump in and get to work on the first day. I’m also looking to put in some initiatives that would improve education in the neighbourhood.
“I’ve been involved in community service for almost all my life. I got elected as my senior class president just one year after I arrived in the U.S. I got involved in the Democratic process even before I became a citizen. I was making calls to Congress and calls to people to support the Affordable Care Act, to go out and vote for President (Barack) Obama.”
