Lilian Seenoi-Barr was sworn into Derry City & Strabane District Council on Monday, shattering a glass ceiling as the first Black person in the local government’s highest position in Northern Ireland.
The 42-year-old Barr is officially the Mayor of Derry City after she was installed in an oath taken at the Derry City and Strabane District Council’s annual general meeting, where she was conferred with Mayoral chain from her predecessor Patricia Logue.
Now Mayor Barr, from the Social Democratic and Labour Party (SLDP), a Kenyan of Maasai roots, vowed to “lead with the ambition to drive real change” while speaking during that event, which was attended by nearly 300 people, including her brother Narok Senator Ledama Olekina and his Nairobi counterpart Edwin Sifuna.
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She said she was committed to work tirelessly for everyone and would focus her Mayoral year on “unity, growth and the common good,” pledging to work to end “poverty, attract investment and support young people to achieve their full potential, create jobs and advocate for quality affordable housing,” whilst also helping to end the long waiting lists for housing, deliver play parks for children and focus on addressing environmental issues, as per the Derry Journal.
During an interview with BBC, earlier before taking office as Mayor, Barr said she arrived in Derry back in 2010 as a refugee from Kenya.
The Founder and Chief Executive Officer at the North West Migrants Forum said her search for safety and a better life inspired her to vie for the top seat, having also a mission to tackle the racism agenda propagated and, according to her, supported by the opposition.
“Since I arrived, Derry has embraced me. It has granted me a family, a community and now, the honour to serve as your First Citizen.”
Mayor Barr was the councillor of the Foyleside ward since 2021 before joining SLDP, which nominated her for the mayoral position.
During her term in office, she will be supported by Ulster Unionist Deputy Mayor Alderman Darren Guy.
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