The new Lord Mayor of Leeds has been sworn in

The new Lord Mayor of Leeds has been officially sworn in at a council meeting.

Abigail Marshall Katung takes on the role of Al Garthwaite to become the city’s 130th Lord Mayor and the first person of African descent to hold the position.

The adviser will be supported by her husband, Nigerian Senator Sunday Marshall Katung.

“Since arriving in Leeds in 2000, the city has quickly become my beloved second home,” said Ms Marshall Katung.

Born in Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria, Mrs Marshall Katung came to the UK to study at the University of Leeds.

“It wasn’t just the city where I lived, studied and worked, it’s where I chose to raise my children and become a public servant,” said the athletics coach and governor of Leeds City College.

“My appointment as Lord Mayor has been widely celebrated in the city’s African community and is a shining example of the enormous contribution international students make to British society.

“As Lord Mayor of Leeds, I am committed to working tirelessly to ensure that voices are heard from all areas of the city and every triumph is recognized and celebrated.”

Watch BBC Yorkshire on Facebook, X (formerly Twitter)and Instagram. Send your story ideas to [email protected].

More on this story