By Christian Smith

Toni Iwobi, a 62-year-old who was born in Gusau, Nigeria, has been elected as Italy’s first black Senator.

“After over 25 years of battles in the great family of the league, it is about to start another great adventure,” Mr Iwobi, a member of the Lega Nord political party said has he announced his entry into the Italian Parliament.

Mr Iwobi, an IT expert, who first became a town councillor in 1995 said: “it is with great emotion that I inform you that I was elected senator of the Republic.”

In a Facebook post, the chief immigration spokesperson for his party, credited his win to the leaders of the League, saying: “My thanks go to Matteo Salvini, a great leader who led the league to become the first centre-Centre force of the country!

“I have to thank then my National Secretary Paolo Grimoldi, my now former provincial secretary and new Congressman Daniele Belotti, the whole team of the department for work done over these years, the great league militants and all facebook friends for their support .

“I can’t forget my family, without them I wouldn’t have come here today because they never stopped supporting me and being close to me! Thank you, thank you, thank you! I’m ready, friends!”