David Ford said: “America has had to wait too long for someone like Barack Obama. His inauguration is seen as heralding a bright new era.
“Barack’s election has brought hope to millions of people around the world. He has a mandate for change: to bring stability to troubled regions, to tackle the economic downturn and to act against climate change.
“This is a very exciting time for America and the rest of the world. I hope President Obama will bring fresh new thinking to the often cynical world of politics.”
ENDS