New York parade counters stereotypes, projects Nigerian excellence – OAN
New York parade counters stereotypes, projects Nigerian excellence – OAN
The Organization for the Advancement of Nigerians says the annual Nigeria Independence Day Parade and Carnival in New York has helped to counter stereotypes and project Nigerian excellence.
President of OAN, Tomi Aregbesola, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the celebration sent a strong message about the permanence and influence of Nigerians in the United States.
The annual parade and carnival is adjudged the largest gathering of Nigerians abroad and has held since 1991 without fail.
“Nigerians are here to stay, and we will not be silenced. Wherever we are, we will always leave a footprint. And we are stronger together,” Aregbesola said.
She said the celebration was also an expression of solidarity with Nigerians at home who were facing difficult circumstances.
“Everything that we do here is to celebrate those at home that cannot celebrate. And we are thinking about you,” she said.
Aregbesola expressed optimism that Nigerians at home and abroad could work collectively toward a better future for the country.
Chairman of the Nigeria Independence Day Committee, Yinka DanSalami, said the turnout demonstrated what the Nigerian community could achieve with adequate organisation, resources and support.
“We are here to stay. We are celebrating our culture, we are celebrating our accomplishment, we are celebrating who we are,” he said.
DanSalami said the parade was conceived partly to challenge negative stereotypes historically associated with Nigerians and project the achievements of the wider community.
“We decided that enough is enough. You can’t continue stereotyping us,” he said.
According to him, the parade provides Nigerians with an opportunity to showcase their culture, heritage and accomplishments while telling their own story.
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“We are going to continue to show the whole world who we really are,” DanSalami said.
He said the growing attendance had also strengthened the political visibility of Nigerians before elected officials and the wider New York community.
“Numbers speak,” he said, adding that a large and organised diaspora community was more likely to have its concerns heard.
DanSalami said the parade began around 1991 with a much smaller turnout but had grown steadily into a major celebration of Nigerian identity in New York.
He recalled that early participants persevered even through poor weather because they were determined to challenge negative perceptions and build a positive platform for Nigerians.
The committee chairman said Saturday’s celebration reflected how far that vision had travelled, with Nigerians and non-Nigerians dancing to Nigerian music, eating Nigerian food and celebrating the country’s culture.
“Everybody in New York belongs to Nigeria today,” he said.
DanSalami also called for Nigerians in the diaspora to play a greater role in influencing policies and decisions affecting the country.
He said stronger diaspora organisation could enhance Nigeria’s international image while giving Nigerians abroad greater capacity to contribute ideas, investments and advocacy toward national development.
