Ambassador Lot Egopija, the Consul General of Nigeria in New York, announced plans to commemorate the late Nigerian singer, Mohbad, with a special Independence Day event scheduled for October 2.
Ambassador Lot Egopija, during an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in New York, revealed this information while encouraging Nigerians in the United States to hold onto hope for the future of their country and its leadership, coinciding with Nigeria’s 63rd Independence Day Anniversary celebrations at home and abroad.
The theme of the anniversary is ‘Nigeria@63, Renewed Hope for Unity and Prosperity.’
Ambassador Egopija confirmed that on Monday, October 2, the Consulate will hold a dinner in partnership with OAN after the flag-raising ceremony.
‘My message to Nigerians is, ‘We should be hopeful and we should hold on to our belief that we will all arrive at our destination’.
‘As the president has admonished us, let us ensure that even as the government renews our hope through its policies, we will also do everything to follow and ensure that we attain our desired goals,’ he said.
He added, ‘Unfortunately, we had earlier invited MohBad, who recently passed on, to perform as the special artist at the festival; having lost him, we will honour him with the event.’
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‘Also, many cultural groups will perform; Nigerians and Nigerian associations in America who want to showcase their culture and promote tourism in their respective ethnic groups are welcomed.’
‘Mayor Eric Adams has also agreed to participate with us to ensure the success of the festival and the parade.’
‘The parade will start at 2nd Avenue and East 54th Street and will proceed to East 44th and ends at Dag Hammarskjold Park where the festival will be held,’ he said.
The envoy, however, urged every Nigerian to come for the celebrations, saying, ‘It is only in our celebration of Nigeria that we can come together and it is in togetherness that we can overcome our challenges.’
The diplomat expressed that hope is thriving and being revitalized in alignment with the President’s “Renewed Hope Agenda.”
Ambassador Egopija, on the other hand, stressed the need for diasporas to follow government policies and make meaningful contributions to President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s “Renewed Hope Agenda.”
Speaking to newsmen, he mentioned that the Consulate General of Nigeria in New York had organised various events to observe the anniversary and encouraged Nigerian nationals living within its jurisdiction to join these celebrations.
The planned activities encompass the Flag Raising ceremony set for Monday, Oct. 2, and the Independence Anniversary Parade and Festival scheduled for Saturday, Oct. 7.
These events will be jointly organised by the Consulate, the Nigeria Independence Day Committee, and the Organisation for the Advancement of Nigerians.
‘Judging from the mood of the nation, after the successful visit of Mr. President to the United Nations General Assembly, we will be having celebrations to commemorate our independence anniversary.’
‘It is significant because this year, for the first time, Nigeria’s flag will be hoisted at the Bowling Green Arena.’
‘This is possible because of Mayor Eric Adams’ friendly disposition to the Consular Corps. He has given the Consular Corps all the support so we have indicated interest that we want our national flags to be raised at Bowling Arena,’ he said.
Egopija recalled that flag-raising events were done outside New York before now.
‘If you recall before now, we do have our flag raising in other cities but not in New York. Nigeria’s flag will be hoisted at Bowling Green, incidentally, it is the site where the American National Flag was first hoisted.’
‘So, we are doing everything to ensure that Nigerians will participate, we have invited a couple of Nigerians who have excelled in their various positions.’
‘We’ve also invited Nigerian diaspora organisations within New York jurisdiction to come and witness the event. The mayor himself will be there as a special guest and together, we will hoist the Nigeria flag.’