In attendance were, individuals Nigerians and Nigerian in various groups. Among these groups were, cultural troupes in resplendent costumes, also in notable attendance were, Nigerian Associations of varied professional bodies, such as the Nigerian Nurses Association; etc. And there were social cultural associations such as the Zumunta USA, Esan Cultural Association USA, then, there were Nigerian religious groups such as the Nigerian Muslim Association USA, there churches and mosques represented as well.

In particular, there was the Esan Cultural Association drummer in all red costume, and the Esan dance Masquerade Igbabonenlinmin or Egbabonenlinmin? In red and black multicolored costume, prominently drumming and displaying on the parade route too.

There are very many Nigerian lawyers in New York, perhaps, all of America, but the Nigerian Lawyers Association of New York organization, NLA, were conspicuously absent from the parade! NLA was absent, despite an e-mail sent out by the NLA president Tinuade Awe Esquire urging attendance of the Nigeria Independence Day Parade festivities ….but apathy or total disconnect got in the way of NLA, I suppose.

On the whole, the National Day Celebrations in New York has surely and positively come of age. It has come a long way in size and the number of activities featured, this year had for instance, rows of Nigerian restaurants set in outdoor dinning modes near the magnificent Nigeria House edifice on

between East 44^th and 45^th streets.

Nigeria House is a major monument and landmark skyscraper, and neighboring streets were closed off for our national day celebrations.

The Nigerian restaurants, operating in outdoor modes, outside of their usual indoor elements, served hot foods ranging from pounded yam, rice in different rendition, Suya, other cooked foods plentiful. I personally purchased fried snails, two pints of Isi-Ewu, Stock Fish in stew, there were cooked Nigerian foods in assortments, and expectedly, foods from the different regions of wondrously diverse nation! The only difficulty that I encountered was the discipline and self-restraint efforts and so, waiting to get home to eat the Nigerian foods that I had purchased; big exercise in self-restraint which required strong willed efforts on my part, as I salivated during my trip home, inhaling the aromas of the Isi-Ewu, the Oporoko etc, whoa!

Nigeria’s Independence Day celebrations this year, as in previous years, was organized by the Organization for the Advancement of Nigeria or OAN, This organization with such equally befitting name, have been doing it utmost best, even with the barest minimum of resources at their disposal, to truly celebrate Nigeria every year since, and this October 1^st like several before it were outing on behalf of Nigeria, OAN’s best outing so far, and we must remember, that it is all about Nigeria and nothing else really matters! Nigerians ought to thank OAN for keeping the flag of Nigeria flying high in New York !

But of course, I will mention that every new undertaking present teething problems, with planning and executions snafus, here and there in the past, but the national day festivities this year 2005 was pure joy and went smoothly with a hitches, it was spotlessly done.

This year’s planning and execution was flawless, there were no tardiness on the part of the organizers, nor the sponsors, planners and implementers, and even participating attendees were all united in their punctuality, their camaraderie, Nigerians were glowing in celebration and unity! It was in every sense, a beautiful sight to behold!

And as the saying goes, from little acorn, a mighty oak tree grows” and so it goes, that Nigeria’s National Day festivities in New York this year have progressively moved from five persons about ten years ago, when October 1^st was first celebrated by Nigerians in America, to the several thousands that trooped and besieged Second Avenue in Manhattan in New York City in deluges, during this year’s fiesta by Nigerians! October 1^st 2005 events in New York must be the year we crossed the Rubicon!

The events began with a parade of several city blocks which rested at the streets surrounding Nigeria House, streets that were blocked off, for the purpose of Nigeria ’s national day celebrations. Speeches were given by three governors, Governor Shekarau of Kano , Governor Bafarawa of Sokoto and Governor Saraki of Kwara state, thereafter, there were dancing, singing and eating….there was a further invitation to Marriot Hotel for dinner and party, but, at the end of the speeches and my running around taking pictures of all Nigerian colorful groups, I was too tired to go to the Marriot Hotel party, besides, I did not have any personal invitation! And I will not grate-crash any party.

The weather was beautiful, as mother-nature cooperated just as well, it was sunny, coolest breezes of October, Fall Season and the street felt like air-conditioned rooms-like!

The New York Police Department NYPD provided public safety and protection as is usual in New York City, where there are parades galore, due to the fact that countries of the world have their citizens all represented here, and so, when the different nationals of the conglomerate of nations have cause to celebrate or protest, for the different multiplicities of situations or issues emanating from various countries, the NYPD is always on hand to take charge of public safety and orderliness. In New York , there is always some parade or some flag waving ceremonies or parade going-on, it feels wonderful that Nigeria has finally joined the fun in large numbers

During the parade last Saturday, a Nigerian activist Mr. Omoyele Sowore and members of Nigeria Liberty Forum or NLF, graced the parade with a protest entourage, his activities led to a minor scuffle, because some had expressed dissatisfaction, as they saw him as raining on our parade or trying to hold it to a standstill, but Sowore insist that he was doing his protest for a the good of Nigeria and for a good cause… he was eventually allowed to participate alongside, after earlier scuffles were quickly resolved, Sowore formed one of the groups in the parade proper, and marched along with others, so, the Sowore entourage marched side by side with fellow Nigerians who were in joyous celebratory mood.

A day before, NLF actually organized a public lecture to celebrate Nigeria, I was a guest speaker among others, and in the lecture, we examined Nigeria’s achievement, challenges, accomplishments and past, present and prospects, with particular attention paid to the past forty five years since political independence on October 1^st 1960, when Britain ceased to occupy Nigeria as colonial political and economic administrators.

At the NLF event, there were speculations that six state governors will be attending the Saturday parade and festivities, but, there were actually three governors at the ceremonies. Some Nigerians had questioned whether these governor were doing the right thing coming to New York on October 1^st, instead of staying home in their various state to address their citizens, and then take the salute on that all important day in Nigeria, some argued that these governors could have sent cultural troupes, with commissioners for tourism and culture etc There were also questions about the cost to taxpayers, especially, if these governors had traveled with sizeable entourage.

I wished that Sowore or anyone did not demonstrate or protest or put any damper on the parade, even for a one minute. I wished that I did not witness any protests, or the defacing our flag by any activists, or Sowore and his group who had written scurrilous epithet on our flag! but we must see this a gain from democracy or democracy’s dividends, as we must ask the question, what is democracy without dissent? What is democracy without the requisite freedom to be different? Or the freedom to associated or assemble or the freedom of expression of one or group political gripes?

The Sowore group, despite their protest mission, it turned out, that they actually brought the longest and largest flag of Nigeria to the parade events, this is new! Everything this year was new, different and better! Everyone brought a copy of our flag or bought a copy of flag of Nigeria on the parade route and 90% of the parade attendees wore African attires, or some clothes rendered in green white green combinations of our national colors, either engraved or embossed on shirts and or T-shirts, with messages ranging from “I am 100% Nigerian” to “Nigerian, born in the USA” and other T-shirt messages were such as “Naija Girl” Powered by Garri” and “Born Nigerian, Nigerian Always!” etc

The surprise was that 95% of the attendees at this year’s parade were very young Nigerians or young boys and girls born of Nigerian parents here in America, and not just our old and nostalgic or home sick older Nigerians like me, but, instead, I was pleasantly surprise to find that, I met parents who told me that their teenage children brought them or insisted on coming to the parade! This is of course contrary to the speculations that are rife, it is to the effect that generation X or the iPod generations of Nigerian are completely out of touch with things Nigerian and Nigeria , as they are also said to be angry at the older generation who have not done well by Nigeria , wasted opportunities and resources and all. But last Saturday national day celebration put a lie to all that, the young Nigerians present sang, danced and flirted with each other and their commonalities were clearly apparent to all! They the young people displayed such youthful and nationalist or patriotic enthusiasm and outstanding exuberance

This year’s October 1^st was a bumper harvest of euphoria for me in a very personal sense! What with the flag of Nigeria galore? Flag of Nigeria was everywhere! Nigerian flag is all shapes and sizes and plentiful! It is the must exuberantly colorful Nigerian National Independence Day parade that I have ever seen any where outside of Nigeria, Sokoto sponsored a float with dancers wrapped in the flag of Nigeria, there was the colorful Esan Masquerade, the Calabar colorful scarves in green white green dance troupe, gorgeous costumes and all, perhaps, other states will join the parade next year and years to come? When states in Nigeria engage in healthy competition, Nigeria wins! See everyone next year!

A healthy competition between the states in float sponsorships, float decorations, cultural troupes display, tourism ministry interacting with New Yorkers, all this will be good for the uplift of tourism, culture, and economy of participating states and all these, will be benefits for all Nigerians and Nigeria, after all, it is all about Nigeria!

Robot  Villager

# 1 Link to the article is here Posted by Robot| 06.10.2005 00:45

Guest

# 2 When will Paul Adujie learn that things are no longer at ease with Nigeria? A fool at 45!!! Posted by Guest| 06.10.2005 17:05

N.A.R.

# 3 Err. Paul, I am sure you have read the other report on the Nigerian parade, STARKLY different from yours, did reading that prompt you to write this account? Secondly, I think Sowore and co. will differ with you very strongly when you say: During the parade last Saturday, a Nigerian activist Mr. Omoyele Sowore and members of Nigeria Liberty Forum or NLF, graced the parade with a protest entourage, his activities led to a minor scuffle, because some had expressed dissatisfaction, as they saw him as raining on our parade or trying to hold it to a standstill, but Sowore insist that he was doing his protest for a the good of Nigeria and for a good cause… he was eventually allowed to participate alongside, after earlier scuffles were quickly resolved, Sowore formed one of the groups in the parade proper, and marched along with others, so, the Sowore entourage marched side by side with fellow Nigerians who were in joyous celebratory mood. Posted by N.A.R.| 06.10.2005 17:49

Paul I Adujie in a feedback co

# 4 DAR and others, please read the excerpt comments below.... from another website and by Nigerians who were there themselves, and yes! I do have pictures! Except that I have not had time to sort them...time is the same reason my report was only written last night! I do have a full time employment that is very demanding. http://www.nigeriansinamerica.com/ http://www.nigeriansinamerica.com/articles/754/1/Nigeria%92s-National-Independence-Day-Celebrations%2C-New-York-2005 Comments Comment #1 (Posted by Cletus E. Olebunne) Rating Paul I share your sentiment. I spoke with you at the parade. Nigeria Liberty Forum may have carried the biggest flag but the group made the flag the smallest of the flags by defacing our beautiful national flag. As the next generation of Nigeria leaders we should learn how to set example first by respecting our national flag. Our dislike for one nigerian citizen should not give any other citizen the right to disrespect our national flag because no one individual owns that flag. Therefore a group of persons or a person who disrespects the Nigerian flag disrespects every Nigerian on the surface of this earth. It was more disappointing that few of NLF members that I noticed are well educated young Nigerians who should have known better if they want to set good examples to especially the American born younger Nigerians in the Parade. These younger American born Nigerians know not to deface the American Flag even when in disagreement with their leaders. As a student of organized interest and public policy in democratic governance; I have come to appreciate the importance of organized interests as major conduits --- along with voting and political parties -- through which citizens come to understand and then express their policy preferences to the public officials. I respect this principle of association withing organized interest groups or political action committees (PACs). When successfully applied in a greater multitude of objects it allows dialogues that presents the best public policies that benefit every citizen. Interest groups are also very important either to circumvent elected officials should they be overly influenced by special interest or to remove public decisions from their hands into those of professionals attentive to the public interest. In concluding my case I note that as the next generation of Nigeria leaders our participations in the expression of our collective interest to the government should be beyond the political activities of individual citizens as we learn to respect our national flag and hope for a generational change in leadership in the Nigeria democractic dispensation. Comment #2 (Posted by Goddy) Rating Once again Paul Aduije has wriiten an excellent article. I must also commend the wonderful comment by Cletus. Even for those of us non-New Yorkers who witnessed the beautiful parade it was a moment of joy and appreciation of our nation. While we all acknowledge the nation\'s problems we also note the vast improvemnets that are taking place. And we are confident that one day and soon too the nation will finally attain the great status we envision. Like a friend never tires of saying a ten year-old sore can never be cured in one year.....not even by the best doctor in the world. As for the shameful actions of Sowore and his fellow perpetually cynical sad and disgruntled Nigerians on the occasion we can only hope (as someone once stated) that one day they will learn to grow up! It\'s okay for them to be so cynical but in a democracy they should not expect or demand that everyone must share in their negative attitudes. It was very disgraceful to see Sowore as he was led away by New York police at a moment when several African Americans were telling us that the mere seeing the beautiful Nigerians on the occasion made them feel very proud of their Black African heritage. As Sowore was being led away we did explained to our curious African American friends that the young man was protesting against our government. But our American friends were only amused wondering if the young man (Sowore) has not lived long enough in America to know that even America is plaqued with several of the political social and other problems he was protesting against. But more importantly everyone agreed that instead of crashing a party Sowore and his group could have had their own occasion on a different day or at a different venue. Posted by Paul I Adujie in a feedback co| 06.10.2005 18:42

Guest

# 5 Mr. Adujie\'s eyeglasses might need urgent replacement. There were about 20 members of the Nigerian Lawyers Association (including the President, Tinu Awe) and their families at the parade. In fact, the woman selling the t-shirts that read \"Powered by Garri\", (as reported by Mr. Adujie) is a member of the group. Let\'s see if Mr. Adujie has the courage to retract this erronous report. Posted by Guest| 06.10.2005 19:16

Dele Oyediran

# 6 The article written by Paul Adujie and the incendiary comments posted by those special citizens of Nigeria who equates the rights of a Nigerian flag to that of her displeased citizens saddens my heart. It will remain sad everydayfor so-called civilized Nigerians to hide behind a non existent flag to defend the injustices and corruption of Nigerian leaders. I still don\'t understand how and why, the protest led by Sowore and the NLF violates the rights of an ignorant majority of Nigerians who refuse to do something about their own plight. And what is with that hedonistic report about African Americans who came to enjoy the parade and then witnessed a protest? Are those African Americans more important than our country men and women who have to die in our hospitals because state governors ran away with their revenues? Why would an African American be upset to see another blackman (or black people) protest against injustice-where is the heresy in protesting against useless leaders? Haba, who are these blind commentators and what are they talking about, really! Who is paying this Paul Adujie to be such hater of truth? I am also writing because, I witnessed the parade and the protest, to describe it as a minor \"scuffle\" remains the greatest lie ever told. It was by all account a loud protestation that attracted the everyone on 44th street including the NYPD. Twice the NYPD had to intervene. Folks, I saw as these patriots were led away by the police, I waited behind to continue the events, but in my personal confession, I must say that I felt ashamed at myself for standing aloof, when it matters most. This will hunt me for a long time, I really felt guilty. It is good to give honor to whom it is due. It took one woman, Rosa Park, refusing to obey the law and the US flag to desegregate the bus transportation in the South. Today, Uncle Toms like Paul Adujie are enjoying that freedom, that came from a courageous act of someone who broke the law for the sake of the black race. Let the flag burn, if it can\'t give our people their dignity!!! My case rested until provoked again. Posted by Dele Oyediran| 06.10.2005 19:45

N.A.R.

# 7 Hmmm, I wonder is this the same guest from the previous post? So you were at the parade??? Hmm I wonder! Well its good to see that I am not the only one with contrary views to Mr. Sowore\'s actions. BUT! I think no apology was necessary to be given to the African Americans, they must realize that we just like them are NOT all ONE people we are a people with induvidual minds and actions! A good characteristic of progressive people. See Shoko\'s article on Mad people needed in Nigeria! Posted by N.A.R.| 06.10.2005 19:46

N.A.R.

# 8 Dele, I have a few questions for you, without going into the reports of Paul or Sowore. Questions: 1. Is it possible to love the country but not love the leaders of the country? 2. Is it right or wrong to celebrate the country, what is should be, what you wnat it to be or what it has been? 3. Do people reserve the right to organize and NOT have certain persons included in their organizations and celebrations if they do not share similar viewpoints? 4. Finally, as one who attended the celebration, what was your intention of going to the celebrations? Could it be one of the following: a. Attend and partake in the festivities b. Attend and abuse all partaking in the festivites c. Protest at the festivities d. Curiosity: to observe what the festivities were about and what it would be like. e. To kill time, chop good Nigerian food, drink ogogoro and open eye fiaaaaa.... f. To learn to fly an aeroplane g. To see fine fine Naija babes h. None of the above i. All of the above Or provide your own answer! Thanks Posted by N.A.R.| 06.10.2005 19:57

Dele Oyediran

# 9 N.A.R: I feel insulted that you will send me a sleuth of questions to answer for you as though I am not entitled to my own assesment of events. If you doubt me, that is your own wahala! None of your questions above make any sense to me, neither did they address my comments. Posted by Dele Oyediran| 06.10.2005 20:23

Donald Bebeyo

# 10 Mr. National Attacker of Reason, I can\'t believe you are still making all these stupid comments of yours. earlier this week you sat and blogged away over the photos from the protests. Are you a dog tied to the Nigeria Village Square to bark against every voice of reason? It is only a dog that will not have the courage to submit his name openly. N.A.R nko!, N.R.A ni. Please go find a full time job and quit the Village square. Otherwise, won ma fie b\'ogun ni, sho tigbo? Oloshi! -Don London Posted by Donald Bebeyo| 06.10.2005 20:29

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