Nigerians in Rochester, NY celebrate 52nd Anniversary in style

Posted by admin American Politics, Headlines Wednesday, October 31st, 2012

Nigerian Association of Greater Rochester, Inc.

(NAGRoch., Inc), P. O. Box 77422,

Rochester, New York

My Fellow Nigerians and friends of Nigeria, It is with great pleasure and humility that I write this summary of the activities during our 52nd Independence Anniversary Celebration in Rochester New York. We embarked on a very ambitious program to celebrate this year’s anniversary like no other. Based on the response and feedback received after the event, I am proud to let you know that we accomplished our objectives. For this, a special THANKS to the Planning Committee, for their dedication, participation and excellent execution. We just witnessed and lived through yet again a historical event that people broke Kolanut and prayed over back on the 1st of October 1960.

The Celebration of Nigeria’s 52nd Independence Anniversary we in the Greater Rochester area did ourselves very proud. The Banquet Hall of the Temple B’rith Kodesh, Rochester was filled with gorgeously attired Ladies, Men and Children. We came out in style to wow members of the Communities known as the Greater Rochester Area with our culture and attire. All de kind “Gele” fashions wey my eyes see dat day, not be for my mouth to talk Oh. We celebrated representatives of Institutions who continue to help us maintain stability in our community. This time The Arc of Monroe County, President/CEO Barbara Wale was represented by Ms. Wendy Johnson. Who received our “Community Organization Award.” This is an award presented to Organizations that have many Nigerians in their employment.

We broke Kolanut to let our visitors know that we welcome them into our midst. Poured libation to invite our Ancestors to join us in our celebration. We had a Fashion Show like no other. Children of Nigerians and friends of Nigeria took over the stage and did us all very proud with their Fashion show which ended in a “FLASH MOB” in ‘Gangnam Style’ Dancing. We had our much younger Children come out to do Traditional Dancing, supported by the Young Men in Egungun Masquerade Costumes, they became a tough act to follow. We acknowledged some member families for their continued sacrifices and support for the initiatives that successions of administrations of NAGRoch., Inc. embark upon. Ms. Caroline Ikpeze, Mrs. Adline Nwugwo and The Mr. Peter Ochi and Family. Anthosua Restaurant treated us to delectable assortment of dishes of Nigerian Cuisine We had The Suny College at Brockport take a table.

All celebrated our Nations Milestone with us. While all of these were happening, we enjoyed and danced to music from the Machine of DJ Ataba who lit up the dance floor for hours. Our Keynote Speaker this year was The Winner of our Children Essay Contest.

Ms. N. Ibezim. T O P I C : HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS – $300.00. Tell us in your own words about your Nigerian Parent/s —- Their Heritage (tribe), Family, Culture, Indigenous Food preferences, Structure, extended relations, etc. Tell us about your Nigerian Family in America, Tell us about your challenges/concerns, being of Nigerian Cultural Household, growing up in American Society.—- The challenges you have, interacting with friends from different cultural heritages or lack thereof.

MIDDLE SCHOOL STUDENTS – $200.00. Tell us in your own words about your Nigerian Parent/s’, Heritage (tribe), Family, Culture, Indigenous Food preferences,

ELEMENTARY SCHOOL STUDENTS – $100.00. Tell us in your own words about your Nigerian Parent/s’, Heritage (tribe), Family, Culture, Indigenous Food preferences,

1) MS. N. IBEZIM – HIGH SCHOOL. 2) MR. C. NWUGWO -MIDDLE SCHOOL. 3) MS. M. IBEZIM – ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

A Special THANK YOU goes to the our Professionals who helped to grade the Essays: Dr. Chinwe Ikpeze, Mr. Peter Ochi and Dr. Hussain Baba Ahmed. The main purpose of this Essay Contest is to encourage discussion between Parent/s and Child/ren, to focus the topic/s of their discussions around Family, their heritage and the Challenges they face being Children raised in a Nigerian Cultured Home, interacting with their peers in the American Society. Generous donations from the households of: Dr. John and Jacqueline Ejaife, Mr. Toni and Debby Anih, Dr. Peter and Elizabeth Okoye, Mr, Uchenna Nwokocha and Mr. Peter Ochi, helped to defray the cost of funding the Essay Contest Initiative. The very capable, and dedicated efforts of the Executive and Planning Committees helped to execute the plan that delivered the acclaimed event. Executive Committee: Mr. Joseph Ibezim, Mr. Sammy Udofa, Mr. Felix Nwachi, Mr. Femi Olaode, and Mr. Uchenna Nwokocha. Planning Committee : Mr. Peter Ochi (Chair), Mr. Ishmael Nwaobia, Ms. Arito Pepple, Mrs Caroline Ikpeze, Chief Ambrose Nwaimo.

On behalf of the the Executive Committee, The Social Committee, My Household, and the entire Community of Nigerians and Friends of Nigeria in the Greater
Rochester Area, I extend my profound gratitude to all the unsung heroes who worked diligently and tirelessly to ensure the success of our milestone event. Mr. Michael Nwokelo who helped last minute with the tickets and program Booklets, Dr. Godwin Ogbonna with whom I spent almost sleepless nights putting the whole program together, Mr. Best Batchateu who helped with designing the tickets and others like them. To those who came, a hearty THANK YOU! to all of you. I welcome feedback from our audience about the event so that we can do a better job next time. May we all live longer and healthier to celebrate more Nigerian Independence Anniversaries. I encourage all who are not members at this time to seriously consider joining us to be part of the STRENGTH IN OUR NUMBERS.

Respectfully submitted, Daniel Ajegba –

President & CEO – NAGRoch., Inc.
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