By Cecilia Ologunagba
Washington D.C, Oct. 7, 2023
Nigeria’s Ambassador to the U.S., Dr Uzoma Emenike, has urged Nigerians in the U.S. to continue to keep the flag flying and be committed to promoting the prosperity of their homeland.
Emenike made the call at a reception to mark the 63rd Independence Day Anniversary at the Embassy of Nigeria in Washington D.C., U.S.
The envoy said Nigerians home and abroad had a lot to celebrate in the past 63 years.
“We have every reason to celebrate and keep hope alive. We are a special set of people. It takes being a Nigerian to understand a Nigerian.
“We are just amazing and awesome. We are indeed good ambassadors for our beloved country. So, let us continue to keep the flag flying,’’ she said.
Emenike, who acknowledged and appreciated the friendship, support and collaboration of numerous partners, said Nigeria, in the past 63 years, had achieved remarkable feats in spite of the challenges it is facing.
She said, “Like many nations, Nigeria is going through a rough patch and there is light at the end of the tunnel.
“As a nation, Nigeria has gone through the good, the bad and the ugly.
“We are a resilient people and do always surmount whatever challenge we are faced with. Brighter days await us.’’
According to her, Nigeria had her general election and witnessed a successful transition with the emergence of the President Bola Tinubu-led administration.
Emenike said the president had taken some bold policy steps to reposition Nigeria with his “Renewed Hope Agenda”.
The envoy added, “With these new policy measures, there is no doubt that a new Nigeria is in the horizon….
“To the United States of America, we appreciate your partnership of shared common values. Permit me to re-echo Secretary Blinken’s comment.
“United States and Nigeria have built a strong partnership based on shared value of common pursuit of a more peaceful, prosperous and secured world.
“This sentence in a nutshell, encapsulates the cordial relations between the two countries.’’
Emenike further told the partners and friends that Nigeria would continue to appreciate their hand of friendship bilaterally and multilaterally, saying, “we also look forward to more robust collaborations in the coming years.’’
In his remarks, Dr Ibrahim Liman, Deputy Comptroller of Immigration expressed appreciation to the friends of Nigeria for their support and for attending the event.
“It shows a good working relationship with all the communities and it shows that Nigeria is very wonderful and great.
“And once again, I’d like to commend the mission for her efforts and the personalities in the embassy,’’ he said.
Also speaking, Mr. Joseph Aina, a Nigerian-American paid tribute to the founding fathers of Nigeria, who fought for the nation’s independence.
He said, “We should feel proud of them and also note that they worked and sacrificed ahead of us,’’
Aina, who has lived in the U,S. for 40 years urged Nigerians to live in unity, saying, “our diversity is our strength.
“What binds us together is greater than what drives us apart. Let us celebrate and collectively make Nigeria great.’’
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the reception was also attended by top officials of Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NIDO) and officials of the Embassy of Nigeria in Washington D.C.
They included the Deputy Head of Mission. Amb. Mobolaji Ogundero; Head of Chancery, Mrs. Titilayo Kolade; Deputy Defence Adviser, Lt.-Col. Adewale Oladipo and friends as well as partners of Nigeria.
