NCGC President, Dr. Victor Ihama delivering his speech at 55th Nigerian Independence Day Celebration.
Cross-Section of NCGC Members and Guests at the Event.
By Primus Chuk Igboaka, Cleveland, OH.
Cleveland, OHIO: The Nigerian Community in Greater Cleveland (NCGC) gathered at the Civic Center, 3130 Mayfield Road, Cleveland Heights, Ohio to mark Nigeria’s 55th Independence Anniversary.
This year’s anniversary celebration featured Nigerian and contemporary dances, Nigeria’s fashion show, award of scholarships to deserving Nigerian-Americans in Universities across the country in the fields of Engineering, Medicine and Health Care programs. Winners of the 2015 scholarships include Mr. Emeka Ezepue (Engineering), Aminat Adebayo (Health Care), Etoroabasi Ekpe (Health Care) and Anita Obodo (Pre-Med/Organic Chemistry/Biology).
President of Nigerian Community in Greater Cleveland (NCGC), Dr. Victor Ihama remarked that 2015 independence anniversary celebration came at time in history when Nigerians across the globe should be proud with the smooth transition of power from ruling to an opposition party in Nigeria. He described the successful handover as a feat that is unheard in Africa’s democratic process. “The transition of the recently elected government went flawless and violence was avoided to the delight of the world.” According Dr. Ihama, Nigeria is gradually ascending to lofty geo-political heights only reserved for politically seasoned giants. “From global economic standpoint, Nigeria has surpassed South Africa as the continent’s richest economy in spite of declining oil prices,” he declared. He urged all Nigerians across the globe to use the occasion of Nigeria’s 55th independence anniversary to reflect on our building a country for the betterment of Nigerians and our children.
Dr. Ihama remarked that in our adopted country – the United States, Nigerians in Greater Cleveland have a lot to be proud of as individuals and as a group. He expressed his deep appreciation to NGCC as it marks its 23rd anniversary as an organization. He thanked his executive members for their service and commitment to the organization, explaining that the evening of activities being witnessed would not have been possible without their leadership and commitment. He urged Nigerians who reside in Greater Cleveland who are not yet members to register and be part of the organization.
Earlier, the chairman of the evening event, Dr. Maurice Soremekun has reminded Nigerians in the Greater Cleveland to come together and be part of the organization. He remarked, “Alone, I cannot make, it together we can.” Furthermore, he cited a rephrased J. F. Kennedy’s January 20, 1961 inaugural speech, “”ask not what your country can do for you–ask what you can do for your country.” In Dr. Soremekun’s words, “Ask not what Nigeria could do for you but what you can do for Nigeria and our community.”
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