Nigerians ‘shut down’ New York for Independence Day parade

Nigerians crossed the United States connected Saturday turned New York into a oversea of colour, music, and patriotism arsenic they celebrated the 2025 Nigeria Independence Day Parade and Carnival.

The lawsuit brought unneurotic thousands of Nigerians and friends of Nigeria from crossed the U.S. and beyond.

The parade procession, which stretched from East 38th Street to East 24th Street on Madison Avenue, unopen down the engaged midtown corridor to traffic.

It was led by the Organisation for the Advancement of Nigerians (OAN), successful collaboration with the Consulate General of Nigeria successful New York and different spouse organisations.

Uniformed contingents from the New York Police Department, the New York City Department of Correction and different diaspora groups marched alongside Nigerian taste associations, nonrecreational bodies, spiritual organisations and younker groups.

The vibrant floats, accepted attire and creation troupes drew cheers from spectators lining the streets.

Among the dignitaries successful attendance were the Consul General of Nigeria successful New York, Amb. Abubakar Jidda, UN Deputy Secretary-General, Ms Amina Mohammed, and the Acting Ambassador of Nigeria to the U.S., Amb. Samson Itegboje.

Others included Mr Syndoph Endoni, Chargé d’Affaires astatine Nigeria’s Permanent Mission to the UN; Mrs Ngozi Adeleke, woman of the Osun governor; and Amb. Nicholas Ella, a erstwhile Permanent Secretary successful the Ministry of Petroleum Resources.

Diplomats and metropolis officials besides joined the parade from 38th Street down to 24th Street successful the bosom of Manhattan – areas that were closed to vehicular postulation to accommodate the celebration.

Following the parade, the lawsuit transitioned into a afloat carnival astatine Madison Square Park, featuring electrifying philharmonic performances and taste displays, including those by Chinese creation troupes.

Popular Nigerian creator Bella Shmurda headlined the entertainment, thrilling the youthful assemblage and energising the festival atmosphere.

In his remarks, Jidda congratulated Nigerians successful the diaspora and commended the organisers for sustaining the parade and carnival annually since 1991 without fail.

“Nigeria remains a large nation, and 65 years of independency is worthy celebrating successful spite of its challenges,” Jidda said.

“Our radical are our strength, and Nigerians person been a blessing to the world, peculiarly present successful the United States, wherever our quality resources proceed to excel.

In summation to its taste and amusement value, the parade strengthens Nigeria’s image, fosters U.S.-Nigeria ties and promotes the affirmative contributions of Nigerians successful the diaspora.”

Jidda noted that Nigeria remains the lone African federation that hosts a full-scale independency time parade and carnival successful New York City — a contented that has positioned Nigerians arsenic a disposable and influential diaspora community.

The President of OAN, Mrs Olutomi Aregbesola, besides underscored Nigeria’s strategical relevance connected the planetary stage.

“This parade is much than a celebration; it is simply a connection of who we are arsenic Nigerians,” she said.

“Our culture, our resilience and our achievements are worthy celebrating and showcasing to the world.”

Chairman of the Parade Committee, Mr Olayinka Dan-Salami, praised the resilience of the Nigerian assemblage and appealed for much sponsorship and support.

“Nigerians person shown twelvemonth aft twelvemonth that we are committed to lifting this parade higher,” helium said.

“With much enactment and sponsorship from well-meaning Nigerians and friends of Nigeria, we tin instrumentality this solemnisation to the adjacent level.”

Other speakers commended the organisers for increasing the lawsuit into the largest African nationalist solemnisation of its benignant extracurricular the continent, promoting Nigeria’s representation and strengthening ties with U.S. communities and institutions.

Attendees enjoyed a assortment of Afrobeat music, manner exhibitions, taste performances, and Nigerian and African cuisine passim the day.

Adeola Adesina, a first-time attendee, described the solemnisation arsenic “a location distant from home” and a almighty awesome of unity and pride.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) re...