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Several members of Ogbaru USA
Association, Inc. and children were present and directly
involved in the celebrations in which New Jersey’s Governor
James E. McGreevey opened his Princeton New Jersey
Mansion (Drumthwacket) to the Nigerian community in the Tri-State
Area on September 28, 2002 while marking the 42nd
Independence Anniversary of Nigeria.
Present at
the Governor’s home for the four-hour event which was attended
by close to 2,000 Nigerian-Americans and friends of Nigeria, were Mrs.
Nkechi Nwafili, President of
Ogbaru USA Association, Inc.,
Mrs Ifeoma Ndupu, Secretary, Ogbaru USA Association and Dr.
(Mrs) Ofunne Omo Obaze, Treasurer, Ogbaru USA Association,
Inc. and a member of Core Committee of Nigerian National Flag
Day in New Jersey which coordinated the event. Mrs
Victoria Uzoka and Mrs
Ifeoma Ndupu featured prominently as (Nne Egwu) dance
leaders for the Atilogwu Dancers led by Ichie Tony Ibida that
performed on the occasion. Miss.
Adaobi Ndupu and Miss Ona
Ndupu were among the Atilogu dancers. Other Ogbaru USA
Association, Inc. members in attendance were Mr.
Ike Nwafili, Mr. Oseloka Obaze
and many Ogbaru children. Several other Ogbaru indigenes in
attendance, were Mr. Ifeanyi Uzoka
and Ms. Ifeoma C. Obaze.
During the
event Governor McGreevey raised the Nigerian Flag, which will fly
proudly at his residence for one week. He also used the occasion
to honor two eminent Nigerians, Dr.
Ferdinand Ofodile, a plastic surgeon and Dr.
Adesoji Adelaja, an educationist and Songhai
Charities, Inc., a Nigerian a non-profit, community-based,
charitable, humanitarian organization. The Chairman of the Board
of Songhai Charities, Inc.
Mr. Oseloka Obaze, who is an
Ogbaruan, received the award on behalf of his organization.
Many
eminent Nigerians resident in New Jersey and New York attended the
event. Also present were Senator Robert Torricelli (D-NJ), the
Deputy Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the United Nations,
H.E. Ambassador T.O. Apata and the Consul-General of Nigeria in
New York, Hon. T.O. Oseni, who was also the keynote speaker.
The
Nigerian National Flag Day in New Jersey was co-organized by
the Nigerian Community in New Jersey (The Committee for the
Nigerian National Flag Day in New Jersey) and the New
Jersey Governor's Office as part of the celebration of
Nigeria’s 42nd Independence Anniversary. Click here
for colourful photos
of the event. [End] |
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