For more than 24 years, the Nigerians in Diaspora Organisation (NiDO), New Jersey chapter, has organised ‘flag honouring’ ceremony to celebrate the Nigeria’s independence and prgress made so far in nation building.

The occasion is also used to celebrate Nigerians and their achievements, especially those living aboard.

NiDO has kept the tradition of organising a flag raising ceremony in collaboration with the Newark City Council, New Jersey, at the city Hall.

On Oct. 20, it held the 62nd Independence Anniversary Flag Raising ceremony with the theme, “ Hurdling to Glory and Greatness,’’ after the success story of hurdler, Tobi Amusan.

Nigerian Amusan stormed to victory in July at the 100 metres hurdles final at the World Championships held in Eugene, U.S., becoming the first athlete from Nigeria to win gold at such an event.

President of NiDO, New Jersey chapter, Dr Adeola Popoola, speaking on the event, said Nigerians had a lot of to be proud of such as the diaspora Nigerian, Amusan.

Popoola said Nigerians in the U.S. especially those in New Jersey had been outstanding in their careers and vocations.

“Look at our nurses; they are the best in the country; look at our doctors, they are some of the best; our physical therapists are the best in the U.S.

“Those in real estate and in the law profession are doing well also.

“We have a lot to be proud of. We also owe Nigeria a lot and we have to show to the whole world that Nigeria is good; that Nigeria is great, even though we have our challenges,’’ he said.

Sharing Popoola’s sentiments, a Nigerian American Yetunde Odugbesan-Omede, the keynote speaker at the event, said Nigerians home and abroad had been outstanding in their careers, in spite of challenges.

Odugbesan-Omede, who is a professor of Global Affairs and Political Science, said it would be a great gain to pass the flag to future generations without stain.

“We often talk about brain drain but let us focus on brain gain. Nigerians in the diaspora, all over the world have been able to be the ambassadors of Nigeria.

“We have been able to represent the country, we have been able to rewrite and change some of the narratives that have come out of Nigeria by answering the call to duty,’’ she said.

According to her, changing the narrative by making brain drain to brain grain is the new turning point as demonstrated by Tobi Amusan, the fastest hurdler in the world.

Odugbesan-Omede said Amusan represented a baton for every Nigeria to rewrite to bad narrative by turning challenges to successes and negative to positive.

“I look at her as a symbol of a baton, basically saying, here’s the baton to the next generations. How would you rewrite the new future?

“How will you change some of the global narratives that are out there; any issues that the country faces I always say they’re not peculiar to Nigeria,’’ she said.

The professor, cautioned against accepting `single story’ and negative news but rather urged Nigerians to focus on success stories and glories ahead.

“I often plead with the young people who are the first generations of Nigerians living abroad to understand that have a call to duty.

“Now you are afforded this exposure abroad and the opportunities that come with it; what will you do with it?

“Our accomplishments are not just our own, we have a responsibility to ensure that the next generation is trained to be the leaders that we need, whether here or back home.

“My responsibility is to ensure that the same experience, the same opportunities that I’ve had here in the U.S., should also be the same experience and opportunities that someone in Nigeria should also have,’’ she said.

Also speaking, Chairman/Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Nigerians in Diaspora Commission, Abike Dabiri-Erewa, commended Nigerians for being law abiding at aiming for the best in their careers.

Dabiri-Erewa, represented by the President of NiDO, New Jersey chapter, Dr Adeola Popoola, said Nigerians should resist any temptation to engage in acts capable of tarnishing the nation’s image.

She advised them embrace genuine love, care, commitment, and respect for laws of countries of residence.

“Please, always remember that you are our ambassadors who should excel in all you do and always maintain a link with home.

“Endeavour to contribute your quota and let us build the Nigeria we all dream about. We are proud of you,’’ she said.

At the event, 14 Nigerians who have contributed their quota to the development of the country were honoured including an 11-year-old girl, Delight Emenike.

Emenike was honoured for her entrepreneurship initiative of having a clothes line, designing, and sewing children’s clothes.

Also, Mrs Yemisi Oladele, Social Secretary at the Nigerian Consulate-General office in New York was honoured for her commitment to exceptional service to the Nigerian Community.

Other recipients were Prof. Yetunde Odugbesan-Omede (former Clinton Global Initiative Ambassador), Alhaja Temitope Adesina, Mr Ejikeme Uzor, Mr Igwe Nkem Onumara and Dr Lanre Babalola.

Reacting on behalf of the award recipients, Babalola, an Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, thanked the organisers for recognising their contributions to the Nigerian community and to humanity.

Amb. Lot Egopija, Consul-General of Nigeria in New York, encouraged Nigerians in New York and New Jersey to continue to give their utmost in whatever vocation they are engaged in saying.

“It’s 62 years since independence of Nigeria and we continue to huddle on to glory with you doing what you are doing and excelling in your given vocations. We are marching towards that glory,’’ he said.

CREDITED: Cecilia Ologunagba, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)