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Nigerians Celebrate Independence In New York With Parade, Carnival

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Nigerians Celebrate Independence In New York With Parade

Nigerians Celebrate Independence In New York With Parade, Carnival

Nigerians celebrate independence in New York with parade, carnival. She praised the resilience of the Nigerian community and appealed for more sponsorship and support.

Nigerians across the United States, on Saturday, turned New York into a sea of colour, music, and patriotism as they celebrated the 2025 Nigeria Independence Day parade and carnival.

The event brought together thousands of Nigerians and friends of Nigeria from across the U.S. and beyond.
The parade procession, which stretched from East 38th Street to East 24th Street along Madison Avenue, shut down the busy midtown corridor to traffic.

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

Uniformed contingents from the New York Police Department, the New York City Department of Correction and other diaspora groups marched alongside Nigerian cultural associations, professional bodies, religious organisations and youth groups.

The vibrant floats, traditional attire and dance troupes drew cheers from spectators lining the streets.

Among the dignitaries in attendance were the Consul General of Nigeria in New York, Abubakar Jidda; UN deputy secretary-general, Amina Mohammed; and the acting Ambassador of Nigeria to the U.S., Samson Itegboje.

Others included Syndoph Endoni, Chargé d’Affaires at Nigeria’s Permanent Mission to the UN; Ngozi Adeleke, wife of the Osun governor; and Nicholas Ella, a former permanent secretary in the ministry of petroleum resources.

Diplomats and city officials also joined the parade from 38th Street down to 24th Street in the heart of Manhattan – areas that were closed to vehicular traffic to accommodate the celebration.

Following the parade, the event transitioned into a full carnival at Madison Square Park, featuring electrifying musical performances and cultural displays, including those by Chinese dance troupes.

Popular Nigerian artiste Bella Shmurda headlined the entertainment, thrilling the youthful crowd and energising the festival atmosphere.

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

“Nigeria remains a great nation, and 65 years of independence is worth celebrating in spite of its challenges,” Mr Jidda said.

“Our people are our strength, and Nigerians have been a blessing to the world, particularly here in the United States, where our human resources continue to excel.

In addition to its cultural and entertainment value, the parade strengthens Nigeria’s image, fosters U.S.-Nigeria ties and promotes the positive contributions of Nigerians in the diaspora.”

Mr Jidda noted that Nigeria remains the only African nation that hosts a full-scale independence day parade and carnival in New York City — a tradition that has positioned Nigerians as a visible and influential diaspora community.

The president of OAN, Olutomi Aregbesola, also underscored Nigeria’s strategic relevance on the global stage.

“This parade is more than a celebration; it is a statement of who we are as Nigerians,” she said.

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

Chairman of the parade committee, Olayinka Dan-Salami, praised the resilience of the Nigerian community and appealed for more sponsorship and support.

Nigerians Celebrate Independence In New York With Parade

Nigerians Celebrate Independence In New York With Parade

“Nigerians have shown year after year that we are committed to lifting this parade higher,” he said.
“With more support and sponsorship from well-meaning Nigerians and friends of Nigeria, we can take this celebration to the next level.”

Other speakers commended the organisers for growing the event into the largest African national celebration of its kind outside the continent, promoting Nigeria’s image and strengthening ties with U.S. communities and institutions.

Attendees enjoyed a variety of Afrobeat music, fashion exhibitions, cultural performances, and Nigerian and African cuisine throughout the day.

Adeola Adesina, a first-time attendee, described the celebration as “a home away from home” and a powerful symbol of unity and pride.
The Nigerian flag was earlier hoisted at Bowling Green, the financial centre of the world.

Economy

Lagos Assembly Strongly Seeks Suspension Of Makoko Demolition

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Lagos Assembly

Lagos Assembly Strongly Seeks Suspension Of Makoko Demolition

Lagos assembly strongly seeks suspension of Makoko demolition. The Lagos state house of assembly has called for the suspension of demolition activities in Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Shogunro waterfront communities following protests by displaced residents and growing public concern over the exercise.

The call was announced on Tuesday by Noheem Adams, chairman of an ad hoc committee set up by Mudashiru Obasa, speaker of the house, during a stakeholders’ meeting held at the Lateef Jakande auditorium.

Adams called on all state ministries to cease demolition work and promised compensation to the affected residents.
“On behalf of the speaker and all 40 members of the house, we are directing that all demolitions in Makoko, Oko-Agbon, and Shogunro communities should stop from today until further notice,” New Telegraph quoted Adams as saying.

He called for transparency by demanding the full list of taskforce members and the criteria used for engagement, insisting that residents must be actively involved in the process.

“That the taskforce that was constituted, we want to see the list of the taskforce because we want the residents to be duly involved and to be carried along. So we want to have the schedule of those task forces and the criteria for those that we are inviting,” Adams added.

Lagos Assembly

Lagos Assembly

“To the residents of Makoko, Oko-Agbon and Shogunro communities, as your representatives, we are giving you all assurances that they will stop demolitions henceforth and there will be compensations for all those whose properties have been demolished.”

Stephen Ogundipe, member of the ad-hoc, said there is need for clear communication, adding that residents targeted for relocation or redevelopment must be informed of the government’s plans in advance.

Babatunde Olajide, special adviser to governor of Lagos on E-GIS and urban renewal, confirmed that $2 million had been earmarked since 2021 to transform Makoko into a modern, internationally compliant water city.

He said enumeration of affected properties is underway and reiterated the administration’s commitment to handling the situation with a human face, prioritizing resident safety and fair compensation.

Yusuf Sagra, baale of Makoko, described the assembly’s decision as a “word of peace,” while Orioye Ogungbure, another leader of the community, praised the “democratic responsiveness” of the government.

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Crime

EFCC Arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for Alleged Naira Mutilation In Viral Video

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EFCC Probes Man

EFCC Arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for Alleged Naira Mutilation In Viral Video

EFCC arrests Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa for alleged naira mutilation in viral video. The Kano Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC,   on Tuesday, February 3, 2026  arrested a Kannywood Star, Samha Inuwa over alleged Naira mutilation.

Inuwa was arrested following a viral video circulated on social media platforms where she was seen conspicuously cleaning mucus from her nose using Naira notes.

EFCC Probes Man

EFCC

Following the release of the viral video, the Commission swung into action by tracing and subsequently arrested her to answer questions.
She is currently being held at the Commission’s detention facility while investigation is ongoing.

The suspect will be charged to court upon conclusion of investigations.

Dele Oyewale
Head,  Media & Publicity
February 3, 2026

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Economy

Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime

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National Bank Of Kenya

Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime

Access Bank gets new board chair Ifeyinwa Osime. Access Bank Plc has appointed Ifeyinwa Osime as chair of the board of directors, following the retirement of Paul Usoro, on January 29.

Access Bank Plc has appointed Ifeyinwa Osime as chair of the board of directors, following the retirement of Paul Usoro, on January 29, according to a statement to the Nigerian Exchange Ltd. on Monday.

Ms Osime, a legal practitioner, joined Access Bank’s board in November 2019 as an independent non-executive director and had chaired its Human Resources and Sustainability Committee and the Governance, Nomination, and Remuneration Committee. This role made her contribute significantly to the bank’s corporate governance, leadership development, and sustainability initiatives.

Additionally, Ms Osime is a director at Ebudo Trust Ltd. and a partner at McPherson Legal Practitioners, where she advises on corporate and commercial matters and contributes to strategic leadership.

She is also a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, the Women Corporate Directors, Nigeria Chapter, and the Chartered Institute of Directors, Nigeria, where she serves on the Executive Committee of the Women Sectoral Group.

National Bank Of Kenya

Access Bank Gets New Board Chair Ifeyinwa Osime

Beyond her professional responsibilities, Ms Osime is committed to mentoring youths and is actively involved in the Autism and Developmental Delays Support Community, reflecting her dedication to inclusion and social impact.
Speaking on her appointment, the group chairman, Aigboje Aig-lmoukhuede, said, “Mrs Osime is a principled and experienced leader with a deep understanding of the Bank’s strategy and values.

“She has demonstrated strong commitment to the bank’s vision and mission, and I am confident that, under her leadership, the bank will continue to advance its strategic objectives of delivering sustainable value to shareholders and other stakeholders in the pursuit of its vision to become the world’s most respected African bank.”

Mr Aig-lmoukhuede also congratulated Mr Usoro on the completion of his tenure and on his exemplary leadership, dedication, and significant contributions to the group, saying he remains a valued member of the Access family.

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