Nigerians Turn New York Green & White For Independence @65 Parade
By ANITA KNIGHT
NEW York City pulsed with colour, music, and patriotism on Saturday as thousands of Nigerians and friends of Nigeria celebrated the 2025 Nigeria Independence Day Parade and Carnival, marking the nation’s 65th anniversary.
The annual event — organised by the Organisation for the Advancement of Nigerians (OAN) in partnership with the Nigerian Consulate in New York — took over Madison Avenue from East 38th to 24th Street, halting traffic in midtown Manhattan.
Marchers included uniformed contingents from the New York Police Department, cultural groups, youth organisations, and professional bodies, all decked in vibrant traditional attire and waving green-white-green flags.
Dignitaries present included UN Deputy Secretary-General Amina Mohammed, Ambassador Abubakar Jidda, and Acting Ambassador Samson Itegboje, among others.
Following the parade, celebrations continued at Madison Square Park with electrifying performances, including headliner Bella Shmurda, alongside other cultural troupes and dance groups.
Ambassador Jidda praised Nigerians in the diaspora for sustaining the tradition since 1991, calling it a “symbol of unity and resilience.” He noted that Nigeria remains the only African nation with a full-scale Independence parade in New York, showcasing its people’s global influence.
OAN President Olutomi Aregbesola and Parade Chair Olayinka Dan-Salami commended the community’s commitment and called for more support to expand the event.
For many attendees, the carnival was not just a celebration — but a reaffirmation of Nigerian pride, culture, and unity abroad.
