Atlanta’s Nigerian community is set to celebrate the country’s national day this weekend by honoring “essential” workers who helped combat COVID-19 locally along with the city’s civil rights heroes.
The Consulate General of Nigeria has organized an all-day slate of activities Saturday that will culminate in an invitation-only gala dinner at the Grand Hyatt in Buckhead where some will receive Inspiration Awards for inspiring their industries and communities.
The festivities start with an “appreciation walk” led by Nigerian drummers and dancers starting at Atlanta City Hall at 8:30 a.m. and concluding at Grady Hospital, where a special recognition will be offered to its health care workers.
The focus on health care is fitting, given many members of the Nigerian diaspora in the Southeast U.S. work as doctors or nurses.
On the following day, Sunday Oct. 2, a Nigerian culture and business fair with food, handicrafts and more will be held from 12 to 6 p.m. at the Millennium Gate Museum at Atlantic Station.
Consul General Amina Smaila has helped drive the series of events marking the 62nd anniversary of Nigeria’s independence from British rule. The longtime diplomat is back in Atlanta this week after accompanying President Muhammadu Buhari at the the United Nations General Assembly last week. Ambassador Smaila served at the U.N. for a total of nine years, including three in Geneva before taking up her post in Atlanta in 2021.
Ms. Smaila has sought to boost activity and visibility of the Nigerian consulate in Atlanta, recently moving to a new official residence, inviting a prominent artist for an exhibition at her home, speaking at the Wesleyan College commencement ceremony and joining Global Atlanta for a Consular Conversations luncheon discussion, among many other engagements. She also helped bring the Headies, a prominent awards show recognizing the best of African hiphop, to Atlanta for its first ex-Nigeria event earlier this month.
Learn more about the appreciation walk and business fair and RSVP here.
Dignitaries from Nigeria and elected officials from the 17 states covered by the Nigerian consulate have been invited to participate.
Learn more: New Nigerian Consul General Vows Larger Local Profile for Africa’s Largest Economy
*Correction: An earlier version of the article stated incorrectly that the ceremonies would honor civil rights heroes as well as frontline health workers.
View the Nigerian consulate’s news release below:
Nigerian Independence
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