Nigerians in the United States of America who gathered for the 63rd Independence Day Anniversary carnival on Saturday in New York observed a minute’s silence in honour of late Nigerian Afrobeat artiste, Illerioluwa Aloba, better known as Mohbad.
Mohbad had been slated to perform at the carnival on his first visit to the US.
The Organisation for the Advancement of Nigerians, organisers of the carnival, greatly mourned the death of the artist.
The Consul General of Nigeria in New York, Ambassador Lot Egopija, in his address at the carnival, prayed to God to grant Mohbad’s soul eternal rest.
Egopija welcomed friends and well-wishers of the country who had come to celebrate with Nigerians.
He expressed the hope that the carnival would motivate them to visit Nigeria.
He said the Consulate General of Nigeria in New York had earlier held its first-ever flag-raising at the Bowling Green Arena as part of activities for the anniversary.
Egopija said it was a great honour to see the Nigerian flag hoisted at the financial centre of the world.
He said: “Today, we are gathered here after a parade that is probably the largest gathering of Nigerians in Diaspora.
“This event is the initiative of OAN and the Consulate is always delighted to partner with them.
“As we celebrate Nigeria’s 63rd Independence anniversary, we are glad that a number of ethnic nationalities are here to promote their rich and unique cultures in different ways.”
According to Egopija, there was an array of Nigerian music by several artists and the best of Nigerian cuisine by vendors.
He said: “At the request of the organisers, the Consulate Spouses have a food exhibition tagged: ‘Taste of Nigeria.’”
In his remarks, the Permanent Representative of Nigeria to the United Nations, Ambassador Tijjani Muhammad-Bande, aligned his remarks with that of the Consul General.
Muhammad-Bande thanked Nigerians for coming out to attend the parade and carnival.
NAN reports that the event started with a parade, which began at 2nd Avenue and East 54th Street and proceeded to East 44th, and ended at Dag Hammarskjold Park, where the carnival was held.
