Greenwich council celebrates Nigerian independence day in style as part of Black History Month

HUNDREDS of Nigerians in southeast London gathered to celebrate independence day yesterday at a special event put together by the Royal Borough of Greenwich which were a part of its wider Black History Month festivities.

At the occasion which held at the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, council leader Councillor Danny Thorpe and Mayor Christine May, hosted the Nigerian contingent at an event which involved entertainment, food and speeches against racism. Nigerian cultural icon Ayan De First delighted guests with an African musical display that involved him and his band playing a series of tunes complete with talking drums and trumpets.

In his speech, Councillor Thorpe spoke about the need for people of all races, backgrounds and orientations living in the borough to live together in peace and harmony. He highlighted how he grew up a short distance away from where Stephen Lawrence was killed, saying the horror of that murder had a profound impact on him.

Lucy Isaiah, the chair of Nigerians in Greenwich (NIG), said: "Greenwich is the home to Nigerians in the UK and we are very visible because of our boisterous nature. However, that is just the way we are as we are social and warm beings who work hard and play hard but we also love all our neighbours from other communities."

Organised in conjunction with the Caribbean Social Forum, Black History Month in Greenwich taps into the UK's maritime past because of the borough's unique location, outlining how many sailors from the British Empire came into the country up the Rivers Thames. Back in the 1940s, migrants were invited over from across the Commonwealth to help rebuild Britain after World War Two and many of them settled in Greenwich.

Nigerian dignitaries at yesterday's event included Councillor Olugbenga Babatola, the first-ever mayor of African descent in the Royal Borough of Greenwich and Jumoke Ariyo, the former general secretary of the Central Association of Nigerians in the UK. Along with the council officials and the mayor, they all danced to the melodious tunes dished out by Ayan De First and his band.

Founded to cater for the needs of Nigerians in the area, NIG aims to mobilise the large community in parts of the borough like Woolwich, Plumstead, Abbey Wood and Thamesmead and get them to play a central role in Greenwich. Nigerians are now the largest ethnic minority community in the borough, which has affected local life as shops and restaurants now don a lot of Greenwich.