Eric Adams, the mayor of New York City, has joined Nigerians from all walks of life in celebrating the 62nd anniversary of their country’s independence.
In his remarks at the Independence Day Carnival on Saturday night, Adams praised Nigerians for their tenacity and distinctive social and cultural life.
The mayor recalled, with memories, his visit to Africa but that his experience in Lagos State stood out.
Adams said, “I remember landing in Lagos. I remember landing on a Monday and not sleeping again until Sunday.
“No one throws a party like Lagos in Nigeria. No one knows how to celebrate life, like Nigeria.
“And right here in New York, your rich culture and contribution to the city is unbelievable.”
He added, “I reached out to the youth league of this organisation and others, you were 100 per cent saying we are going to be with our brother, our fellow African so that he can become the mayor of the city of New York.
“So don’t let anyone deny you of the history. I’m very clear. Although I live in America. I’m African because I will always be African.
The mayor also recalled the pain of the slave trade and declared that Africans built America to become the greatest country on earth.
“America owes Africa so much. America is what it’s because of the people of Africa that were ripped from their soil years ago to come here.
“So, all those years we have been separated, we’re here today to say we’ll be united forever and never ripped apart from each other again.”
Discussion about this post