New York – Preparations are in top gears for Nigerians and friends of Nigeria from around the world for the twin celebration of centenary of amalgamation of Nigeria as a nation and 54^thanniversary of Nigeria’s Independence in New York City.  In 1914, Northern and Southern protectorates were merged together to form one nation, Nigeria. On October 1, 1960, Nigeria obtained her independence from Great Britain.

The three-day celebration will start with a Welcome Party for Nigerian youth and their friends on October 9, 2014. This will be followed by the Cultural Night, which will be held in Brooklyn on October 10, 2014, where the ever vibrant Nigerian youth will demonstrate their appreciation of their cultural heritage, and participate in the 2014 Mr. and Ms. Nigeria Independence NYC contests.

The grand finale—the Nigeria Independence Day Parade and Festival—is scheduled for October 11, 2014, in Manhattan. It will start at 54^th Street on 2^ndAvenue and terminate at the Nigeria House on 44^thStreet. Immediately following the parade will be the festival of food, music, and lots of fun in the Dag Hammarskjold Plaza, where local and international artistes, including the world famous artist and cultural troupes will perform.  This festival has variously been adjudged as the largest gathering of Nigerians outside their homeland and of Continental Africans outside of Africa.

The annual Nigeria Independence Day celebration in New York City, which started in 1991 and has since burgeoned to become the largest of any African immigrant group in the United States, is organized by the Nigeria Independence Day Committee (NIDC), a coalition of Nigerian cultural, religious, professional, business, and civic organizations.

Details of the three-day celebration are as follows:

Venue: FESTAC ULTRA LOUNGE, 263 Hendrix St, Brooklyn, NY 11207

Time: 8:00PM

Free

Venue: ROULETTE THEATRE, 509 Atlantic Avenue, Brooklyn, NY 11217

(Corner of 3rd and Atlantic)

Time: 8PM – 12AM

Fee: Adults – $10 before 9:00 pm and $15 after 9PM; $5 Children (under 18).

Venue: Parade starts at 54^th Street & Second Avenue in Manhattan

Time: 11:00AM

Post Parade Festival: Dag Hammarskjold Plaza on 47^th Street & Second Avenue

(Near United Nations Headquarters)

For more information, please visit –www.oanweb.org, or contact:

General information:  917-675-4455

Vendor information:   917-675-4456

Cultural Night Info:     917-675-4459