A recent ceremony at the Nigeria House in New York marked a significant moment for 11 Americans who discovered their Nigerian heritage through ancestry DNA testing at the Consulate of Nigeria.
The emotional ‘African Ancestry Reveal’ event underscored the deep historical ties between Nigeria and the African diaspora, according to a statement from the Consulate’s information desk signed by Mr. Tiamiyu Arobani.
Among those who traced their roots to Nigeria are Maleeka Harris, Shatara Corbett, Abel Watson, Darryl Rattray, Antonia Coleman-Brown, Nicole Williams, Pablo Blanco, Estena Turner, William Conley, Keith Howard, and Gina Paige.
Also, many others learned of their ancestry linked to eight African countries, including Cameroon, The Gambia, Senegal, Ghana, and Niger Republic.
Ambassador Abubakar Jidda, the Consul-General of Nigeria in New York, highlighted that discovering Nigerian ancestry not only helps bridge cultural divides but also celebrates the enduring connections between Nigeria and the global African community.
“As you may be aware, Nigeria, with its rich tapestry of cultures and history, stands as a leader within the African continent. And we have continued to celebrate this shared heritage,” Jidda said.
The Nigerian envoy said the event was significant as it brought to light the rich, shared history between Nigeria and its diaspora, fostering a renewed sense of identity and belonging.
“So, Nigeria welcomes you. The Consulate offers various educational and cultural opportunities aimed at promoting cultural exchanges.
“We encourage you also to explore these opportunities and deepen your knowledge and understanding of Nigeria and African cultures.
The Consul-General commended the curiosity and dedication of all the participants in their journeys to uncover their African heritage.
Unveiling the ancestry DNA test results, Co-founder and President of AfricanAncestry.com, Dr Gina Paige, said hosting the ‘Ancestry Reveal’ event at the Nigerian Consulate had deepened the experience for all participants, especially those whose roots traced to Nigeria.
