Established in 1989 by a group of Nigerian expatriates based in the United States, the Organisation for the Advancement of Nigerians (OAN) was created to cater to the needs of the Nigerian community.
Renowned as the premier Nigerian platform with the largest audience at a single parade across the USA, OAN, along with the Nigerian Independence Day Committee (NIDC), has announced its preparedness for the 2024 edition of the annual parade, set to celebrate African and Nigerian culture.
This announcement was conveyed in a statement released to the media in Nigeria over the weekend.
Olutomi Aregbesola, the President of OAN, remarked in the statement, “Since its inception, OAN has achieved considerable success. Each year, we ensure that the Nigerian Independence Parade remains a vibrant celebration of our culture.”
“As a matter of fact, we have the database of attendees pre-pandemic numbering over 100,000 people”.
She stressed that the parade is usually a spectacle, adding that the activities lined up every year are always so interesting and this accounts for why even foreign nationals want to attend to catch a glimpse of what makes Nigeria special.
Other executive officers of the organization, Obinna Nwoke, Vice President the General Secretary, Yinka Sarayi, the Financial Secretary, Judy Ojo and the Director of Recruitment and Programs Funmi Dike expressed their pleasure at being a part of the organization and also partners in the project plans.
They said “whatever it is we have achieved in the past, we are only going to improve on it. We are in talks with some high profile Nigerian artistes that can be at this year’s parade to entertain the audience. We are going all out. Regardless of what the economic challenges are back home in Nigeria, we are always going to be proud ambassadors of our country. We have a lot to unveil this year and we will do so as we get closer to the parade”.
“This year, we welcome sponsorships and partnerships from African brands that desire to project their products and services to a very large Nigerian community. The executive committee will make further announcements in the days ahead and the world can expect a spectacular parade this year as always,” they said in a joint statement.
Nuff Jamz Entertainment, an entertainment company in the USA has however pledged its support for this year’s edition.
