American State of Minnesota proclaims Igbo Day in celebration of Nigeria’s Igbo people
August 13th has been designated as Igbo Day in Minnesota by Governor Tim Walz following an official proclamation by the Governor and the Minnesota Secretary of State, Steve Simon.
Evidence of the proclamation has been archived in the State of Minnesota portal for public referencing.
Prior to the announcement, August 13 was commemorated in Minnesota as IgboFest, a cultural festival that originated from Southeast Nigeria.
The ceremony attracts thousands of spectators from around the world annually, and attendees are always required to put on the traditional Igbo attire.
The festival is organised and hosted annually by the Umunne Cultural Association of Minnesota – nonprofit group in Minnesota – in August at North Hennepin Community College in Brooklyn Park.
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According to the organisers, there are also other Igbo organisations in the State, for example the Igbo Women League of Minnesota, a non-profit organization in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota.
The organisation aims to bring together, identify, educate, and promote the socio-cultural and economic development of Igbo women and their families who live in Minnesota while also improving the lives of women and children in Nigeria.
The organisers of IgboFest have dedicated their group to sharing Nigeria’s rich cultural legacy with the local population in Minnesota.
The association is a group of Nigerians who speak Igbo and reside in Minnesota. Its members are drawn together by a common interest in promoting and preserving the rich Igbo culture.
According to their website, the “Umunne Cultural Association strives to accomplish its mission through organized cultural events, including IgboFest; community based educational programs; member volunteer activities; and by establishing relationships with other Minnesota based organizations that share in the cultural diversity mission of the state of Minnesota.”
“They also work to educate Igbo students to build successful careers and professions so that they may become substantial members and positively contribute to the communities in which they live.”
SOURCE: TheAfricanDream.net
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Abeeb Lekan Sodiq is a Managing Editor & Writer at theafricandream.net. He is as well a Graphics Designer and also known as Arakunrin Lekan.
