This article is from page 29 of the 2007-10-02 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 29 JPG
MEMBERS of Clare’s large Nige- rian community gathered in Ennis over the weekend to celebrate Niger- 1a’s day of independence.
A parade around the town and a full programme of song and dance reflecting the African country’s rich cultural heritage and history were held to mark 47 years of Nigerian independence.
The events were organised by the
Association of Nigerian Community in Clare and supported by the recent- ly formed Clare Immigrant Support Service (CISC).
Formerly the Irish Refugee Coun- cil, the CISC is steered by vari- ous agencies in Clare who have an interest and duty to support services for the immigrant community to facilitate and support integration in the area.
Ennis has one of the largest Nige- rian communities in Ireland, with an
estimated 600 ex-pats living around the area.
JSF-VU CMON KM or Dum O SoM EOUr DOME DOOE bassador to Ireland, Her Excellency Mandu Ekpo Ekong-Omaghomi, visited Ennis and highlighted the role played by Nigerians living in the town. She reserved particular praise for Taiwo Matthew, who in 2005 made history when he was elected to Ennis Town Council.
At the time, Mrs Ekong-Omaghomi said that the example of Ennis, as a
model of cultural integration, should be copied by other towns around the country.
Located on the west coast of Af- rica, Nigeria has a population of more than 140 million people, which includes 250 different ethnic groups.
In 1992 it began the transition to c1- vilian government folowing 23 years under a military regime. The transi- tion has not been an easy one, with ethnic rivalries and sectarian con- flicts continuing to flare.