(Black PR Wire) Mayor Muriel Bowser has officially proclaimed Tuesday, October 1, 2024, as “Nigerian American Day” in the District of Columbia, recognizing the vibrant cultural heritage and significant contributions of the Nigerian American community to Washington, D.C., and the United States.

In celebration of this historic day, the Nigerian Center will host a press conference at noon on October 1, 2024, at 1231 Marion Barry Avenue, SE Washington, DC, 20020. The event will spotlight the importance of Nigerian American Day and highlight the Center's critical initiatives, including legal aid services, small business micro-lending, credit-building programs, tax preparation, homeownership support, cultural programming, and policy advocacy efforts.

Key speakers will include Kimberley Bassett, Secretary of the District of Columbia, and Ambassador Rabiu Lawal, Chargé d'Affaires of the Nigerian Embassy in Washington, D.C. The press conference will also feature partners such as the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), African Ancestry, the Mayor’s Office of African Affairs, Events DC, and other notable Nigerian American community organizations.

Gbenga Ogunjimi, Executive Director of the Nigerian Center, remarked, “As we celebrate both Nigeria’s independence and Nigerian American Day, we reflect on the Center’s vital role within our community. A resource hub like the Nigerian Center didn’t exist just a few years ago. Today, we are leading efforts in immigration justice, financial empowerment, homeownership, and cultural initiatives, all while reshaping the narrative of Nigerian Americans and opening doors for future generations.”

Media should register at the Nigerian Center website.

About Nigerian Center

The Nigerian Center is the first immigrant and cultural center for the Nigerian diaspora in the U.S. Located in the nation's capital, it was established to support newly arrived immigrants with culturally sensitive transition and self-sufficiency opportunities. While we are called the Nigerian Center, we are happy to serve all immigrant communities.