Canadian City Raises Nigerian Flag to Celebrate 66th Independence Anniversary

Winnipeg, Canada, celebrated Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary with a flag-raising ceremony at City Hall, recognising the contributions of Nigerians living in Canada and marking the Nigerian Association of Manitoba’s 40th anniversary. The city of Winnipeg in Manitoba, Canada, has celebrated Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary with a special flag-raising ceremony at City Hall, honouring the country's heritage and the...

• Winnipeg, Canada, celebrated Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary with a flag-raising ceremony at City Hall, recognising the contributions of Nigerians living in Canada and marking the Nigerian Association of Manitoba’s 40th anniversary.
• The city of Winnipeg in Manitoba, Canada, has celebrated Nigeria’s 66th Independence Anniversary with a special flag-raising ceremony at City Hall, honouring the country's heritage and the contributions of Nigerians living abroad.The event, held on Thursday, October 1, 2026, brought together Canadian government officials, Nigerian community leaders, traditional rulers, and members of the Nigerian diaspora.Winnipeg Mayor Scott Gillingham led the ceremony, which was attended by Manitoba Deputy Premier and Minister of Health, Uzoma Asagwara, and the Oloro of Oro Kingdom in Kwara State, Oba Joel Olaniyi Oyatoye Titiloye Olufayo II.The President of the Nigerian Association of Manitoba, Vera Obehi Keyede, also participated in the celebration.Speaking during the ceremony, Mayor Gillingham acknowledged the important role Nigerians continue to play in Winnipeg's development, particularly in healthcare, education, entrepreneurship, public service and the arts.The mayor described the raising of Nigeria's national flag at City Hall as a demonstration of the city's recognition of Nigerian independence, national pride, and the growing influence of the Nigerian community.The Oloro of Oro Kingdom encouraged Nigerians living abroad to preserve their cultural identity and pass their traditions to younger generations.He emphasized that Nigerians could remain connected to their cultural roots while contributing positively to the development of their host communities.The celebration also coincided with the 40th anniversary of the Nigerian Association of Manitoba, an organisation dedicated to promoting cultural heritage, unity and community development.The association's president, Vera Obehi Keyede, highlighted four decades of community service and reaffirmed its commitment to youth mentorship, cultural preservation, and stronger relationships within Manitoba.The anniversary celebration adopted the theme, "Rooted in Heritage and Rising with Purpose."Other participants included Miss North America World Universal, Jeslyn Abraham, Nigerian community elders and members of the diaspora.The ceremony concluded with Nigeria's green-white-green flag flying at Winnipeg City Hall, symbolising national pride, cultural identity and the enduring relationship between Nigerian communities and their Canadian hosts.The celebration highlighted the growing international recognition of Nigerians abroad and their contributions to multicultural societies.
• This story is filed under International News on Glow 99.1 FM.