Former Mayor of Massachusetts celebrates Igbo Day in US

The former mayor of Massachusetts, Kim Driscoll, has celebrated the Igbo community in the city for their positive impact in schools, businesses, as well as in their churches.

Driscoll celebrated the Igbo community in the state, acknowledging their positive impact in an ‘X’ post that followed images and short videos of the celebration.

She wrote on her page, “The Igbo community in Massachusetts brings so much life and joy to our schools, churches, businesses, and more! Had a blast at the Igbo Day Festival in Boston today — thanks for inviting me to be a part of the celebration!”

The Igbo Day Festival was founded in 1992; it is a free annual event that brings various Nigerian Igbo communities together to celebrate their culture and heritage.

The event usually features cultural dances, traditional music, lots of authentic Nigerian foods, beautiful traditional attire, traditional masquerades, and more.

Speaking to journalists during the 2023 edition, the cultural ambassador, Peter Egbudom, said with the dwindling economy, Nigeria was in dire need of legitimate foreign investment through tourism, noting that the country’s rich cultural heritage can be harnessed to attract Foreign Direct Investment.

He said, “It is no longer news that Nigeria is facing the biggest economic challenges arising from diminishing internal revenues and inadequate foreign investments. With this frightening scenario, Nigeria desperately needs legitimate foreign investment through tourism potential.

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“Our diverse cultural heritage has been left untapped for so many years. This rich cultural heritage can be harnessed to bring investment to Nigeria.

“Foreigners are usually excited about our cultural heritage, dressing, and food. Our rich cultural heritage is an area where the federal, state, and local governments and private entities can come in and earn foreign revenues through tourism,” he concluded.

The celebration includes a competition centred around cultural dances and attire. The communities and organisations participating in the competition are expected to display authentic Igbo traditional attire and dance to traditional Igbo music.