Julius OkorieIt was different strokes for Nigerians at home and their compatriots in New York as Nigeria celebrated 64th Independent Tuesday, October 1st 2024.
While Nigerians at home sang lamentation songs over economic hardship and merely managing to mark the celebration, their counterparts in New York had what could pass for a carnival as they danced across the streets in various attire with the Nigerian flag handy either being carried along or attached to their podium.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelA video of the carnival posted by Umar Hamzat also show teeming Nigerian youths showcasing impressive dance steps to mark the occasion as they dished out a number of songs by Nigerian artists and generally enjoyed themselves with no sign of worry on their faces.
Even the raised platform, on which some of them were standing while grooving, was specially decorated with the Green-white-Green colour of Nigeria flag.
Their Celebration did not go unnoticed by some of their compatriots at home as they bared their minds on the great divide of what looks like between ‘Egypt and the Promise land.
Yxm! (Yomi) @Babyboiyoms said “Dem dey celebrate for abroad, we dey protest for 9ja. This life no balance.”
January 27 🤗❤️@mpiredivine said “Funny how it’s so much easier to love Nigeria from a very far distance. Nigerians in Nigeria are surely not feeling it like that. 👀🙄😩🤦🏾♂️😭.”
Daniel Regha @DanielRegha in his own reaction said “Nigerians living abroad obviously can’t relate with the pains & struggles of those living in Nigeria, otherwise they won’t be so happy celebrating the Independence Day like it’s a happy occasion. Someone needs to remind ’em the reality of things, asides hunger, insecurity”
READ ALSO:Nigeria At 64: Our Economy Undergoing Reforms To Serve Us Better – Tinubu
Oga Mayor PCFR @OgaMayorr gave legion of reasons why the Nigerian New Yorkers are grooving that much, hear him “They don’t have Fulani terrorist herders in their backyard They don’t have Tinubu as president They don’t have Akpabio as senate president They don’t have Matawalle in the defense They don’t have Boko Haram They are not hungry as their minimum wage can take them home
They don’t have Yakubu as the electoral commissions chief in the November elections..They are in a truly independent country.
They don’t need survival certificate.”
@invaluablemoi ♥️ Ayékòótó 🦜@Invaluablemoi took it personally vowing never to do such, describing them as jobless people.
“I can never. What is making us happy? People are suffering at home and most of the money we are making, we are sending it home to keep families and strangers afloat so that they won’t drown in lack. Hike in prices, low per capita income, No basic amenities. Food clothing and shelter is now a luxury. Nigeria got Independence more than 60 years ago. Yet we are here in another man’s land facing racism yet still striving to be better than them in triple folds so that we can make it in our different careers. So what is making us happy? What are we celebrating? 🤷♀️🙄🙄 jobless people.”
While the different strokes continues, the president during his Independent broadcast said he understands the pains of Nigerians and that the challenges are being addressed, adding “Our economy is undergoing reforms to serve us better.”
Julius Okorie is Chief Sports and Entertainment Correspondent for Prime Business Africa. He began his journalism career with the Champion Newspaper and Sporting Champion and later moved on to Daily Independent and the Nation Newspapers. Okorie joined Prime Business Africa in 2024 bringing on board 20 years of experience in writing investigative news on Sports and Entertainment. His well researched and highly informative articles on Sports Business and general entertainment are followed by a wide range of audience.
