Lifetime Citizen Portal Access — AI Briefings, Alerts & Unlimited Follows
Lowell proclaims Oct. 4 Nigeria Independence Day, raises Nigerian flag at City Hall
Loading...
Summary
Mayor Daniel P. Rourke read a proclamation declaring Oct. 4, 2025, Nigeria Independence Day in Lowell and joined community leaders and state and city officials for a flag-raising and reception honoring the Nigerian American community.
Mayor Daniel P. Rourke proclaimed Oct. 4, 2025, as Nigeria Independence Day in the City of Lowell and led a flag-raising ceremony at Lowell City Hall on Saturday, joined by state and city officials and members of the Nigerian Association of Merrimack Valley.
The proclamation, read by Rourke, said the city recognizes "the rich cultural heritage, resilience, and contributions of the Nigerian community" and encourages residents to join in celebrating the community's culture, history and contributions. "Therefore, I . . . hereby proclaim October 4 as Nigeria Independence Day in the City of Lowell and encourage all our residents to join in celebrating the culture, history, and contributions of our Nigerian American community given this October 2025," the proclamation said.
Inze Obanello, the ceremony master of ceremonies, opened with a short history of Nigeria and the meaning of the day, noting that Nigeria gained independence from Britain in 1960 and calling the celebration "a day to commemorate the country's progress, acknowledge the diverse cultures, foster unity among its people." Obanello said the Nigerian diaspora in Lowell regularly participates in community events and pointed to the long-standing Nigerian Association of Merrimack Valley as a local organizer.
State Representative Vanna Howard and city councilors joined the mayor onstage. "We are the greatest city in the Commonwealth because of our diversity," Rourke said at the event, thanking the Nigerian community for its contributions to Lowell. Howard said she was honored to attend and praised the city's diverse civic life.
The ceremony included music and prayers. Father Patrick led an opening prayer invoking blessings for Nigeria and for the local Nigerian community. After the flag-raising and the reading of the proclamation the event concluded with an invitation to a reception with refreshments and a reminder that the downtown market day and Merrimack Street activities were taking place nearby.
The ceremony was primarily ceremonial recognition rather than a policy action; no vote or ordinance was recorded. The city read and issued the proclamation at the event.
