Clara Igwala Day In Houston, Texas: Re-Narrating Nigerians History In the Diaspora

The socio-economic contributions of Nigerians resident in the United States to the country’s growth is quite invaluable. Acknowledging the enormous contributions of Nigerians to the US economy, Sylvester Turner, the Mayor of Houston Texas stated that Nigeria Immigrants in the United States are dynamic, the most vibrant and the most educated. Their contributions to the socio-economic development of the country can never be overstretched as they have been able to deploy their human and material resources to the development of the country.

Though accepting the tireless efforts some Nigerians abroad to repeal the good image of the country, the Chairman of Nigeria in Diaspora Commission, Mrs Dabiri Erewa equally admitted that Nigerians unarguably were the most educated immigrants in the United States and we’re hardworking, committed, determined and very successful in their careers and professions which they have erected in order to defend their people’s image.

With indignant frowns and stern tones, they strut from one global stage to the other like superintendents, dismantling stereotypes and whitewashing sepulchers.

This passion probably sprouts from a desire to blend into their host communities, to not to be perceived as savages from some nihilistic jungle.

It is in conformity with this that the Clara Igwala Day was born.

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The Cultural Event is attributed to Clara Igwala because her numerous humanitarian achievements which include:

• Providing aid and shelter to prostitutes on Bissonet.
• Sponsoring a family program for Nigerian families where she connect professionals that would wish to give back to a migrant family by paying their bills for the month.
• Rendered assistance after hurricane Harvey where she created a rescue system from home and connected several people who were trapped in their homes to a person with boat to rescue them.
• She curated an event called Taste of Pan Africa, a vendor event where different backgrounds sell their food and introduce it to the Diaspora.
• Raising money money for scholarships for Nigerian students in Houston by organizing a Nigerian Day, which equally serves as an event to showcase Nigerian Culture, Dance and Song to citizens of Houston.

It was in recognition to these numerous achievements that the Mayor of Houston, Texas, Mr Sylvester Turner attended the previous event where he proclaim the Day in her name.

The Cultural Event which is usually celebrated on 29 September of every year is designed to enable Nigerian Community to rebrand their image by contributing to the development of Houston, in the United States of America.

Conversing with Ekohotblog, the convener of the Nigeria Day in Houston, Ms Clara Igwala disclosed that the Day is primarily about collaborations, celebration of Nigeria independence but most essentially is about patriotism and altruism.

The Day ie aimed at projecting the story of a group of the most successful immigrant community which must be narrated with pride.

She maintained that the contributions of the Nigerian Community to the socio-economic and political space of the United States could not be overstretched.

The forth-coming Clara Igwala Day is thus another avenue that would be availed to Nigerian Community in Houston further project Nigerians’ image abroad by contributing enormously that affect positively the lives of their host Community, especially in this perilous era of the COVID-19 pandemic which is ravaging the entire world.

Indeed, it will not be right to say that with Clara Igwala Cultural Event, Nigerians abroad now have a historian that will unfold their trials and triumphs in the Diaspora.