Irvington Mayor Wayne Smith welcomed a contingent of Nigerian churches to Town Hall on Sunday, October 1, 2006 for a spiritual celebration of the nation’s 46 th anniversary of independence.

 

Breaking from British colonialism, Nigeria was established as a republic on October 4, 1960.

 

The service was organized by Shepherd Bolaji G. Johnson, pastor of the Celestial Church of Christ/Revivalist Parish in Irvington, and assistant general secretary of the Nigerian Faith-Based Organization. The organization is composed of branches of the Celestial Church of Christ throughout the tri-state metropolitan area. Johnson gave the mayor traditional African garb, which he wore at the ceremony. Rev. Dr. Eman Adewumi, president of NFBCO, presented the mayor with the “Appreciation Award of Excellence in Communities Administration.”

 

“It is my privilege to pay tribute to the history and culture of the nation of Nigeria ,” Smith told the overflow crowd. “This administration has developed a productive relationship with the Nigerian people, and we are working toward common goals.”

 

“We decided to hold this cherished event in Irvington for the first time because the mayor has done a good job of outreach with the Nigerian community,” Johnson said.

 

In July, the township partnered with the Celestial Church/Revivalist Parish to distribute clothing, food and household items collected from the international humanitarian relief organizations, Feed the Children and World Vision.

 

In September, the church distributed back-to-school supplies, held a blood drive and, in conjunction with the Irvington Police Department, offered fingerprinting ID services for children.

 

With 127.1 million people, Nigeria is Africa’s most populous country. The nation was under military leadership for several years following independence but now holds democratic elections.

 

 

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