- Twelve African-Americans have changed their names to that of Nigerians

- The 12 traced their ancestry to West Africa

- On Nigeria's Independence Day, the African-Americans adopted Igbo names at a traditional christening ceremony held in Abuja

Twelve African-Americans, exploring their ancestry in West Africa, have been given native Nigerian names in commemoration of the four centuries of the first Africans slaves to arrive in Virginia, United States.

News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the Americans were christened local Igbo names at a ceremony on Nigeria’s 59th Independence Day, Tuesday, October 1. The event was organised by the Global Institute of Diversity and Change and the Igbo Community in Abuja.

The naming rite was conducted by a traditional chief from the southeast amidst cheers and celebrations of a cultural festivity as the African-Americans identified with their roots.

Some of the names for the Americans are Okechukwu, Ifunnaya, Adaeze, Ijeoma, Chukwuma and Obinna. Others include Ikechukwu, Ugochukwu, Obioma, Onyemaechi, Chinwe and Ozioma.

Dr Yewande Austin, President of Global Institute of Diversity and Change and an African-American herself, said the christening was an indication that African-Americans were proud of Africa as their historical ancestry home.

“This year marks the 400 years that the first Africans from the transatlantic slave trade arrived Virginia, and this event is to ignite our sense of connection with Africa.

“It is very important to know that Africans worked tirelessly in building the United States, and we are very proud of that.

“Hundreds of African-Americans see Virginia as their home, and there is an Igbo village in Virginia today,” she said.

Prof Chinwe Obaji, a former minister of educationand host of the naming ceremony, said the historic slavery migration was an indication that Africans paid huge prices in the development of America.

She noted that the christening would make recipients of the names see Nigeria as their home and contribute towards its advancement.

“United States and Nigeria have come a long way in working together, and this naming occasion is very significant because these Americans will see themselves as Nigerians.

“As you can see, they are proud to identify with their ancestry home and this will inspire them to contribute towards its good.”

Obaji noted that recipients of the names would proceed to Obosi in the southeast to receive traditional tittles from the traditional ruler during the month.

Dr Ogbonna Onoh, minister of science and technology, who chaired the occasion, congratulated the recipients of the new names and expressed appreciation to the organisers of the event.

He noted that the event was significant in the history of the United States and Nigeria, and would foster bilateral relations between the two countries and promote harmony between their citizens.

It was reported that in August 1619, an English ship landed on the shores of Virginia with some 20 African captives aboard.

Their arrival 400 years ago began the history of slavery in English-speaking America and the date is being commemorated as the beginning of the age of slavery in North America.

https://www.legit.ng/1262473-12-african-americans-adopt-igbo-names-celebrate-400-years-transatlantic-slavery.html

That's amazing . I was expecting a name like Olatunde, Kazeem, Funke but Pachukwuman colonized the 12 apostles

Hopefully we gonna have Nigerian American fully recognised in the state registry

Mutemenot:
That's amazing . I was expecting a name like Olatunde, Kazeem, Funke but Pachukwuman colonized the 12 apostles

Don't spoil this wonderful thread with tribalism.

It's too early pls.


@topic, wonderful!

We embrace them with open hands and hearts

Mutemenot:
That's amazing . I was expecting a name like Olatunde, Kazeem, Funke but Pachukwuman colonized the 12 apostles

Hopefully we gonna have Nigerian American fully recognised in the state registry

This table you are shaking is filled with cone heads.

@ the topic, my name is there sha, so am happee