Fun, fashion and afrobeats as Nigerian community throws a party
Chief Abel Ayodeji, Nigerian ambassador to Ireland Ijeoma Chinonyerem Arimanwa Obiezu, Jude Hughes and Hakeem Onabote at the beginning of the Nigerian carnival parade in Carlow town last Friday Photo: Arnie McEvoy
DJ JAY had an easy job last Friday afternoon, 3 July, with so many wonderful afrobeats songs to play for the Nigerian music and fashion event. The event was held under the shade of The Exchange in Carlow town and then moved outdoors for a carnival parade through the streets.
Everyone was dressed to impress, not least the Nigerian ambassador to Ireland, Ijeoma Chinonyerem Arimanwa Obiezu, who made a speech on the day. She told the crowd that the day was “a vibrant celebration of Nigerian music, culture and fashion”.
“This festival is much more than an event – it is a celebration of creativity, resilience and the global influence of Nigeria. Our music, particularly afrobeats, has become a universal language that connects people across continents, while Nigerian fashion continues to inspire designers and artists around the world,” she said.
“Through music, fashion, food and the arts, we proudly share our heritage, spread our friendships and promote mutual understanding between Nigeria, Ireland and the world in its entirety.”
The ambassador commended the organisers for their “tremendous effort” in putting the event together. She said that more than 100 Nigerian families now call Carlow home and said their “contribution continues to enrich Irish society socially, culturally and economically”.
Irish activist and tailor Jude Hughes, otherwise known as Omobowale, was another honoured guest and arrived dressed in a beautiful purple gown. Omobowale explained his clothes had been made for him when he visited Nigeria for the first time a month ago.
Omobowale’s mother was from Milltown, Co Carlow, he said. He was born in St Patrick’s Mother and Baby Home in 1941 and grew up in institutions after his mother emigrated to England. He recently travelled back to visit his family’s ancestral graves.
In the 1980s, he became a founding member of one of the first anti-racism groups in Ireland and joined the Association of Mixed-Race Irish during the commission of investigation into mother and baby homes after 2015. He was joined by co-campaigners Tina Dooley and Maureen Sullivan.
Gladys Orono Atsenokhai, who introduced herself as MC Shakara (meaning ‘show-off’) got the crowd moving and laughing with her amusing interludes.
Children got up to nervously sing and dance on stage, and Garda Superintendent Anthony Farrell, despite being on his holidays, got up to join them for one of the songs.
Minister of state Jennifer Murnane and local councillor Adrienne Wallace also joined in the fun, which went on late into the afternoon with a fashion show and refreshments.
