Umu Igbo group, mayor welcome newcomers

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This article was published 16/12/2024 (442 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Umu Igbo Brandon Association, a group from the southeastern part of Nigeria, welcomed over 80 newcomers to the city during its annual end-of-the-year event on Saturday at Knox United Church.

The third edition of the celebration drew more than 270 attendees, marking its largest gathering to date.

The group’s chair Emmanuel Ahaneku described the event as a growing success.

“The first one was in December 2022, then we had another one last year, and this is the third one. It’s been growing year on year,” he told the Sun on Saturday. “This one, for example, will have over 270 attendees, and this is the highest since our inception.”

Ahaneku explained the event serves as a platform for welcoming newcomers, particularly those attending for the first time.

“The good thing is there’s a chance to also usher them into the association, and assure them of the available support,” he said. “Our vision is to provide support for the well-being and wellness of Igbo members in Brandon. These guys who are here today have been assured of support from the association.”

Ahaneku emphasized that the association provides tangible support to newcomers, “We have provision for support, including financial help, household items and a lot of assistance to enable them to settle in nicely in Brandon.”

He also confirmed that over 80 newcomers were welcomed at the event, noting that many others could not attend but would still receive support.

Brandon Mayor Jeff Fawcett commended the event for its celebration of Brandon’s cultural diversity and its role in integrating newcomers into the community.

“It’s a collection of Brandonites getting together to celebrate their cultures, backgrounds, and shared community,” Fawcett told the Sun. “For newcomers, it’s an opportunity to grow with our city, enhance it, and fit in seamlessly.”

The mayor expressed gratitude for the contributions of newcomers: “We’re all Brandonites, all neighbours, moving forward together.”

The province’s minister of municipal relations, Glen Simard, who attended the event for the first time, praised the family-oriented atmosphere and its message of unity.

“This gathering reflects the richness of Brandon’s cultural diversity. It embodies the spirit of ‘One Manitoba, One People, One Future.’ Events like these allow Brandonites to truly appreciate the multicultural fabric of our city,” Simard told the Sun.

Event coordinator Chioma Ofole said the group helps newcomers through various forms of processes.

“We help them navigate registration processes, tailor resumes to the Canadian job market, and connect with professional groups,” she said. “We also provide welfare support, such as food items and housing referrals, to help them integrate smoothly into the community.”

She acknowledged the challenges of organizing the event, such as securing venues, rehearsals, and funding, but praised the community’s generosity for making it possible.

The event included performances, traditional dances by children, and opportunities for networking among members of the Igbo community and the broader Brandon population.

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