Members of Greater Sudbury's Nigerian community gathered for a year-end celebration this past December, to reflect on how much the local community has grown in recent years and how they can work together to make the most of 2020.
The evening was hosted at the Sudbury Events Centre and included Nigerian music, food and culturally inspired entertainment, as well as presentations to youth in attendance. Topics of which surrounded the importance of putting yourself out there and doing your best to be the best in what you love to do.
There was also an awards presentation explained Bukola, assistant chief co-ordinator of the event, for individuals who went above and beyond for their neighbours this past year, such as donating food to the party or helping a friend get their car out of the snow.
The community is in the process of forming an official group to oversee cultural activities and events, said Adejare Muniru Oduwole, central co-ordinator, to benefit landed immigrants as well as the greater population. And this event was a big part of that.
Since arriving in Sudbury around a year ago, Oduwole said he and fellow Nigerian immigrants have gathered together for outings such as a day at the beach, but this is their first major event.
Through this and events moving forward, the group hopes to encourage a neighbourly form of camaraderie among the Nigerian community. Close ties can help ease the transition for newcomers, said Olayinka, assistant chief co-ordinator, by linking them to people with experience living in Canada who can share their wisdom.
"We want people to move into the new year with the mindset of being responsible for one another," said Olayinka.
Members of the community should be confident that if they are in distress, have a problem, or need people to celebrate their successes, there are people here for them, she said.
Having the support of a community is especially important for immigrants from Nigeria who are used to having close relationships and an open-door policy with those around them, said Uche, group secretary.
"You're never alone — you have friends, you have family, you have neighbours. You don't need an invitation to visit anyone, you just go knock on their door," she said.
Knowing you have someone to lean on, someone to talk to at any point in time, can bring a lot of benefits to an individual she said, including reducing the likelihood of experiencing depression.
Like many in the Nigerian community, Oduwole said he chose to move to Sudbury because he heard first-hand that although the weather was less than ideal, it was a great place to raise a family.
He said he had been looking for a relatively peaceful community, where he would have time for himself and the ones that matter most.
Transitioning to life in Sudbury wasn't easy said Olayinka, but she much preferred it to the hustle and bustle of Toronto, where she originally landed upon moving to Canada.
"People around here are hospitable, welcoming. You want to stay where you're appreciated," she said.
Looking forward, the group hopes to establish themselves as a positive, "formidable" force in Greater Sudbury, by doing what they can to contribute to the success of the city and its people, said Olaniyi, assistant co-ordinator. Future goals include lending a helping hand when needed, participating in fundraisers and hosting their own community-focused initiatives to support local causes and organizations.
This could include supporting organizations that assisted in the transition to Canadian life for many Nigerian community members said Oduwole, including the YMCA, Better Beginnings Better Futures, the Salvation Army, Glad Tidings Church, Our Children Our Future and the St. Vincent De Paul Society.
"Sudbury took us," Olayini said. "We're here to appreciate Sudbury and give the best we can."
** The first names of multiple individuals interviewed have been excluded as per their request for privacy.
