A cultural library to promote Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage and arts in the United States has opened at the Nigeria House in New York, USA.
The Consul-General of Nigeria in New York, Lot Egopija, made this known on the sidelines of the 12th New York City Multicultural Festival.
The annual festival is organised annually by African Chorus Ensemble, founded by a US-based Nigerian art and culture proprietress, Joyce Adewumi, who is also the library’s Cultural Ambassador.
Egopija said the library was opened for people to be better informed about aspects of Nigeria’s culture such as music, dress, food, artifacts, respect and ability to co-exist in spite of the country’s multi-ethnic nature.
“The library is opened for Nigerians and other interested nationals; we want the second and third generations of American-Nigerians to come over and use the cultural artifacts in the library.
“We want them to know the historical background of Nigeria for them to appreciate their country,’’ Egopija told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
The envoy thanked the festival organisers for allowing groups from different countries and organisations to showcase their culture.
According to him, understanding culture is a basis for peaceful and harmonious existence in a given area, society and country.
Egopija said the festival was one of the tools for reducing crimes in the New York City, noting that the presence of police and their band at the festival was highly commendable.