Ambassador Abam and Ndukuba crown Miss Onyeka winner of the beauty pageant
The National Union of Nigerian Association in Italy, NUNAI, has put up a grand show to sign off the year 2023. The event dubbed Award Night, was also the occasion to “send forth” the outgoing Nigerian envoy to Italy his Excellency Ambassador Omini Abam. The envoy graced the occasion with his presence in the company of diplomats from the Embassy of Nigeria. Italians too were there too to lend their support to the event.

It was indeed a grand event also featuring beauty pageant and fashion show involving young women and men from across the community. Nigerians and Italians who have contributed to the upliftment of the community received awards during the gala night. Nigerian culture was on full display on the night. Fashion, food, music and dance were some of the highlights at the event. Speeches and live performances by such artiste as MC Goody punctuated the well attended event. A group known as the Noble Women, performed a cultural dance.

Ambassador Abam receives award for working for the betterment of his compatriots in Italy
According the President of the Nigerian Community Mr Rowland Ndukuba, the event was organised to give honour to whom it is due. Ambassador Abam was in the thick of matter on the night, receiving an award from NUNAI for his support for the community through his tour of Italy. He was particularly praised for helping to resolve the crisis in NUNAI. He also go an award from the Noble Women as well as the Nigerian Community Ferrara.

Ambassador Abam overwhelmed declared, “words fail me,” to express his gratitude to Nigerians in the country, stressing that his coming to the country opened his eyes to strides compatriots are making to change perspective about Nigerians. Under his watch, the Embassy in collaboration with the Nigeria Immigration Service made 13 interventions as well as 34 internal ones to provide consular succour to Nigerians in the country. Ambassador Abam was particularly upbeat telling the gathering that 13,000 backlog of passport requests were cleared in the last four months.

The well attended event also had Italians in attendance
Miss Onyeka and Master Clinton won the ladies and men pageant respectively. The Nigerian Community has come a long way. Cohesive and well organised, NUNAI has over 30 affiliates communities across Italy. Mr Rowland Ndukuba is still in his first term as the leader of the community.
Master Clinton wins the men pageant