DEAR MEMBERS—
Although I already shared my appreciation to members at our last monthly meeting on September 15th, I want to again extend my thanks, to our members and well-wishers who worked so hard to make the 24th/57th event a great success. Based on the feedbacks that we gathered at the meeting and from some of our friends, the event was a success. However, we still have a few internal issues to discuss with the Polish American Community Center regarding our future use of their facility. In the meantime, this message is mainly covering the upcoming Festival of Nations (FON) Celebration on Sunday, the 29th of October 2017:
The celebration starts from 9AM until 5PM at the Empire State Plaza Convention Center, Albany. Please call me (518-669-4574) for your admissions tickets. If you did not already receive your 10 FON Raffles tickets, please call me immediately and I will bring them to you. From those who already got those Raffle tickets, please return the stubs and money to me so that I can submit them for drawing, thanks. We have to work together to succeed on this effort.
As a long-time Member Nation of the FON, our obligation is to play our own part by fulfilling all expected functions in all four categories of the event which include:
- dance performance;
- food preparation and sales;
- Arts and Crafts Table displays;
- and the Festival Queen participation.
Incidentally, I want to congratulate our ANCD 2017 Festival Queen, Miss Tola Osipitan. Please see her on my page on the Facebook or on this Newsletter or FON Website.
Many thanks also go to Mrs. B. Anameze for agreeing to support the girls to dance at the Festival the day after their big birthday party on the 28th.
Other expected functions include Parade of Nations starting at 11AM and having two ANCD members at the Ticket Entrance for two hours starting 11AM. (Please verify the schedule on the Festival Program Booklet).
Finally, please be sure to call me if you have any questions. We may still need more people to help at the food table. If you have any material for the Arts and Crafts Table, please let me know.
Come one, come out all!! Come early and enjoy the event! Be sure to dress in traditional attire to be on PARADE OF NATIONS!
I have said this before and I can repeat myself: Our participation is to show that we are proud Nigerians who are alive and well. We want to help motivate our other brothers and sisters who look to us for guidance and moral support as well. Make sure you also invite your friends to this event.
Come in early and let us start in time—9:30AM.
Dr. Bassey E. Essien
ANCD President