Nigerian Students Association Annual Independence Day Gala

Every year, NSA holds a campus-wide Independence Day Gala, an event celebrating Nigerian culture in America and back home. Attended by many throughout the Harvard community, the event has become known for its diverse guests, drawing in crowds from across the Boston area and the nation. The event recognizes the astounding achievement of a nation gaining independence from colonial rule; Nigeria's 56th Anniversary presents a unique opportunity for our individual and collective reflection on our challenges, risks and opportunities as a nation. Our objectives for the evening include reflecting on our collective history and charting a new course for our future, through an event highlighting culture, while effectively addressing the many challenges the country still faces, ranging from education equality to government corruption. We hope our guests from across Harvard's campus will walk away with a better understanding of Nigerian culture as well as a heightened concern for the political, social and cultural aspects of the nation that need our concentrated attention. Most importantly, this event provides a unique opportunity for the celebration of the successes of young and youthful Nigerians, recognizing our individual and collective achievements in business, the arts, literature, entertainment, media and ethnic communities. In addition to being a celebration of 56 years of freedom, we would like the event itself to contribute to the development of potential future leaders of Nigeria. As always, in an effort to contribute to the education of the entire Harvard community, NSA plans to incorporate education into each of our events and service initiatives, both stateside and abroad.