Canadian Prime Minister, Olu Of Warri Grace ‘Flavour Of Nigeria Food Festival’
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In a celebration of cultural reawakening, Nigerian residents in Brampton, Ontario, Canada, gathered for the Crossroads of Culture Festival. The event welcomed distinguished guests, including Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the Olu of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III, along with other notable personalities.
The two-day festival featured the prestigious Headlamp Awards, the Flavours of Nigeria Festival, and a focus on celebrating culinary diplomacy and deepening cultural relations between Nigeria and Canada.
Prime Minister Trudeau, who was warmly received by Chuks Anyaduba and Akin Oduntan, attended the event alongside Members of Parliament Arielle Kayabaga (London West) and Shafqat Ali (Brampton Centre), Minister of Diversity, Inclusion and Persons with Disabilities Kamal Khera, and Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown. Nollywood actors Uzee Usman and Titi Kuti, celebrity journalist Adeniyi Ifetayo, and Ambassador Martins Acha also graced the occasion.
The Prime Minister’s presence added a special touch to the event, allowing him to experience Nigerian cuisine firsthand and further strengthening the cultural ties between Canada and Nigeria.
The event was organized by Chuks Anyaduba, President of Headlamp Awards Canada and Founder of the International Initiative for Advancement of SDGs in Africa (IIASDGs), in collaboration with Akin Oduntan, Principal Partner at Glogold Consulting and General Services Canada Inc.
Chuks Anyaduba highlighted the festival’s purpose, stating, “The Crossroads of Culture Festival aims to showcase the diverse ways social impact champions are advancing the Sustainable Development Goals and creating lasting change across Africa and Canada. We are celebrating culture and the contributions of Nigerians in Brampton.”
Akin Oduntan expressed his gratitude to Prime Minister Trudeau and other attendees for supporting the Crossroads of Culture Festival. He also acknowledged the efforts of the planning committee, volunteers, and vendors who contributed to the festival’s success.
A highlight of the event was the presentation of an Award for Excellence in Cultural Presentation to the esteemed monarch of Warri, Ogiame Atuwatse III. The award was presented by Chuks Anyaduba and received on behalf of the Olu by Adeniyi Ifetayo, who conveyed the monarch’s appreciation and noted His Majesty’s absence due to preparations for his 3rd coronation anniversary.
Ifetayo also mentioned a recent announcement by the Olu and Olori Atuwatse III of a $5,000 prize for designers in the creative industry, encouraging participation from both the Diaspora and the African continent through Elevate Africa. He expressed gratitude to the Headlamp Awards and the festival organizers for the recognition.
The Crossroads of Culture Festival was supported by the Ministry of Tourism, Nigerians in Diaspora Commission (NiDCOM), UNESCO, and the Nigerian Tourism Development Authority, and sponsored by the City of Brampton, Brampton Economic Development, Skyewise Group, Sketchfinix, and Uchenna Mbunabo TV.
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