Proudly Canadians But With Faith In Their Fatherland

Follow

( 0 Followers )

X

Follow

E-mail : *

Follow Unfollow

“It is my honour and privilege to officially welcome you all, and it’s pretty amazing when you think about it. You came here about an hour ago, 67 people from 16 different countries. And now, here you are all part of one big, happy family, Canadian family, along with 41 million other people. So, your journeys to become Canadian citizens are now complete, and your journeys as Canadian citizens are just beginning”.With these words by Suzanne Carriere, the first Metis citizenship judge in Canada, the status of 67 candidates from 16 countries who were hitherto permanent residents in Winnipeg, Manitoba Province, changed to proud citizens of Canada. It was a dream come true.The epochal Canadian citizenship ceremony witnessed by family members and friends, took place in the cheerful ambience of the VIA Rail Station auditorium in downtown Winnipeg, Thursday September 18, 2025. Some Nigerian families were also included.Judge Carriere set the tone for the ceremony in her welcome speech in which she impressed it on them that irrespective of when they were sworn in, like other citizens, “you are the same under the law with the same rights and privileges. Respect those rights and privileges”. She however quickly reminded them that “Canadian citizenship does come with responsibilities as well. Like obeying our laws here in Canada, taking responsibility for yourself.

Now, voting in our elections, doing your parts to protect Canada’s environments, inheritance, and helping others around you, and being good community members”. They can also now apply for a Canadian passport.Congratulating them after the oath-taking, presentation of citizenship certificates, and signing of the register, Judge Carriere declares, “And now, as Canadian citizens, the 67 of you are our ambassadors. You are ambassadors of one of the greatest, freest, richest, and most beautiful nations that ever existed in the history of this planet. So, it’s likely a day that you’ll never forget. And this applies to me as well because I will never forget that I had the honour and privilege of participating in today’s ceremony with all of you”.Then the highpoint of the event – the performance of their first civic responsibility as Canadians, which was singing of the national anthem, ‘Oh Canada’. “This is now your national anthem. Sing it with pride”, the judge directed.Speaking to TELL on the significance of the day, Adedamola Olufisayo Fabikun who took the oath alongside her son Eyinioreoluwa, said she was so happy to be a Canadian with her son and described the event as “exciting”. Fabikun, who was a staff of the Federal Inland Revenue Service before relocating to Canada, said “It’s been a journey. We moved here in 2022, and it’s been a rollercoaster but at the end of the day, it’s worth it. Thank you, Jesus”. She says life in Nigeria and Canada are two different experiences that she cannot compare. “Here, I had to learn and unlearn a whole lot of stuff. Like I started all over again and I’m grateful because coming here brought out the strength in me that I never knew I had”.Fabikun’s wish however is for Nigeria “To do better and to make the system work because that’s the difference. Back home, it’s really good, but the system does not work. So, I pray the system will work okay”. The Adepojus were equally as excited. They’ve lived in Winnipeg as permanent residents for about three and a half years, and they applied for citizenship after three years when they became eligible. They relocated from the United Kingdom where they lived for 12 years.Abiodun Adepoju, described the rather fast journey to citizenship as God’s doing.Oh, that would be a long one. I was a banker, and along the line. I started my business. I didn’t actually come here from Nigeria. We relocated to the United Kingdom. We were in the UK for like 12 years before coming to Canada.Adepoju, a financial expert who works with the government of Canada, said they decided to settle in the country because “Canada has a lot of great attributes that will make you want to be part of the country. Is it the diversity, opportunities; it’s so much peaceful here. I’ve been to a lot of places. I’ve been to, I would say, all the continents, and I can call this place home”.This notwithstanding, he says he believes in Nigeria. “It’s still my home. Even though I’m a dual citizen now – Nigeria, Canada – Nigeria is still my root, where I come from. I can only hope that we continue to strive to get better”.