African Day in Finland was celebrated yesterday at Caisa cultural centre in Helsinki. Africa Day is the annual commemoration of the foundation of the African Union, which took place in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia on 25th May 1963. Africa Day is celebrated around the world and is an opportunity to appreciate and mark the African continent’s diverse history and heritage while acknowledging its cultural and economic potential.
SHOCKER: Simon Ekpa, the leader of an armed group in Nigeria receives Peace Award in Finland
The official theme for Africa Day 2023 is
“Accelerating the Implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area”.
This year’s Africa Day in Finland was organized by 17 organizations, Fatima Usman’s AFAES ry coordinated the whole thing.
During the event, Africans in Finland were shocked when Simon Ekpa a known leader of a terrorist group in Nigeria was given the Ambassador of Peace Award. Ekpa who is under investigation by the Finnish police is wanted by the Nigerian government for various crimes bordering inciting violence and asking his armed group in Nigeria to deal with anyone who disobeys his order.
A mild drama ensued at the Caisa hall, one of the African ambassadors who seemed enraged by the absurdity walked out of the hall and people began to question why the organizers should give a peace award to someone of a questionable character whose actions have made peace to elude many in Eastern Nigeria.
Awarding Simon Ekpa, an Ambassador of Peace award is like a prostitute receiving a virginity award
Few persons who are part of the organising committee told Diaspora Glitz Magazine that they are not aware that Ekpa will receive a peace award.
Concerned Africans in Finland are calling on all the African ambassadors & key stakeholders of the community to order an investigation into the sham of an award because it brings shame and demeans our community.