In the words of Mr.Tony Ani,a Nigerian citizen who has lived in Canada for over 15 years: “I can authoritatively say that the Nigerian Community Summer Fest-Toronto 2025 is the highest single gathering of the Nigerian community in Ontario, possibly in Canada as a whole.” Without mincing words, Mr. Ani was never alone in that statement.
The above statement characterised the general feeling of Nigerians and their guests, who had travelled from across the whole country and even from Africa to grace this year’s edition of the Nigerian Community Summer Fest-Toronto 2025 held on Saturday, August 23,2025, in Brampton.
The atmosphere had been quite electric with the colourful display of Nigerian cultures typified by food, dresses, masquerades, artefacts as well as the local beads and other cultural accessories that complemented colourful attires and told the story of home and of a people who have migrated from thousands of kilometers across the seas carrying the essence of their beings in both their hearts and hands.
They were all gathered for one reason: to, in unison with one another, share the sheer camaraderie that defines oneness and our shared heritage, values and the common thread that binds one Nigerian to his brother or sister.
The entire preparation processes, planning and execution, one could easily deduce, had been calculated to score a meaningful point, to drive home an impression in the heart and mind of every participant and guest. The simple message, couched in wordless symbolism of arts, colour, food and dances, seemed to merely be: “This is home, where the heart is.”
Much of this assertion was, perhaps, captured in the speeches, dances, fanfare and the exhibition of conviviality that drove the events of the Festival in Brampton that bright Saturday.
The day had begun with the Open Remarks of Chief John Chukwu, iconic President and Chair of Jecmek Shipping and Clearing Inc, the company that has for seven years running continued to facilitate and deliver to Nigerians in Canada the yearly event christened the Nigerian Community Summer Fest.
The texts of the speech delivered by Yours Sincerely on behalf of the Jecmek Chair read:
“Your Excellency, The Premier of Ontario – The Honourable Doug Ford;
“Your Worship, Mayor Patrick Brown – Mayor of Brampton;
“The Honourable Graham McGregor – Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism;
“The Right Honourable Alvin Curling – First Black Speaker of Ontario, longest-serving MPP, and former Minister for Skills Development;
“The Royal Father of the Day – Your Royal Highness, Eze Remmy Maduwube (Ukadike II);
“Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen.
“It is with a profound sense of joy and humility, but also with a heavy heart, that I welcome you all to this historic celebration.
While we are here today to celebrate the rich and vibrant cultural heritage of Nigeria, we also carry with us the sorrow of a recent tragedy.
“We remember the late Mr. Chukwudi (aka Uli), a valued member of our community who recently lost his life in a tragic accident while pursuing his daily livelihood. May his soul rest in peace.
“This occasion is epoch-making, not just for the festivities, but because the Nigerian Community Summer Fest has entered a bold new chapter.
“What began a little over seven years ago as the vision of Chief John Chukwu, nurtured through the unwavering support of his company, Jecmek Shipping and Clearing, has grown beyond one individual.
“From being carried solely by Chief Chukwu, to being supported by close friends and associates, and now, embraced by the entire Nigerian community here, this event has become bigger than one man — it is now a movement!
“Today, prominent personalities and brands from Nigeria, Canada, and beyond stand with us in celebrating this shared identity and purpose.
From the start, the mission has been clear: To unite Nigerians across tribes, faiths, and backgrounds, and to celebrate our cultural wealth with pride. The strategy has always been to nurture this vision, allow it to grow, and return it to the people — and today, we see that dream of Chief John Chukwu realized.
“On behalf of the Planning Committee, I wish to extend our heartfelt apologies for the last-minute change of venue. Please understand that every decision made was in the interest of ensuring a safe, enjoyable, and memorable event for everyone.
“And so today, we invite you to relax, connect, celebrate, and enjoy all that this special gathering has to offer.
“For myself and, on behalf of everyone who has contributed to making a success of this event,I congratulate you all and thank everyone for coming.”
Indeed, the event not only fulfilled its promises of relaxation and fun, but went beyond to provide opportunities for networking, for meaningful and gainful exchanges and expansion of scopes of everyone’s operations and for casting further expectations for deeper interactions among brothers, sisters, friends as well as citizens and authorities of the home country.
There were dances from various ethnic nationalities from Nigeria, just as different cuisines were also shared by participants.
Speaking to the august gathering, the Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism, Graham McGregor said he was impressed with the showcasing of the various aspects of Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage and would, indeed, love to see more of the summer event in the years ahead.
While also lending his voice to the event, the Mayor of Brampton, Mayor Patrick Brown expressed delight at hosting the event within his jurisdictions. He also used the occasion to pledge the partnership of the city to the Nigerian community, while expecting that the City would avail the Community of its partnership to facilitate the event in 2026.
It is noteworthy to observe here that in spite of the 11th hour change of venue for the event the attendance and participation in the event remained record-breaking.
While providing insight on how the event was first conceived, the Chief Convener, Chief John Chukwu informed guests that it was merely an avenue through which he brought friends and associates alike together for summer picnic, which eventually started to grow to become a festival of wide magnitude across the past seven years.
Among participants were traditional rulers, Parliamentarians, officials of Government, the Clergy as well as business men and women. They were richly entertained by popular Nigerian energetic displays, music, dances, masquerades, including the highly revered and popular Ajo Ofia Nnewi from Anambra State in Southeast Nigeria.
