Princess of Thailand celebrates Nigerian graduates

Glitz and glamour were on display last weekend, as eight Nigerians, including Moritz Emeka Ani, who is the Vice President of the Nigerian community, were recognised by the Crowned Princess Maha Chakri Siridhorn for obtaining Masters Degree at the Ramkhanhaeng University.

The Nigerians were the highest immigrants after the host country, Thailand to obtain Masters Degree or any other degree from the University.

It was gathered that Nigerians immigrants have the highest levels of education in the states, surpassing whites and Asians, according to a census data carried out in 13 annual Houston area surveys conducted by the Rice University, Thailand.

Celebrating the immigrants in a well-attended event in Thailand, Nigerian Ambassador to Thailand, Ahmed Nuhu Bamalli, urged Nigerians to engage in making the country proud rather than indulging in negative attributes that could bring shame on the people.

At the occasion were President of the Nigerian Community, Thailand, Pastor Victor Adiola, former President of Nigerian Students Association, Thailand, Egwuonwu Isaac Anayo, Offor Kingsley Ifeanyi, Anozie Derek Gozie, Egbuonu Vincent and Abuah Avis Nnabuife and others

The Ambassador congratulated the recipients and urged them to continue to put into best use their acquired knowledge in rebranding the image of Nigeria abroad. He further re-echoed the need to be law-abiding and pledged the embassy’s commitment to the entire well being of Nigerians living in the Royal Kingdom of Thailand.

Also speaking, Ani, who is the Managing Director of Omega Smoked Fish Company in Thailand said, “This is one of the happiest days in life where I can take home this pride and put all I have acquired to the growth and development of my country Nigeria.”

Ani, popularly known for proudly flagging Nigerian flag in front of his factory at Lam Luk Ka District Pathumthani Province, Thailand, said it was a thing of joy that could excel in their chosen field.

A Bet News survey had indicated that Nigerian Americans are known for their community’s intense cultural emphasis on education, stressing that Nigerians valued education and surpassed other U.S. ethnic groups when it comes to obtaining degrees.

In the survey conducted in 2006 census data, 37 percent of Nigerians in the U.S. had bachelor’s degrees, 17 percent held master’s degrees and 4 percent had doctorates.

In contrast, the same census data showed only 19 percent of white Americans had bachelor’s degrees, 8 percent held master’s degrees and only 1 percent held doctorates.