‘I’m just filled with joy and excitement’

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 01/07/2024 (462 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Twenty-eight people from 12 different countries took the oath to become a Canadian citizen at Assiniboine Park on Canada Day.

Soggy conditions moved the event indoors to the Pavillion.

Henry and Oreo Amogu received their citizenship side by side. The pair met in Nigeria but came to Canada in 2015 to study. Married in 2020, they decided to call Winnipeg their new home.

“I’m just filled with joy and excitement,” said Henry, 31, after the ceremony. “(Citizenship) just opens up so many thoughts, so many opportunities, so many options for us to explore now.”

Oreo’s dad, Babajide Olatunde-Agbeja, happened to make it in on a flight the day before, making the occasion even more special for her.

Originally, she studied economics and accounting in Ontario for four years while Henry was in school for landscape architecture. Now, Oreo has met people in Winnipeg that she can call family

“I’m excited that God worked everything out in our favour,” Oreo, 31, said. “It’s home.”

Olatunde-Agbeja said he’s so happy for his daughter and son-in-law. They’ve dreamt of officially becoming citizens for a long time, he said.

While he’s only in Winnipeg for five days, he plans on visiting at least once a year. Oreo said her dad has kept his promise post-COVID.

Olatunde-Agbeja said he loves Nigeria but loves travelling as well. He said he’s the “luckiest chap on the planet” to have made it in time to watch Henry and Oreo become Canadian citizens.

The couple says they haven’t encountered many challenges adjusting to living in Canada.

“Nigeria is good and tough,” Olatunde-Agbeja said. “If you’ve been through Nigeria, this would be a piece of cake.”

Henry and Oreo plan to eventually start a family in Winnipeg. Oreo also hopes to help other immigrants trying to gain citizenship and navigate living in a new country.

For Besma Salih, it was challenging to learn English when she first moved to Manitoba from Eritrea with her family when she was 17. Now, at 24, Salih is thrilled for the chance to travel more and vote.

Salih, who’s first language is Arabic, finished high school in Canada and started studying nursing at the University of Winnipeg. After taking a break from school, she’s returning to the same studies and hopes to one day be an international nurse.

She said the Manitoba weather is the biggest difference to her home in East Africa.

“But people are so friendly and nice here and it feels like we’re all in the same community even though we all come from different backgrounds,” Salih said. “It’s nice and warm. You feel like, even though the weather is not, but with the people and everything, it feels very warm and nice.”

Salih’s mom Arhat and sister Rsem were able to make it to the ceremony in person. Her dad and brother joined through FaceTime.

She couldn’t believe her luck when she received an email saying her citizenship ceremony date was on Canada Day. She’s happy to have spent time with her family on the holiday to celebrate.

Salih was shocked to learn how many different countries her fellow new citizens are from, but is excited they could celebrate together despite their differences.

“I’m actually proud to be a Canadian now,” Salih said. “I can see the future. It’s going to be good.”

jura.mcilraith@freepress.mb.ca