NIGERIANS living in Oxfordshire will celebrate fifty years of independence this weekend.

Song, traditional dance and religious ceremonies will be held in Blackbird Leys tomorrow to mark the Golden Jubilee of Nigeria’s break from British rule.

It is hoped the 12-hour celebration, partly funded by an £800 grant from Oxfordshire County Council, will attract people from across the county, and from Nigerian communities in Birmingham and London.

Chief Christian Ebede is Oxford’s first chief of the Igbo people, an ethnic group from south-east Nigeria, and chairman of the organising committee for tomorrow’s event at Blackbird Leys Leisure Centre.

It is believed there are more than 5,000 Nigerian people living in Oxfordshire.

Chief Ebede said the party would bring together the three main Nigerian tribes living in Oxfordshire, the Yoruba, the Igbo, and Hausa.

He said: “The day will be broken up into different sections. Between 11am and 1pm we will be having a multi-faith service for both Muslim and Christian religions.

“Then, from 3pm, there will be traditional dancing and a fashion parade, with lots of colourful uniforms and dress.

“There will be singing and dancing, and from 6pm there will be a disco for the younger people.”

Nigeria gained independence from the United Kingdom on October 1, 1960.

Chief Ebede said the committee decided to postpone the Independence Day celebrations for a day so dignitaries including the Nigerian High Commissioner Dr Dalhatu Sarki Tafida, the Lord Mayor of Oxford John Goddard and Oxford East MP Andrew Smith could attend.

Cultural dances and displays, traditional Nigerian food will be laid out and live music from Del Bravo and DJ Tolu Crown will provide the entertainment into the night.

Chief Ebede said: “This is the Golden Jubilee of Nigeria – it is going to be a very colourful, lively day.

“There will be more than 70 women wearing their traditional dress and there will be a lot of dancing and celebrations.

“It will be a great day for Nigerians.”

Admission to the event, at Blackbird Leys Leisure Centre from 11am to 11pm, is free.