23 June 2015 – The Philippine Embassy in Abuja commemorated the 117th Anniversary of the Proclamation of Philippine Independence on June 12, commencing with an offering of a concelebrated Holy Mass at the Apostolic Nunciature. The Mass was officiated by the Papal Nuncio, Archbishop Augustine Kasujja, with other priests of the Nunciature. The flag raising ceremony at the Embassy chancery followed.
At Philippine Ambassador to Nigeria Alex V. Lamadrid hosted a well-attended vin d’honneur for the members of the diplomatic community, representatives of the Nigerian government, business people and friends of the Embassy. Ambassador Lamadrid, in his message, congratulated Nigeria for the peaceful conduct of elections and the turnover of power that followed. He also echoed the messages of President Benigno Aquino and Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert F. del Rosario in his address. He ended by proposing a toast to the continued excellent relations between the Philippines and Nigeria.The Nigerian Foreign Ministry representative Ambassador Sonni Samuel Yusuf, the Director Regions and International Organizations, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, congratulated the Ambassador Lamadrid and the people of the Philippines on the celebration of the 117th anniversary of independence.
After the vin d’honneur, the Embassy opened its doors to Filipinos who availed themselves of consular services. First-time overseas voters registered to vote for the 2016 national elections. A seminar on Women’s Rights, Trafficking-in-persons, and Financial Literacy was also held.
The active participation and attendance of members of various Filipino communities coming from other parts of Nigeria particularly the President of the Filipino Association in Lagos Mrs. Fleurdeliz Atrib and her spouse Mr. Elias Atrib, highlighted the support given to the Embassy’s activities. END