Joyce Banda gets honorary citizenship of Nebraska State: ‘If you can’t go back home,  please look back’

Malawi’s former president Joyce Banda, founder of the People’s Party (PP) and the Joyce Banda Foundation, was invited by the Board of Midwestern African Museum of Art, Culture and Resource Center (MAMA) to officially inaugurate a newly-established Museum in downtown Lincoln, Nebraska State in the United States of America on Sunday, October 16, 2016.

Among dignitaries who welcomed Banda included Greg Sparling II, Lincoln Artist, Leirion Gaylor Baird- Chair of Lincoln City Council, Seth Mock, Founder, Midwestern African Museum of Art, Culture and Resource Center, Dr.  Natalie Hahn, President, Malaika Foundation, Mubanga Chongo-Ofafa- Board Chair, Midwestern African Museum of Art, Culture and Resource Center and Gorretty Ofafa, African Dance Artist.

In her speech, Banda encouraged members of the African community in Nebraska to love and support one another and that should opportunities arise, they must always remember ‘home’.

She said people in Africa face many challenges, including economic deprivation, hunger and civil strife and that any small contribution that Africans in Diaspora can make brings a lot of difference to the lives of many Africans.

“If you can’t go back, please look back,” said  Banda.

The former President was later in the evening treated to a dinner hosted by Dr.  Natalie Hahn, President, Malaika Foundation. At the dinner, Banda was presented with an honorary citizenship of Nebraska State.

She is the first African former President to have ever visited Nebraska, renowned for its exceptional warm hospitality for African refugees and immigrants.