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July 2, 2023By Carissa Krautscheid
Father Samuel Jandeh, VC, is a Nigerian priest serving the community of St. Andrew the Apostle Parish in Sierra Vista. On Friday, June 23, 2023, Fr. Samuel became a United States citizen. More than 50 people attended his swearing-in ceremony, including fellow priests and many parishioners. The courtroom was not big enough to accommodate the crowd gathered to support Fr. Samuel on this memorable day.
In his remarks at the ceremony, Fr. Samuel said, “This country believes in the quality of all human beings: that we are all created equal, endowed with certain inalienable rights, among which are life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. I am here for those reasons. As far as leadership and human relationships are concerned, it doesn’t get better than that.
“I encourage my fellow citizens to bring your gifts and talents to the table. Let us all work together, in concert with our respective cultures, to the greatness of this nation and maintaining the greatness of the United States of America among the other nations of the world.
“I thank God for this day, and I ask him to bestow his choicest blessings on all of us as we continue to work together to maintain the greatness of the United States of America and the entire world.
“Thank you, thank you, thank you!” Fr. Samuel concluded to resounding applause.
Photos courtesy of Pauline Fredericks