For Sergeant Ledum Ndaanee, a Nigerian-born member of the United States Marine Corps, it was an honour well-deserved as President Barack Obama presented him with the Outstanding American by Choice award at a ceremony at the White House in Washington DC.


U.S. President Barack Obama salutes Sgt. Ledum Ndaanee, recipient of the Outstanding American by Choice Recognition award, following a ceremony for the administration of a military naturalization oath in the Rose Garden of the White House April 23, 2010 in Washington, DC. Obama also delivered remarks touching on immigration issues following the ceremony.
(April 22, 2010 - Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images North America)



At the naturalisation ceremony held at the Rose Gardens of the White House, recently, where 24 active duty service members became US citizens, Obama specifically called on Sergeant Ndaanee to step forward for special recognition.

Obama said: "Growing up in Nigeria, Ledum probably never imagined he’d be standing on this stage today. Neither did I. But thanks to the generosity of churches in Virginia, he and his parents found a home in the United States. And Ledum, who says 'I always wanted to be in the military,' found his calling in the United States Marine Corps.

"He deployed to Iraq, and was serving his second tour when his unit was struck by an improvised explosive device. In the weeks and months that followed, he battled to recover from traumatic brain injury. At a VA medical center, with his parents at his side, he was presented a Purple Heart. And a few moments later, he was sworn in as an American citizen.

"This Marine was not only determined to recover, he was determined to help others. He has been a leader and mentor to his fellow wounded warriors. In fact, I hear he’s quite an athlete.

"So for his distinguished service to the country, and for inspiring us all with his example of what citizenship truly means, I am proud to join the US Citizenship and Immigration Services in presenting this recognition - the Outstanding American by Choice award- to Sergeant Ledum Ndaanee,” President Obama said.

After the presentation of the award, the US President also directed Ndaanee to conclude the day's ceremony by leading the gathering in the Pledge of Allegiance.

Commenting on the significance of the occasion, Obama said, "We celebrate the spirit of possibility - an ethic that says if you’re willing to put your shoulder to the wheel and apply your God-given talents, if you believe in yourself and you play by the rules, then there is a place for you in the United States of America - no matter where you come from and no matter what you look like.

"It’s the spirit that brought a young woman from the People’s Republic of China and inspired her to enlist in the United States Air Force, where she excels as a material management specialist. So today we congratulate our fellow citizen, Yu Yuan.

"It’s the spirit that brought a refugee from Ethiopia and led him to enlist in the US army because, he said, he wanted to give back to the country that 'has given me the opportunity to be all that I can be.' And today we congratulate Berhan Teferi.

"We celebrate the true meaning of patriotism - the love of a country that’s so strong that these men and women were willing to risk their lives to defend our country even before they could call it their own.

"It’s a patriotism of a daughter of Mexico, who came to America in those first terrible days after 9/11, joined the US Navy and says, 'I take pride in our flag and the history that forged this great nation and the history we write day by day.' So today we congratulate Perla Ramos.

"And it’s the patriotism of a young man from Papua New Guinea, who joined the United States Marine Corps and deployed to Iraq - not once, not twice, but three times. Asked why he would choose to become an American citizen, he said simply, 'I might as well. I love this country already.' And so we congratulate Granger Michael."

"Most of all, to America’s newest citizens - it is a great honor to serve as your Commander-in-Chief, and it is my greatest pleasure to be among the first to greet you as a 'fellow American.'

Speaking further, the US President said, "Today is your day -- a celebration of 24 inspiring men and women and the remarkable journeys that have brought you together on this beautiful spring morning to our nation’s capitol. The paths that led you here began in more than a dozen countries, from Peru to Poland, from Kenya to the Philippines.

"Some of you came to America as children, holding tight to your parents’ hands as you arrived in a new world. Some of you came as adults, leaving everything you knew behind in pursuit of a new life. And while your stories are your own, today we celebrate the common spirit that lives within each of you -- a spirit that has renewed and strengthened America for more than two centuries.

"We celebrate the love of family -- your moms and dads who were willing to say good-bye to their own families, their own countries, so they could have an opportunity to give you the opportunity you never had. Like generations of immigrants before them, they worked hard. They scrimped and they saved. They deferred their own dreams so that you could realize yours. So today is a tribute to their sacrifices as well,” he said.

http://odili.net/news/source/2010/may/2/209.html

Ride on brother.

'Ledum Ndaanee' the name sounds like a niger delta name ogoni, rivers state precisely. i guess his a pride to his people now.

[size=18pt]Ha! I see Obama is he not a terrorist?so u saluted and rewarded a terrorist bah?[/size]But thats good another + for nigerians

RICHIE BOI:

'Ledum Ndaanee' the name sounds like a niger delta name ogoni, rivers state precisely. i guess his a pride to his people now.

Watch the Ibos try to claim him. . . . . .

bk/babe97:

Watch the Ibos try to claim him. . . . . .

bk/babe97:

Watch the Ibos try to claim him. . . . . .

yes u r ryt, ezeuche and metal-gong

nethacker:

yes u r ryt, ezeuche and metal-gong

Why should we claim him? The name is clearly not Igbo so no need to claim him. Let him be a credit to the whatever minority group he comes from in the Niger Delta. More kudos to him.

EzeUche:

Why should we claim him? The name is clearly not Igbo so no need to claim him. Let him be a credit to the whatever minority group he comes from in the Niger Delta. More kudos to him.

u r beginning to sound sensible
metal-gong where r u?

bk/babe97:

Watch the Ibos try to claim him. . . . . .

How come you guys clearly knew he is not Igbo but  when its someone who commits crime, you guys will claim he is igbo in a jiffy and wait for igbos to prove you wrong?

Nigerians are achievers. The guy tried cos i know it is not easy to serve in iraq.

bk/babe97:

Watch the Ibos try to claim him. . . . . .

What is wrong with this B.as.tard. Is it by force for you to claim to be Nigerian? I have always told you to look for the country that you are from. You are not a Nigerian.
Like i said before, You can never be Igbo! No matter how hard you try!!
Try harder, your envy and hatred will not make Igbo men to want you! Lol! Gay Mofo!!! Where on earth does a man answer bk/[b]babe[/b]97 If he aint Gay?

Get d'ef outta here with your ethnic biased, lousy and illiterate brain. Your mouth stinks!

^^^ Lol. Dude stop tailgating, u'll crash into me and I'll beat u silly. What happened to Biafra would look like lovemaking compared to what I'm prepared to do to u. And whats with all the "gay this, gay that"??!??!lol, ure amusing. Typical ibo way, cant never make a good comeback so they call u names, insult your family. lol. Loser, I love the way I get the best of u and your Biafran brethren; always bursting a neck vessel as soon as I log on. lol. U cant stand the heat get the eff out the kitchen. Keep testing me; lets see whos gonna go insane. Other Ibos have tried, ask them what happenned. Ure on the way. . . . . .



p.s: Dude, why will I wanna be Ibo? Only way I'll agree to be Ibo is if I'm given a M-16 and allowed to mow down 2million Ibo men of my choice; that way I'll agree to be part of ur drug dealing, wife-killing, kidnapping, forceful robbing, human sacrificing clan!!!

while d chap is there getting awards and recognition, his counterparts and fellow nigerians are here extorting, harrasing and oppressing innocent civillians.

Aloy+Emeka:

For Sergeant Ledum Ndaanee, a Nigerian-born member of the United States Marine Corps, it was an honour well-deserved as President Barack Obama presented him with the Outstanding American by Choice award at a ceremony at the White House in Washington DC.


U.S. President Barack Obama salutes Sgt. Ledum Ndaanee, recipient of the Outstanding American by Choice Recognition award, following a ceremony for the administration of a military naturalization oath in the Rose Garden of the White House April 23, 2010 in Washington, DC. Obama also delivered remarks touching on immigration issues following the ceremony.
(April 22, 2010 - Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images North America)




Obama said: "Growing up in Nigeria, Ledum probably never imagined he’d be standing on this stage today. Neither did I. But thanks to the generosity of churches in Virginia, he and his parents found a home in the United States. And Ledum, who says 'I always wanted to be in the military,' found his calling in the United States Marine Corps.

Hmmmn! Like the 'generosity' of the churches 'saved' him from this 'hell-hole' called Nigeria!

lol @ comments crazy

"He deployed to Iraq, and was serving his second tour when his unit was struck by an improvised explosive device. In the weeks and months that followed, he battled to recover from traumatic brain injury. At a VA medical center, with his parents at his side, he was presented a Purple Heart. And a few moments later, he was sworn in as an American citizen''.


After leaving him almost brain-dead, now they are ''honouring'' him with their silly citizenship! Shior! Citizenship my foot.

And check out that poo-faced white trash beside him. So arrogant!

[quote link=topic=440669.msg5994875#msg5994875 ]
the USA president has the power to grant you citizen of the USA. During the second world war, an american president granted citizen to a man who [b]invested[/b a project weapon. The USA president can grant you citizen. Without going thru the normal process.
[quote][/quote]
Becomerich7, Oga fun e oooo!. Abi you mean Invented 

SemperFidelisi!!!
keep up the good work

support our troops!

zains:

"He deployed to Iraq, and was serving his second tour when his unit was struck by an improvised explosive device. In the weeks and months that followed, he battled to recover from traumatic brain injury. At a VA medical center, with his parents at his side, he was presented a Purple Heart. And a few moments later, he was sworn in as an American citizen''.


After leaving him almost brain-dead, now they are ''honouring'' him with their silly citizenship! Shior! Citizenship my foot.

And check out that poo-faced white trash beside him. So arrogant!

She is not white, duh!

bk/babe97:

^^^ Lol. Dude stop tailgating, u'll crash into me and I'll beat u silly. What happened to Biafra would look like lovemaking compared to what I'm prepared to do to u. And whats with all the "gay this, gay that"??!??!lol, ure amusing. Typical ibo way, cant never make a good comeback so they call u names, insult your family. lol. Loser, I love the way I get the best of u and your Biafran brethren; always bursting a neck vessel as soon as I log on. lol. U cant stand the heat get the eff out the kitchen. Keep testing me; lets see whos gonna go insane. Other Ibos have tried, ask them what happenned. Ure on the way. . . . . .
p.s: Dude, why will I wanna be Ibo? Only way I'll agree to be Ibo is if I'm given a M-16 and allowed to mow down 2million Ibo men of my choice; that way I'll agree to be part of your drug dealing, wife-killing, kidnapping, forceful robbing, human sacrificing clan!!!

LOL! Now I see that you are nursing a great feeling that you wish for the best from Igbo men. Nah! A sissy like you don't deserve the best from great men like Igbo men. We gat berra things to do than to notice a S, h.e Male like you. LOL!!!!

You must be surprised that I know alot about you! Now we know who can't bear the heat.  A "Gayish i.d, iot like you that wishes at all cost to be Igbo! We don't want you, can't you get it?
I'd go insane for any other person as long as the person's name aint BK/MaleBabe97, Dude take a look at your name. even a Hot gay monkey would throw up at it! 

[b]A typical "Gayish" silly I.d.i.ot that rants and threatens over the net. Na God help you say I no take note of you since. I will fold you like a piece of toilet tissue and throw you into the toilet, where you belong. I am coming 
No doubt, you hope and pray to be Igbo, but sorry we don't accept ba.st.ards, Gays and outcasts. Like I told you, you need to be a real Man to be an Igbo man.
I can see that you watch alot of movies M16?  As if you even know what a gunshot really sounds like. Be careful about the way you talk, or you will end up the way you never thought your ranting over the net would make you end. 
I am getting very close to you with every of your reply. It is the people from the tribe that you claim that I will use to deal with you. 

You are gay! It is in the open now. U are a real gay mofo! A ba.s.tar.d from a b.i.tchy w.h.or.e and a completely aggrieved out, cast.
Go and look for your country Id.iot, You aint Nigerian.[/b]

^^^Geez, someone is really testy tonite , huh?Wow. B.a*stard? gay? Homo? lol. Why cant iBO MEN EVER MAKE A COMEBACK WITHOUT GETTING PERSONAL? Dude, u sound pathetic. I'll probably just let u slide.lol. U wanna know if I know what a gun sounds like? lol. trust me homes u dont wanna know!!! Thats besides the point anyhoo. Ure no competition, Mekuyysshixxt is even a way better match than u and I figure four him all day with ease. Dude, if u cant come back with somethn better please go jump off a cliff.



P.S: THERES AN IBO GAL IN MY BED RIGHT NOW: AND I MET HER ON NL. LOL

Aloy+Emeka:

She is not white, duh!

I was about to say that too but I figure "why waste my time? That Ibo guy definitely thinks anyone lighter than his black aszz is Michael Jackson white".lol

bk/babe97:

^^^Geez, someone is really testy tonite , huh?Wow. B.a*stard? gay? Homo? lol. Why cant iBO MEN EVER MAKE A COMEBACK WITHOUT GETTING PERSONAL? Dude, u sound pathetic. I'll probably just let u slide.lol. U wanna know if I know what a gun sounds like? lol. trust me homes u dont wanna know!!! Thats besides the point anyhoo. Ure no competition, Mekuyysshixxt is even a way better match than u and I figure four him all day with ease. Dude, if u cant come back with somethn better please go jump off a cliff.



P.S: THERES AN IBO GAL IN MY BED RIGHT NOW: AND I MET HER ON NL. LOL

Look well Sissy! she aint igbo and a gal, He is a B, as.tard like you and a Man!
About the gun issue, I'll soon taste your ability to handle it. God help you if you cannot! 
LOL! Now I see that you are nursing a great feeling that you wish for the best from Igbo men. Nah! A sissy like you don't deserve the best from great men like Igbo men. We gat berra things to do than to notice a S, h.e Male like you. LOL!!!!

You must be surprised that I know alot about you! Now we know who can't bear the heat.  A "Gayish i.d, iot like you that wishes at all cost to be Igbo! We don't want you, can't you get it?
I'd go insane for any other person as long as the person's name aint BK/MaleBabe97. Dude take a look at your name, even a Hot gay monkey would throw up at it! 

Looking for some'n better? You already capitulating. Stay and defend your silly "Gayish" rants. Come and beg to be Igbo. You won't be accepted anyway!

Hello BK/MaleBabe97: This was your statement while describing Ojukwu, remember?

"Of course I think Ojukwu is senile and greedy and that he fought the civil partly for his own selfish reasons but that does not mean he aint influential. Hitler was evil and we deride him to this day but that dont mean he wasnt influential in the Third Reich!!! I mean, how else do we explain how the mouths of Ibo men become agape the moment Ojukwu unzips his pants and whips out his c.o.c.k?!?! So. . . . ."

The bold part shows your misinterpretation that Igbos are "G.A, Y"

OK, now I understand why you wanna be Igbo at all cost. I gat bad news for you "sissy", Igbos aint gay.

So, like a vagabond that you are, look for another tribe to claim and beg to belong to. B, as.tard!!!

Lol.hahahahahaha. lol. Dude, U do realize u sound demented? lol

Lol. Have u ever seen the way I destroy Mekuyyshsxxt? What of MENTAL-gong? How about DEDE1? WILY-WILY? EZEUCHE?EZIACHI? lol. Exactly!!! Dude ure gonna blow a fuse. Ure a waste of time!!! Ure not creative!! No punchlines, nothing!!! Just the typical Ibo yelling, cursing, personal insults, nothing that would make me think "Hmmn, this is one worthy adversary, I need to come hard at this nicca". lol. Jack!!! U sound like someone just woke u up and told u that Ibos are being massacred again like its 1967.hahahahahahaha. Its gay this, gay that, aszz this , aszz that. It wont even be a fair fight against u. Know what, go get some lessons from Mekuyyssxhit in trash talking then come back to moi, but for now, u aint worth it. Go jump off a cliff. . . .

bk/babe97:

Lol. Have u ever seen the way I destroy Mekuyyshsxxt? What of MENTAL-gong? How about DEDE1? WILY-WILY? EZEUCHE?EZIACHI? lol. Exactly!!! Dude ure gonna blow a fuse. Ure a waste of time!!! Ure not creative!! No punchlines, nothing!!! Just the typical Ibo yelling, cursing, personal insults, nothing that would make me think "Hmmn, this is one worthy adversary I need to come hard at this nicca". lol. Jack!!! U just sound like someone just woke u up and told u that Ibos are being massacred again like its 1967.hahahahahahaha. Its gay this, gay that, aszz this , aszz that. It wont even be a fair fight against u. Know what, go get some lessons from Mekuyyssxhit in trash talking then come back to moi, but for now, u aint worth it. Go jump off a cliff. . . .

[b]LOL! A furious ranting Sissi! Hahahahahahahahah! I dint see my name among the people you claim to have destroyed! Hahahahahahahah!

Ok, ok, lemme take it easy on you Cow! Your mode of expression shows a typical ba, sta.rd who is wondering endlessly like a va, gab on.d in search of his/her roots. Your lack of literacy lie bare on your incoherent English language construction.The truth is that you have never made any sensible contribution since you came to Nairaland. So Sissi, I decided to find out your aim in Nairaland. I discovered that you are looking for a way to be Igbo. Your empty brain gave you a wrong means of trying to be one, despite the fact that you aint even qualified to be igbo. Now Sissi, I also wanna discourage you further by stating categorically that it will be difficult for you to find a "Gay" partner in the Igbo tribe, except you wanna embark on a sexual starvation mission.
You just made my Yoruba friend to puke at the fact that you claim to be from his tribe!
You are the first "Gay" ever that doesn't wanna hear the "Gay" word.

About the bold part, O yes! It can never be a fair fight, cos I am way bigger and more focused than a gay, poor, St, upid, Clueless,  Illiterate "Sissi" Like you.

And yeah! I don't talk trash, I make sense, while saying the truth.

Incase you think that I am as Idle as you are, My $$$ is spinning in while I am writing this. That is the nature of an Igbo man  .

St, Upi.d "Gay" Mofo![/b]

You guys are jobless or what?

A well deserved honour, but I doubt if this can happen in Nigeria, unless you bribe your way in.