An Post will issue a new set of stamps on 26 September as part of what it describes as its ongoing commitment to cultural diversity.
The national postal service said immigration over the last decade “has helped shape a more socially and culturally diverse society, and in so doing transform Ireland from a monocultural country into an inclusive multicultural nation.”
The four stamps are designed by Atelier David Smith and feature photographic images of immigrants from various nationalities who now regard Ireland as their new home.
They include Chinese woman Garda Dongdong Zheng of Swords Garda Station and Sammy Akorede, a Nigerian-born Luas inspector.
Akorede told Metro Éireann that the new stamps mark a milestone for the immigrant community.
“I contested for and won [the prize of having my image on the stamp]. I have been here for over 10 years and I think it is a great achievement for an immigrant to be on national stamp. I am very grateful and I am proud of it.”
He added: “To me, it is progress and shows that Ireland is a multicultural society. It helps the diversity and integration cause.”
Akorede also took the opportunity to advise immigrants not to be weighed down by the different challenges facing them in Ireland.
“Since we decided to live here, we are grateful to the Government for accepting us. No matter the setback, we should not look at the negative but emphasise the positive. And as far as I’m concerned, the sky is the limit.”
Asked about racist harrassment against immigrant workers on the Luas, Akorede said management “is doing its best to fight racism against its staff” and made reference to various diversity initiatives, “but the racial abuse we get is more to do with society”.
