NEW YORK AP – After almost nine years, Nigerian immigrant Emakoji Ayikoye is on the brink of becoming an American, just waiting to say the words of the citizenship oath.

But Thursday’s ceremony is weighted with more symbolism than usual for the 32-year-old college math teacher. It’s one of several being held nationwide in honor of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. Another, on Friday in Atlanta, will feature a speech from his daughter Bernice King.