Nigeria's diaspora community in the UK is planning to use its 2021 end-of-year party 17 as a major launching pad for a series of bold initiatives aimed at radically revitalising things.
The Central Association of Nigerians in the UK (Canuk) will be holding a gala dinner tagged ‘Reuniting the Community After the Lockdown’. Kicking off with a red-carpet reception at 6pm, the event will involve a three-course dinner, music, live entertainment raffle draw and plenty of dancing.
Hoping to draw a line under the hard times that characterised the pandemic lockdown, Canuk is hoping that this mega event will revitalise the Nigerian social and entertainment industry. However, there are also several bold initiatives that will be unveiled on the day, including admission of about two new member association and the formal inauguration of Canuk's status review committee and its constitution review committee.
Canuk secretary, Titi Danso, said: "At Nigeria's last Independence Day celebrations, on October 1, we welcomed two new associations into Canuk as the Nigerian Community in Greenwich and the Nigerian Community in Surrey & Sussex joined us. So, at the party, we shall be taking that process further with over a dozen new bodies poised to formally become members of the Canuk family.
"Among the numerous associations we shall be welcoming are the Nigerian Community in Rochdale, the Hussey College Warri Old Students Association UK, Nigerian Disability Association UK, Nigerian Community in Essex, Nigerian Community in South Wales, Nigerian Community in Nottingham, the Egba United Society, the Nigerian Students Union UK and the Association of Professional Wedding Engagement Coordinators of Nigeria UK Chapter. To represent the community effectively, Canuk needs to register as many bodies as possible to give it maximum reach and we are going about this with a gusto."
Doyin Owoeye, Canuk's social secretary added: "December 17 will be a night of fun, entertainment and merriment but it will also be a time to build on what we are doing in Canuk. For instance, on the night, we will be handing welcome certificates to all out new member associations and we shall also be formally inaugurating our status review committee and the Canuk constitution review committee.
"Our high commissioner, His Excellency Ambassador Sarafa Ishola, will be the guest of honour on the night so it will be a mixture of fun and business. What makes this event unique is that our member associations from all different parts of the country will be booking tables and bringing their members to London for the day."
According to Ms Danso, Canuk's legal adviser will chair both the status review committee and the Canuk constitution review committee. She added that the status review committee is mandated with coming up with a new structure that will enable Canuk source public funds for its activities, looking at charitable options.
She also pointed out that Canuk has also just constituted a membership committee that has been mandated to continue the process of recruiting new associations. Chaired by Canuk's second vice chairman, this membership committee has been set a task of recruiting at least six new member associations per quarter.
Princess Christian-Iwuagwu, the Canuk financial secretary urged everyone who wants to purchase tickets to do so by paying directly into the Canuk bank account. She added that they should do this by paying into the association's Lloyds Bank account with the sort code of 301553 and account number 00224400. The Canuk end-of-year party takes place at the Regency Banqueting Suite, Tottenham, London, on December 17.
