Central Association of Nigerians in the UK to host independence day quiz on September 30

NIGERIA'S diaspora community in the UK shall be marking the country's 63rd anniversary by holding a virtual quiz on Saturday September 30 2023 involving all the member-organisations of the of Central Associations of Nigerians in the UK (Canuk) 

Previously, this quiz was due to hold on Sunday October 1 but has mad to be moved forward by a day to cope with the large number of independence day activities. Coming on top of the fact that the high commissioner Ambassador Sarafa Ishola is leaving,  Canuk has had to move the event forward by a day.

In what will be only the second ever such event of its kind, all Canuk member associations will be asked to participate in an online quiz. Taking place between 11am and 1pm, the event will be attended by the Nigerian high commissioner to the UK Ambassador Sarafa Ishola and the chair of the Nigeria Diaspora Commission Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa.

To be interlaced with a bit of entertainment and music, the event will see prizes given to the winners and the two runners-ups. Open to all Canuk member associations, the quiz will be robust with the questions being broad ranging.

Toyin Balogun, Canuk's social secretary, said: "We have about 120 organisations within Canuk and they will all be entitled to participate in this quiz so long as they are financially up-to-date with their dues. There will be 50 questions in total, covering five sections including Nigerian history, sports, entertainment, British history and the history of Canuk.

"His Excellency the high commissioner will be the special guest of honour, while the Nidcom chair will deliver the keynote speech on the day. Whichever organisation wins will later be invited to visit the high commission where they will receive a trophy."

Canuk general secretary, Abi Bada, added that the event is an ideal way to involve as many associations as possible from across the country without making them travel down to London. She added that making it a virtual event would also allow Canuk member-organisations to hold their own independence day events on the day should they chose to do so.

Ayo Akinfe, the Canuk chairman, added: "We originally planned to hold this event on independence day October 1 but because so many of our member organisations are holding events that day, we have had to move it. In addition, many Nigerian churches have contacted us to say that October 1 is a Sunday and they will be holding special prayers that day, so will not be able to log on.

"Coming on top of the fact that we are grappling with the dynamics of the high commissioner leaving, we have a very busy October 1 on our hands. We have thus written to all out member organisations informing them of the change of date."

Ada Ikechukwu, Canuk's assistant social secretary, has been named as the quiz mistress on the day. Seven senior members of the community have been named as judges to manage the quiz. They include Ronke Udofia, Bimbo Afolayan, Dayo Olomu, Chima Olugh, Suisan Waya, Liz Ikoriko and Jenny Okafor.