Golden Sella to offer UK diasporans discounted Basmati rice at Canuk gala dinner

NIGERIAN diasporans in the UK are going to get the added benefit of discounted rice in the run-up to Christmas as Golden Sella will be offering them subsidised 5kg bags of rice at this year's gala dinner taking place on December 14.

In a special offer, 100 5kg bags of the rice will be on sale for a token amount of £7.50 at this year's Central Association of Nigerians in the UK (Canuk) December gala dinner taking place on December 14. Usually available for about £11.50 in retail stores, the 5kg bags will be made available to guests who attend the gala dinner as a Christmas gift.

Tropical Sun, the multinational food distributor who sells virtually every brand of rice in the UK is a big backer of Canuk and has got the likes of Tilda Rice, USA Rice and Golden Sella Rice to sponsor Nigerian programmes in the UK in the past. This time around, Tropical Sun has not only got them to sponsor the gala dinner but also donate rice for the raffle draw and then on top offer discounted 5kg bags to guests.

Paul Harrison's Tropical Sun's head of community relations, said: "Rice is a big part of the Christmas menu in Nigerian households, so Golden Sella have decided to cement their relationship with the community by offering discounted bags to Canuk delegates. On Nigerian Christmas tables across the country, jollof rice, fried rice and white rice with ayamashe will be served on December 25.

"Being the largest black community in the UK, the Nigerian diaspora is hugely important to us as they consume rice in huge quantities and it is only fair that the suppliers say thank you to then at Christmas. We will be offering 100 bags for sale at this discounted price on the night and they will go on a first come first served basis."

According to Mr Harrison, on the night, guests will get a special pack, made up if the bag of Golden Sella rice, a pack of coconut peanuts and a Tropical Sun bag for life. He added that this will all be available on the Tropical Sun stall for just £7.50.

Toyin Balogun, Canuk's social secretary, added: This year's event is going to have everything with top music from DJ Seyi Chicago, cultural displays from the Tiv Union, Atilogwu dancers and Eyo masquerades and a sumptuous cuisine. We are now adding discounted rice to the package, so everyone will go home with something, making it a very memorable event.

"We decided to go all out to make this year's gala dinner the biggest, brightest and most entertaining ever, so are throwing all sorts of goodies into the mix. Fortunately, Canuk has managed to attract a wide array of sponsors like Tropical Sun, Providus Bank, Glo Currency, Obaseki Solicitors, Lemfi, Cruxstone and Homeland International and their generosity has meant that we have not had to increase ticket prices to market levels despite all we are offering."

Victor Aleva, Canuk's financial secretary, urged everyone who wants to purchase tickets, which are only £50 to attend the gala dinner to do so by paying directly into the Canuk bank account. He added that they should do this pay making payments into the association's Lloyds Bank account with the sort code of 301553 and account number 00224400.

Rose Graham, Canuk's publicity secretary, added that the night will offer something for everyone as the hall is booked until 1am. She pointed out that among other things, Canuk member organisations who have served the community over the year will be honoured with awards on the night.