Former mayor of Southwark Councillor Michael Situ heads Canuk's electoral committee

FORMER mayor of Southwark Councillor Michael Situ has been named as the chairman of the Central Association of Nigerians in the UK (Canuk) 2025 electoral committee with a mandate to usher in a new executive committee at this year's annual general meeting (AGM) on June 14.

At a recent meeting of the Canuk executive committee, a 12-man electoral committee was agreed upon. Councillor Situ will chair the committee which is made up of representatives of Canuk member organisations. Its composition looks like this:

Michael Situ (Chair) - Nigerian Community in Southwark

Yemi Soile - Nigerian Union of Students

Anthony Akanya - Onitsha Union UK

Ayo Oyebade - Ondo Union UK

Hauwa Yusuf - Arewa Women's League UK

Yetunde Adeshile - Nigerians in Community Essex

Azuka Agbai - Ohafia Improvement Union UK

Ejiro Ughwujabo - Urhobo Progressive Union

Godwin Ejeh - Nigerian Community in Sunderland

Omusa Oyorma - Nasarawa State Union UK

Abi Bada - Canuk general secretary

Councillor Situ said: "We were set up in line with the provisions of the Canuk constitution which stipulates that the executive committee should put together a body of honourary members to organise elections. Former deputy mayor of Basildon Yetunde Adeshile has agreed to serve as the secretary of the committee, so we will soon meet and agree on an election timetable.

"Canuk's AGM will be holding at the St Olaves Church Hall in north London on June 12 where a new executive committee will be sworn-in. Our task as an electoral committee is to midwife that process by making sure that the elections are free, fair and transparent."

In what will be a busy few months, Canuk will be marking its 20th anniversary on May 24 at Capthorne Tara Hotel in Kensington and then its AGM at St Olaves Church Hall at Woodberry Downs on June 14. Both events will be attended by the high commission staff and will be backed by Canuk's sponsors.

Toyin Solaru Balogun, Canuk's social secretary, said: "This executive committee has worked flat out across a host of areas trying to make life better for the Nigerian community in the UK. It is thus quite befitting that it will be bowing out with two major events that will serve as valedictory parties.

"At Canuk at 20, we will party with the members of Canuk member-associations and will also sell a special Canuk Old School CD/USB compilation for £10 apiece. Then a month later on June 14, we will hold the AGM, which will serve as the fond farewell, where a new executive committee will be sworn-in."

Victor Aleva, Canuk's financial secretary, urged all member associations to please bring their membership up to date by paying their annual dues.  He asked them to pay directly into the Canuk's Lloyds Bank account with the sort code of 301553 and account number 00224400.