Former exco members to be honoured at Canuk at 20 celebrations coming up in May

FORMER members of the executive committee of the Central Association of Nigerians in the UK (Canuk) will be honoured with awards at the forthcoming Canuk at 20 celebration due to take place in London on May 24.

Founded in 2005 by the then high commissioner Dr Christopher Kolade, Canuk celebrates 20 years of being in existence this year. To mark the event, the current executive committee has decided to celebrate the occasion with a party, scheduled to take place at the Capthorne Tara Hotel in Kensington, London W8 5SR.

Due to begin at around 6pm and last until after midnight, the event will be attended by past and present executive committee members, delegates from the 160 or so member organisations, The Nigeria High Commission staff and Canuk sponsors. Dr Kolade will speak to attendees via a video link from Lagos and the current high commissioner Ambassador Mohammed Maidugu will also address guests.

Toyin Solaru Balogun, Canuk's social secretary, said: "Since it was created in 2005, Canuk has served as the umbrella body of all Nigerian organisations in the UK and it is only right that this be recognised. On May 24, we will be celebrating some of those who have been key players in this journey that has seen Canuk grow to about 160 organisations today."

Flora Njoku, Canuk's vice chair, associations, added: "In 20 years of its existence, Canuk has managed to spread its tentacles far and wide, ensuring every nook and cranny of the country is represented and every part of Nigeria has representation too. We will now be throwing a party to appreciate all these members and to honour all those whose hard work made this possible."

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 to help with funding the event.

According to Rose Graham, Canuk's publicity secretary, this celebration will be the last event the current executive committee organises before its hands over in June. She pointed out that at the forthcoming annual general meeting taking place on June 14, a new executive committee will be elected and sworn-in to office.