Tickets for Canuk at 20 celebrations coming up on may 24 to now cost £30 per person

MEMBERS of organisations who belong to the Central Association of Nigerians in the UK (Canuk) will now be charged £30 to attend 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 170 or so member organisations, the Nigerian high commission staff and Canuk sponsors. Originally, the Canuk exco had considered making entry limited to invitees but looking at how much rancour that might cause, it has been decided to charge a token fee of £30 and make entry open to everyone.

Toyin Solaru Balogun, Canuk's social secretary, said: "This is going to be the first time we have actually celebrated the creation of Canuk, so we want all our members to enjoy it. we originally considered limiting entry to those invited but after deliberations, we realised that it would create some difficulties as those who were not invited would been unappreciated and disenfranchised.

"To avoid any arguments, the Canuk executive committee has now decided to charge a token fee of £30, so that everyone who wants to can attend. On the night in question, we will hand out appreciation awards to past executive committee members, we will sell a special Old School CD/USB drive  and there will be non-stop music all night."

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 also asked everyone to buy their tickets by paying directly into the Canuk's Lloyds Bank account with the sort code of 301553 and account number 00224400.

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.