Sponsors back Canuk as it celebrates its 20 anniversary and prepares for 2025 AGM

SEVERAL Nigerian-facing companies have joined the ranks of sponsors backing the Central Association of Nigerians in the UK's  (Canuk) 20th anniversary celebrations and 2025 annual general meeting (AGM) coming up in London over the next few months.

Funeral care company Homeland International, money transfer operation Unity Link, Lagos property developer Cruxstone and UK food distributor Tropical Sun have become the latest sponsors to back Canuk's two forthcoming events. They have all agreed to sponsor the two events by taking out advertisements in the AGM brochure and displaying their banners at the venues of the festivities.

On May 24, Canuk will be celebrating its 20th anniversary at a classy bash taking place at the Capthorne Tara Hotel in Kensington, London W8 5SR. Then on June 14, Canuk will be holding its 2025 annual general meeting at St Olaves Church Hall in Manor House, north London, N4 2TW.

Canuk member organisations get to attend the AGM once they are up to date with their annual subscriptions, but for the 20th anniversary celebrations, entry will cost £30 per person. To help fund both events, Homeland International, Unity Link, Tropical Sun and Cruxstone have taken out generous sponsorship packages that will assist Canuk in ameliorating the costs.

Other sponsors expected to also back the events too soon include Providus Bank, Glo Currency, Zenith Bank, Lemfi, Radiant Money, Ades Supermarket, Mobihealth and Kato Enterprises. Guests at both events will be treated to sumptuous Nigerian meals and alcoholic beverages provided by Tropical Sun, Ades Supermarket and Kato Enterprises.

Due to begin at around 6pm and last until after midnight, the 20th anniversary celebrations 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 Canuk at 20 celebrations will be the last event the current executive committee organises before its hands over at the AGM in June. She pointed out that at the AGM  taking place on June 14, a new executive committee will be elected and sworn-in to office.