Golden Sella to offer UK diasporans discounted rice at Canuk 20th anniversary

UK diasporans are going to get the added benefit of discounted rice at the Central Association of Nigerians in the UK's (Canuk) 20th anniversary as Golden Sella will be offering them subsidised 5kg bags of rice at the event next month.

On May 24, Canuk will be celebrating its 20th anniversary at a classy bash taking place at the Capthorne Tara Hotel in Kensington, in central London W8 5SR. Entry to the event, where past Canuk executives will be presented with awards will cost £30 per person.

In a special offer provided by Tropical Sun, a major sponsor of the event, 100 5kg bags of the rice will be on sale for a token amount of £7. Usually available for about £11.50 in retail stores, the 5kg bags will be made available to guests who attend the anniversary, just as happened at Canuk's gala dinner at Christmas.

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. 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.

Paul Harrison's Tropical Sun's head of community relations, said: "Rice is a big part of the menu in Nigerian households, so Golden Sella have decided to cement their relationship with the community by offering discounted bags to Canuk delegates. No doubt, on Nigerian tables throughout the summer jollof rice, fried rice and white rice with ayamashe will be served and Golden Sella are supporting this.

"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 them as Canuk celebrates 20 years. 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."

Toyin Balogun, Canuk's social secretary, added: This year's event is going to have everything with top music from DJ Jaido, there will be a special Old School CD/USB stick on sale for just £10 and there will be a sumptuous menu. Kato Enterprises, another one of "our sponsors have offered to supply us with alcoholic beverages.

Other sponsors backing the event include funeral care company Homeland International, money transfer operation Unity Link, Lagos property developer Cruxstone. Also backing the event are Providus Bank, Glo Currency, Zenith Bank, Lemfi, Radiant Money, Ades Supermarket, Mobihealth and Kato Enterprises.

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 £30 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.