Youth development minister to deliver keynote address at Canuk's 20th anniversary

NIGERIA'S minister of youth development Ayodele Olawande has agreed to deliver the keynote address at the Central Association of Nigerians in the UK's (Canuk) 20th anniversary celebrations taking place in London on May 24.

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. At the event, where past Canuk executives will be presented with awards, high commission staff, dignitaries and sponsors will mingle with members of the diaspora community.

Having heard about the event, Mr Olawande agreed to attend and deliver the keynote address during which he will launch his Youth Economic Intervention and De-Radicalization Programme (Yeidep) in the UK. He will accompanied by an entourage that includes the Yeidep coordinator-general Kennedy Iyere and his team.

Mr Iyere said: "Since Yeidep was created by the government, we have planned a diaspora roadshow programme that would entail us taking the message to both Nigerians abroad and foreign investors. Thanks to Canuk, we can now kick-start this programme in London and hopefully in the process, attract a few investors, both Nigerian and foreign, who will come back and provide jobs for our youth."

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. Toyin Balogun, Canuk's social secretary, said that 13 past executive committee members will be presented with plaques in recognition of their selfless service.

Mrs Balogun added: "This event is going to have everything with top music from DJ Jaido, 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."

In what will be a very busy evening, food distribution company, Tropical Sun, one of the main sponsors of the event, will be offering bags of 5kg discounted Golden Sella rice to guests for just £7.50. Usually available for about £11.50 in retail stores, the 5kg bags will be made available to guests who attend the anniversary.

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.

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.