Canuk to organise multi-faith memorial service for fallen heroes on August 7

NIGERIANS heroes who lost their lives over the last year-and-a-half including those that succumbed to the dreaded coronavirus pandemic will be honoured at a special multi-faith service on August 7 organised by the Central Association of Nigerians in the UK (Canuk).

In what will be the first major public outing of the new Canuk executive committee and the first post-lockdown major event, all the heroes and heroines who lost their lives will be honoured on the day. Taking place at St Olaves Church Hall in Manor House in north London, the multi-faith memorial service will be followed by a reception in the church hall.

Venerable Prebendary Tunde Roberts of St Olaves Church and Alhaji Abdul Hakeem Omotosho of Camberwell Islamic Centre will be the presiding clergymen. Starting at about 1.30pm, the service will last about an hour and will then be followed by a reception that will include food, entertainment and live music.

Canuk chairman, Ayo Akinfe, said: "This will not only be an appropriate way to remember our fallen heroes but it will also be our first major outing following the end of the lockdown. Over the last year, the Nigerian community UK has lost so many precious lives to the cold hands of death and it is only right that we gather to honour them.

"This will also be our first public event as an executive committee since we assumed office on May 22 and will kick-start our social programmes for the year. We have a very ambitious programme aimed at galvanising the community, revitalising Canuk, engaging with our member organisations and attracting hundreds of new others, so we need to be visible."

According to Doyin Ola, Canuk's social secretary, this event is being organised to enhance unity and love within the Nigerian community,. She added that August 7 would be a day for everyone, with all faiths represented, so nobody feels left out and all those who lost their loved ones, which includes health workers, community leaders and public servants, are duly honoured.