BA offers Canuk two tickets for its end of year gala dinner

BA has offered the Central Association of Nigerians in the UK (Canuk) two return tickets from London to Lagos as its contribution to the forthcoming end-of-year party taking place in London on December 17.

Taking place at Regency Banqueting Suite in Tottenham, Canuk's gala dinner, which kicks off with a red carpet reception at 6pm,  has been tagged Reuniting the Community After the Lockdown. Put together as a classy event, the Canuk dinner will involve a three course dinner, music, live entertainment raffle draw and plenty of dancing.

In addition, a few initiatives will also be announced including the admission of about 15 new member associations, who will be awarded welcome certificates on the night. To be attended by the Nigerian high commissioner to the UK, Ambassador Sarafa Ishola and his wife, the event will also include a raffle draw, which is where BA has stepped in to offer two juicy prizes.

Kicking off what could be a long-term partnership, BA will also be supplying carrier bags on the night into which goodies will be placed. Other sponsors backing the dinner include telecommunications giant White Calling, Ades Supermarket and food retail chain Tropical Sun.

White Calling for instance  is offering £5 worth of calling cards to every guests, placing them in goody bags supplied by BA. Every guest who attends will get one of these cards and will be asked to scratch it off and download the data on to their phones on the night.

Mary Brew, BA's community investment manager, said: "Nigeria is one of our key markets, with the Lagos to London route being one of our core markets. Given the importance of the Nigerian market to our operations, it is no surprise that we are backing Canuk on this one as the Nigerian diaspora in the UK are among some of our most important customers.

"Two lucky winners will pick up BA's tickets on Friday in the raffle draw. BA is very proud to be the company that supports Nigerian community initiatives in the UK, especially after the recent tough times with coronavirus."

Canuk chairman, Ayo Akinfe, said: "We are delighted to enter into this partnership with BA and hope that going forward, we will work together on several other projects. We are the largest Afro-Caribbean community in the UK, the world's largest black nation and Africa's biggest economy, all of which makes it pertinent that we lead the way in many areas.

"Canuk will be involved is several community projects next year covering numerous areas including youth empowerment, recovery from coronavirus, combating knife crime, promoting out African culture, etc and hopefully, we  can work with BA on this. Under its corporate social responsibility programme, BA is committed to working with community organisations.

Doyin Owoeye, Canuk's social secretary, added that the new member associations who will receive welcome certificates on the night include the Nigerian Students Union UK, the Nigerians in Community Essex, the Nigerian Community in Rochdale, the Nigerian Community in Nottinghamshire, the Egba United Society, the Nigerian Disability Association UK, the Association of Professional Wedding Engagement Coordinators of Nigeria UK Chapter and Hussey College Warri Old Students Association UK. They will be joined by organisations who have just applied for membership including Nigerian Community in East London, Isoko Ladies League UK, Brent Nigerian Community, Nigerian Community in South Wales, the Association of Nigerian Wellness and Fitness Professionals in the UK, the Nigerian Community in Exeter, the Association of Nigerian Wellness and Fitness Professionals in the UK and Diaspora of Nigeria Organisation Worldwide.

Asking everyone to be prepared for a great time, Ms Owoeye urged all guests to come wearing a touch of green, Nigeria's national colours. She pleaded with everyone attending to take the precaution of a rapid flow test 36 hours before Friday and upload the results on to their phones.