Canuk's first ever river-bound AGM takes place with Providus Bank offering future sponsorship

NIGERIA'S UK diaspora community created history yesterday when the Central Association of Nigerians in the UK (Canuk) held its first ever annual general meeting (AGM) aboard the boat MV Emerald along the River Thames.

In an initiative floated by the Canuk executive committee, a partnership was entered into with Providus Bank, who sponsored the hiring of the boat. Sailing from Festival Pier near Waterloo, the boat took off at 12 noon and then docked back  at the end of proceedings at 5pm.

During the event, the AGM approved the members of the Canuk advisory board and passed a constitutional amendment that would allow former executives to stand for office. Delegates were also presented with the annual accounts by the Canuk financial secretary Princess Christian-Iwuagwu.

Princess Moradeun Adedoyin-Solarin, Canuk's publicity secretary, who MC'd the event, said it was a great success as for the first time, the AGM was a mixture of business and fun. She added that the icing on the cake was that this year's event attracted sponsorship from Providus Bank who funded the day out.

Opening the meeting, Bukar Abdulsalam, the head of the welfare and information department in the high commission, said that the mission will always support Canuk. He added that the high commission would also always welcome constructive criticism to help it improve its operations.

Walter Akpani the Providus Bank managing director, told delegates that his bank would be sponsoring Canuk's AGM for the next five years. He added that apart from getting diasporans to open accounts, Providus wants to give them bank verification numbers and offer them other packages like mortgages and business loans.

Delegates were given an hour to ask the executive committee questions  after which certificates were handed out to new members. They were then treated to a sumptuous Nigerian lunch after which the dance floor was open.