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At Canuk's recent AGM, held aboard the luxurious MV Sapphire on Saturday, June 8, approximately 150 delegates gathered for a six-hour session to address the challenges facing the Nigerian community in the UK. This unique event combined business with pleasure, as the boat cruised along the River Thames. Delegates enjoyed delectable Nigerian cuisine and melodious tunes spun by DJ Deoba Authentic. Nigeria's Acting High Commissioner to the UK, Ambassador Cyprian Heen, attended the event with his wife. In his address, he encouraged delegates to consistently project a positive image of Nigeria. Ambassador Heen highlighted the prominent role Nigerians play in British society, noting their remarkable achievements and ambitions, which collectively enhance Nigeria's reputation. Explore the captivating photos from this memorable event.

Representatives of CANUK Executive attended a Thanksgiving service at Christ Faith Tabernacle, London on Sunday 28 June. The minister's message for African to get involved in local politics via school governors or Councillors or even in their work place resonated with the almost 500 seat congregation. First generation Nigerians that came to this country in the sixties were always going home and therefore did not in general develop deep roots on this society. As the new generation we will have to accept that apart from holidays or visiting relatives we may never formally return to live in Nigeria with partial electricity etc. Therefore making an impact in this society and helping Africans and Nigerians in this society's developed and prosper is just as important.

The Ekinrin-Adde Community Development Association (EACDA UK) held a royal reception on Satuday 27 July 2019, in Dartford, London for HRH Oba Anthony Bamigbaiye Idowu - The Olu-Adde of Ekirine-Adde Land. The aim of the event was to deliver equipment and tools for primary health care in Ekinrin Adde Cottage Clinic. In his message Oba Bamigbaiye encouraged people to raise funds to support the Community hospital back home in Ekirine-Adde Land. He also commended the good work CANUK. Oba Bamigbaiye thanked the High Commissioner and his wife, CANUK, indigences of Ekirine-Adde Lan and well wishers for gracing the event.

The Central Association of Nigerians in the UK (CANUK) held a send-off dinner for Mr Emmanuel Namah, the Minister for Consular, Education & Welfare at the Holiday Inn, Kensington, London, on Friday 19 July 2019. The black tie event was attended by CANUK member organisations and staff of the Nigeria High Commission. Dr Boma Douglas, chairman of CANUK gave a speech thanking Mr Namah for his selfless service over the years and that he has left a legacy that will go a long way in further uniting the Nigerian Community. He also noted that the theme of the current Executive Council is to project excellence within the Nigerian Community which is in line with this legacy. Mr Namah was presented with an award by the Association and several well wishers also gave gifts and speeches. ​ In his response Mr Namah thanked CANUK for organising the reception and the warm sentiment severally expressed. He advised the CANUK and member organisations to continue the acidulous work of unifying the community. He reminded them of their collective responsibility to set an example of being the united force and voice of reason. He advised member organisations to rally around CANUK to make it stronger and more viable. Mr Namah also admonished CANUK to reach out to the community.

The Professionals in Accounting & Commerce (PAC) held a successful business seminar on 16 March 2018 on Africa/UK Trade - Investment and Career Opportunities, Post Brexit – impact on British/African professionals living in the UK. The seminar took place at the Nigeria High Commission, 9 Northumberland Avenue, London WC2N 5BX. The Special Guest of Honour was His Excellency, Ambassador George Adesola Oguntage, CFR, CON, Nigerian High Commissioner to the UK. Special guest invited included: Mr Richard Taylor, Damilola Taylor Trust, Deacon Charles Sylvester, PAC Patron and the Chair of the Nigerian Ports Authority. Excellent presentations on a number of different specialisms were delivered by the following speakers: Ambassador George Adesola Oguntage, Nigerian High Commissioner to the UK. The Ambassador opened the seminar and provided excellent insights in doing business in Nigeria, Post Brexit, with a focus on the opportunities, the political climate and ethics. Ahmed Sule, Minister and Head of Industry Trade and Investment, Nigerian High Commissioner The Minister supported the Ambassador and during the interactive session with the delegates, was an excellent champion, encouraging delegates to support investment in Nigeria. Professor Chris Imafidon, Chair, Excellence in Education Programme, Advisor to Monarch, Governments, Presidents, Corporate Leaders and Non-Executive Directors. Professor Chris delivered his excellent presentation on the ‘Discover the Silver Linings in the Post- BREXIT clouds’ – the formula for finding the HIDDEN opportunities for the EU-UK split by entrepreneurs, Employees and Students. He concluded by advising that the “The secret of post-Brexit lies in insight not information”. Chris Disu, Accountant, Damilola Taylor Trust Chris gave an overview of the Damilola Taylor’s Trust City 2018 Careers Pathway programme and encouraged the youth to apply for this amazing opportunity. Mduduzi Mswabuki Talked about Career in Financial Services; - demand for new skills including impact on young people and career changers, retraining and repositioning foe new opportunities Dr Joseph Ikhalia Talked about Cybersecurity as an emerging socio-political and economic weapon to prepare for opportunities, post Brexit. Tunji Ogedengbe Delivered a presentation on Financial Education and tools to help planning for the future. The seminar was an excellent opportunity to hear first-hand from the Ambassador and Minister of Trade on the ethics of doing trade in Nigeria. The Silver Linings in the Post- BREXIT clouds presentation from Professor Chris Imafidon was so insightful and has helped many of the delegates to start thinking of the various opportunities, post BREXIT. The seminar finished with the Investiture of PAC’s Patron, Deacon Charles Sylvester for his service and dedication to the community – thoroughly deserved honour and the interactive session which was a fantastic opportunity to network and share business and career opportunities. PAC is an association, established to promote the relationship between accounting professionals and the business world/commerce. Our members are Accountants or business people who work in a number of sectors including public, private, practice, voluntary sector. PAC’s objectives includes promoting knowledge of the accounting profession, entrepreneurship, commerce and carrying out charitable projects in the community. If you would like to become a member of PAC or attend the next seminar as a sponsor, speaker or delegate, please contact: Website: www.paclondon.org.uk Flora Njoku (Chair) fnjoku@aol.com 07799445 620 Sheryl Coker (Secretary coker313@yahoo.com 07804655540

FEMALE campaign group the Nigerian Women in Diaspora Leadership Forum (NWIDLF) held an international seminar on 10 March 2018 during which it charged its members to push the boundaries on gender equality to the next level by refusing to accept glass ceilings.


At the seminar held over the weekend in central London to mark International Women's Day, several high profile speakers pointed out how all sorts of obstacles were placed in their career paths but they defied them all. Among the speakers who spoke were Councillor Soraya Adejare , the Speaker of Hackney; Florence Eshalomi AM the member of the Greater London Authority (GLA) for Southwark and Lambeth and Ivana Bartoletti, the chair of the Fabian's Women's Network.


In her opening remarks, NWIDLF president Susan Fajana-Thomas, herself a councillor and former speaker of Hackney, remarked about how it has been 100 years since women got the vote in the UK. She pointed out that although women now have the right to vote just like men, they need to take this a step further by demanding to be voted for in the same numbers as their male counterparts.


GLA member Eshalomi MA said: "When I first became a councillor in Lambeth, there were only three from ethnic minority backgrounds and I was an additional rarity as a black woman. A lot of people found it odd that I should be their representative but I was determined to make a mark and made sure that I acted on all representations made to me.


"Since then, I have gone into the GLA and I have taken this approach with me whereby I am keen to let them know that a woman can be just as effective as a man. I will be giving up my seat in Lambeth at the next local government election but my replacement is also going to be a black woman."


Councillor Soraya Adejare added: "When women were given the right to vote, there were also given the right to be voted for. We need to step up the demand that our voices be heard as if we do not, limitations will always be placed on our aspirations.


"Never let anyone else determine your value of your worth as you should be the one to decide if you are capable of doing something or not. In politics, decisions are taken that affect all of us, so if we women want decisions that will favour us, we need to get involved in the political process."


NWIDLF founder and former president Jenny Okafor, called on women's organisations to pool their resources together so they can speak with one voice on these issues. Other speakers highlighted how all sorts of glass ceilings were placed in their ways in the workplace and they had to be twice as good as their male colleagues to scale such hurdles.


Nigerian Woman in Diaspora Leadership Forum encourages the Women and the girl child to explore, cultivate and embrace her full leadership potentials and utilize the same in creating an enabling environment where the contribution of women in nation building is recognised in perpetuity.


For further info please contact https://m.facebook.com/groups/103127506414866

On Monday 29 January 2018, Late Gregory Okechukwu Abani was given a farewell befitting of a worthy community leader, husband, father and friend. The funeral which was held at St. Francis de Sales Church, Tottenham was well attended by members of the Nigerian community, family and friends. This was followed by a short service at Enfield crematorium. At celebration of his life, community leaders spoke of Late Gregory Okechukwe Abani's contributions to Ebonyi State Union and the Nigerian Community in the United Kingdom and how he was a great mentor and role model. A ceremony was also held at MSC Abani's Compound, Amaha, Ebonyi State, Nigeria. He will be surely missed. CANUK Chairman, Dr Boma Douglas with Dr Mark Abani, former CANUK Chairman and brother of the deceased . Members of CANUK Executive with Community Leaders Dr Nnanna Igwe ,former President Ebonyi State Union UK President Ebonyi Union UK - Chima Olugh Councillor Kate Anolue speaking at the event CANUK Chairman, Dr Boma Douglas

The Executive Committee of CANUK commiserate with Ebonyi State Union UK on the loss of their former President, Mr Gregory Okechukwu Abani who sadly passed away on 27 December 2017. Mr Abani was an illustrious son of Ebonyi State and the younger brother of the first Chairman of CANUK, Dr Mark Abani. May his soul rest in peace.

The Central Association of Nigerians in the UK (CANUK) held its first Annual Legal Awareness Day on December 8, 2017 at the Nigerian High Commission, Northumberland Avenue, London. The theme of this year's seminar was "Know your Legal Rights and Duties". Speakers at the event were experienced professionals who are renowned experts in their respective fields. They gave a legal framework of their respective topics, discussed the challenges and consequences of failure to abide by rules and how we can protect and advance our rights under UK law. The Host of Honuor was His Excellency Ambassador George Adesola Ogunade, CFR, CON. He was represented at the event by the Welfare Minister, Mr Emmanuel Namah who gave the opening remarks. There were opening speeches from CANUK Chairman, Dr Boma Douglas and Juliet Benson, the Legal Secretary. Speakers included Liz Ikiriko-Onabowu, Anita Rawal, Euphemia Chukwu, Dr Folasade Olajubu and David Thomas.

The new Nigerian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom His Excellency Ambassador George Adesola Oguntade, CON, CFR, presenting his letter of credence to Her Majesty at Buckingham Palace.

Ambassador George Adesola Oguntade, CFR, CON, High Commissioner of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to the United Kingdom assumed duty at the Nigeria High Commission on 9th October, 2017. He is a retired Justice of the Nigeria’s apex court, the Supreme Court of Nigeria. He was born in Ijebu-Ode in the old Western Nigeria on March 10, 1940. He attended Ijebu-Ode Grammar School between 1953 and 1958. Thereafter he proceeded to Holborn College of Law [University of London], UK (1961-1964); and the Nigerian Law School, Lagos in 1965. He was called to the Nigerian Bar on January 15, 1966. He was in private legal practice for 14 years and was appointed a Judge of the Lagos State High Court in 1980, and then the Court of Appeal in 1988, and in May 19 2004, he was elevated to the highest court of the land, Supreme Court of Nigeria where he served meritoriously till March 10, 2010 having attained the mandatory retirement age of 70 years. Undoubtedly, one of the sharpest legal minds that ever sat on the Higher Bench in Nigeria. In his service on the Bench, he made his mark in the advancement of the nation’s legal system, even at great risk to his person. His many strategic postings included Chairman, Lagos State Armed Robbery & Firearms Tribunal, Justice of the Court of Appeal, Enugu, Ibadan, and Presiding Justice, Court of Appeal in Jos, Lagos, and Federal Capital Territory, Abuja. He was finally elevated to be Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria in 2004 In the year 2005, Justice Oguntade (rtd) was conferred with the National Honours of Commander of the Order of the Niger (CON), and in 2010 Commander of the Federal Republic (CFR). Justice Oguntade (rtd) was President of the Rotary Club of Ogba in 1985. Between 1992 and 1999, he was the Chancellor of the Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), and since 1992, he remained Chancellor, Anglican Diocese of Lagos till May 2017 when he was appointed as an Ambassador by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. He is a member of the Lagos Motor Boat Club, Island Club, Ikoyi Club, and Yoruba Tennis Club. He is actively interested in church and philanthropic activities. Ambassador Oguntade is happily married to Modupeola Adewemimo and blessed with children and grand children. He enjoys playing golf. Ambassador George Adesola Oguntade with his wife Modupe Oguntade

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