Record number of nominations received for Uncelebrated Nigerians Awards UK

ORGANISERS of the Nigerian Uncelebrated Awards (UNA) UK have revealed that they received a record number of nominations for this year's forthcoming event following the closing of the exercise yesterday.

UNA 2017 is due to take place at the Mayfair Banqueting Suite in Chadwell Heath on September 30 and will feature the handing out of 57 awards to unsung heroes and deserving Nigerians in the UK. Now in its second year, the event will be a classy gala dinner that will attract community leaders, guests from Nigeria and high commission officials.

Organised to honour ordinary Nigerians in the UK who are excelling in numerous fields, the awards ceremony has been organised to honour ordinary Nigerians who have generally been overlooked in the past. Last year's event saw 56 awards handed out and in 2017, the figure will rise to 57 in recognition of the number of years Nigeria has been an independent nation.

Ronke Udofia, the chair of the UNA awards sub-committee, said: "Last year was a huge success as we honoured people who had hitherto never been given awards. This year we will be giving out 57 awards and set ourselves the target of getting about three times the number of awardees, so are very happy that we have achieved that.

"Unlike other awards ceremonies that only honour public figures and VIPs, UNA recognises ordinary working Nigerians in the UK like bus drivers, teachers, care workers, train conductors, etc. Now that nominations have closed, we will go through the entries and shortlist the best 57 based on our scoring system."

Bola Ganiyu, the chair of UNA's events management sub-committee added: "Now that nominations have closed, we will make sure UNA 2017 is the bomb. We have secured the hall until 4am in the morning and the night will be a mixture of awards, entertainment and fun.

"Among the entertainers we are planning to bring include stand-up comedian Kenny Blaq, Whizkid and there will be a host of other entertainers performing on the night too. We will have DJ Kachif on the turntables and the food will be a true representation of authentic Nigerian cuisine."

Malcolm Benson, the chair of the publicity and marketing sub-committee added that for just £50 for standard tickets and £75 for VIP tickets, guests will be treated to an evening they will never forget. He added that one good feature of this year's nominees is that there were a lot of candidates from the regions of England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, so it will truly be representative of the Nigerian community in the UK.

Organising committee vice coordinator June Douglas, said: "With there unlikely to be an official independence day party organised by the high commission in the UK this year, UNA 2017 will be the independence day bash. Our event will run into the morning of October 1, so will serve as the main independence day event in the UK."

She added that among the distinguished guests who have been invited to UNA 2017 include the acting high commissioner Simon Ogah, the chair of the House of Representatives Committee on the Diaspora Rita Orji, the special adviser to the president on diaspora affairs Abike Dabiri-Erewa and the Ooni of Ife Oba Adeyeye Ogunwusi. According to Mrs Douglas, this year's event will set a tone for future independence day celebrations in the UK.

Ayan De First, the chair of UNA's sponsorship sub-committee added: "We are keen to make this a memorable event, so have stepped up our quest for sponsors, to make it corporate and sustainable. We are also hoping that this sets a benchmark for how awards ceremonies are organised by the Nigerian community in the UK."

Chief Adebayo Oladimeji, the chairman of the Nigerian Council of Elders in the UK, added: "This is the second year they are holding this event and I think it is a good initiative. For the first time, ordinary Nigerians in the UK, who have nothing to do with showbiz, politics, commerce or sports are being honoured and recognised."

Dr Boma Douglas, the chairman of the Central Association of Nigerians in the UK (Canuk), added that his body is supporting the event wholeheartedly, as it provides a means of reaching out to many diasporans who were hitherto not involved. He added that Canuk will be looking to engage many of the awardees and nominees in its future activities.