Hundreds of Nigerians in the UK turn out to celebrate with former mayor of Enfield Kate Anolue

HUNDREDS of Nigerians in the UK turned out yesterday to celebrate with the former mayor of Enfield Chief Kate Anolue as she held a celebration of life for her late mother Princess Veronica Ezeasor who passed away in July.

 

At the event which held at the Community School Hall on Worcester Avenue in Tottenham, Nigerians from all communities in the UK turned up to celebrate the occasion. There were cultural displays, a few live performances from entertainers and citations were read out by the numerous organisations which Chief Anolue has supported over the years.

 

Princess Ezasor, 91, passed away on July 27 in her home town of Nanka in Orumba North Local Government Area of Anambra State. She is to be buried later this month but before the formal funeral in Nigeria, a celebration of life was held in the UK and organisations like the Nigerian Catholic Chaplaincy in the UK, the Nigerian Women in Diaspora Leadership Forum (NWIDLF), the Ada Ure Igbo Women's Association and the Central Association of Nigerians in the UK (Canuk), all mobilised their members to turn out en mass.

 

Dr Boma Douglas, the Canuk chairman, said: "Kate Anolue is a solid member of our community, who is always there for everyone whenever you need her. Given her selfless service to everyone, it is only right that today, we all turned up to stand by her as she celebrates the life of her mother."

 

Susan Fajana-Thomas, the NWIDLF president, added: "Chief Anolue is one of our most respected and revered members and we thus believe it is obligatory for us to come and stand by her in her hour of need. This was a wonderful event that featured cultural displays, entertainment, Nigerian cuisine and also had a religious contribution."

 

Chief Adebayo Oladimeji, the chairman of the Nigerian Council of Elders, said: "Kate Anolue is one of the most selfless Nigerians in the UK that I have ever come across. She has served as a mayor, as a community leader, as a religious leader and it is thus no surprise that the community has turned out in such large numbers to support her."

 

Chief Anolue said: "I am overwhelmed by the love and support shown by everyone and am truly humbled by the way so many people have turned out to honour my late mother. This will linger on my mind as myself and my family now travel to Nigeria for the formal burial."

 

Other community leaders who paid tribute to Chief Anolue included Ayo Akinfe, the chairman of Uncelebrated Nigerians Awards UK, Felicity Okolo, the secretary of Ada Ure Igbo Women's Association, Dr Victoria Oladimeji, the president of the Anambra Women's Union and June Douglas, the president of the Kalabari Central Organisation. Also in attendance on the night was Malcolm Benson, the president of the Okija Union UK and Theodora Oyebade, the president of the Nollywood Actors Guild UK.

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