Association of British Law Enforcement Officers urges members to nominate eligible colleagues for Uncelebrated Nigerian Awards UK

ASSOCIATION of British Law Enforcement Officers (Able) chairperson Kehinde Onibokun has urged members of her body and all law enforcement officers of Nigerian heritage to celebrate themselves by nominating their colleagues or honours at the  Uncelebrated Nigerians Awards (UNA) UK.

Taking place in London taking place at the Mayfair Banqueting Suite on September 30, UNA is a dedicated awards ceremony for unsung heroes designed to honour hardworking and toiling Nigerians across the UK. Last year, several Nigerian law enforcement officers in the UK like policeman Etuk Nsikan were all honoured at UNA 2016.

This year, UNA 2017 will be holding on September 30 at the same venue, the Mayfair Banqueting Suite in Chadwell Heath where 57 Nigerians will be honoured in recognition for their contribution to society. Nominations for the awards are currently open and Ms Onibokun has urged her members to actively participate by going to www.uncelebratednigeriansawardsuk.org to nominate eligible colleagues.

Able chairperson, Ms Onibokun intends embarking on a wide-ranging consultation programme to recruit more members. This will involve conducting a survey of current members to find out their concerns and reach out to non-members with a view to bringing them into the fold.

Ms Onibokun said: "We need to raise the profile of Able and attract every Nigerian law enforcement officers working in the UK into the association. One way of doing that is getting our current members to nominate their colleagues for UNA so that the whole world can see the hard work they put in and the professionalism which they exhibit daily.

"As we know, UNA is about honouring unsung heroes and I think law enforcement officers are among some of the most dedicated professionals we have in our community. They work in areas such as crime, transportation, families, immigration etc, doing a lot of wonderful things and I think it is time they get recognised and UNA offers them with the perfect platform to do that."

UNA coordinator Ayo Akinfe added: "Our event is unique in that it involves the handing out of awards to Nigerian heroes who have excelled in numerous fields of endeavour. One of the criteria for receiving a UNA award is that you must not have been given a community honour before and we all know that there are hundreds of law enforcement officers out there working tirelessly who do not get appreciated for all they do.

"When one looks at the efforts our law enforcement professionals put into the matters such as crime management, immigration and ensuring children are protected in family matters and assisting people, you can only but admire their dedication. I think it is time we stop taking them for granted and start appreciating the good work they do."

This year's event will see 57 awards handed out in recognition of the number of years Nigeria has been an independent nation. Starting at 8pm and lasting until 3am, it will also feature entertainment with music, live performances, stand-up comedy all on the bill, with entertainers like saxophonist Kakaki, Deoba Authentic and DJ Kashif Da Flash all featuring on the night.

Ms Onibokun added: "When you look at some of the Nigerians we deal with on a daily basis, many of them are also honest toiling citizens in the UK who deserve recognition. I am hoping that our members also nominate a lot of them and they make the shortlist of 57 as they deserve recognition for their contribution to society."

Among the dignitaries invited to UNA 2017 are the special assistant to the president on diaspora affairs Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa, the Ooni of Ife Oba Babatunde Ogunwusi Ojaja II, the Alake of Egbaland Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo III, the Osemawe of Ondoland Oba Victor Olasimbo Kiladejo and the Nigerian high commissioner to the UK. Along with other dignitaries, they will be among those handing out awards on the night.