Canuk AGM starts at 12 noon aboard MV Emerald on River Thames this Saturday

NIGERIA'S diaspora community in the UK will hold its 2022 annual general meeting on Saturday May 21 onboard the MV Emerald boat along the River Thames in an unprecedented break with tradition.

Historically, the Central Association of Nigerians in the UK (Canuk) has held its AGM at the high commission's premises but of late, the association was forced to hold virtual meetings due to lockdown precipitated by the Covid-19 pandemic. This time around however, the Canuk executive committee has opted to have the AGM on a boat in true corporate fashion.

This AGM is one of five  major events Canuk plans to hold this year. Others include am online Democracy Day quiz on June 12, a Nigerian Cultural Day UK that will take place in August, an independence day seminar on October 1 and an end-of-the-year gala dinner in December, taking place on Saturday December 17.

Canuk's 2022 AGM is being sponsored by Providus Bank, who will be offering Canuk delegates bank verification numbers (BVN) while opening accounts for them. This year's AGM will kick off around 12 noon on Festival Pier opposite Waterloo station. Delegates will be treated to lunch aboard the boat in an event lasting from 12 noon until 5pm, with light entertainment kicking in after deliberations conclude around 4pm.

Canuk general secretary Titi Danso, said: "For the first time in the history of Canuk, we have decided to hold the AGM on the Rivers Thames. Providus Bank approached us to sponsor the event in exchange for them being given access to delegates to sell the idea of BVN to them.

"This fits in with our idea of offering a range of goodies to those who are members of Canuk associations. Going forward, we are looking at offering our members a Canuk embossed credit card, a BVN, a discounted national identity number (Nin), discounted shopping at selected stores and maybe access to a Nigerian drivers licence too."

This year's AGM will be attended by about 100 organisations, the first time ever that such a large number of associations have been members of Canuk. Delegates will also have the opportunity of opening bank accounts with Providus Bank, getting a BVN and applying for a Nin on the day.

Princess Moradeun Adedoyin-Solarin, Canuk's publicity secretary, advised all delegates to please get to Festival Pier by Waterloo station by 11.30am on May 21 as the boat has to set sail at 12 noon. She added that there will be one stop off at 2.45pm for those who wish to leave early.