Nigerian UK community celebrates independence day in unique way with quiz

NIGERIA'S diaspora community in the UK marked the country's 62nd independence day in a unique manner yesterday by holding a quiz organised among its member organisations aimed at improving their knowledge of the country.

Organised by the Central Association of Nigerians in the UK (Canuk), the quiz involved three categories including Nigerian history, sports and entertainment. Anchored by veteran broadcaster and MC Princess Moradeun Adedoyin, the quiz which was virtual, was attended by the high commissioner Ambassador Sarafa Ishola and the chair of the Nigerian Diaspora Commission Hon Abike Dabiri-Erewa.

Laced with a little entertainment and a few independence day addresses, the event got underway at around 12 noon. After an engaging series of questioning, the judges declared the Nigerian Community in Birmingham as the winners of the quiz, with the Ibadan Grammar School UK Alumni Association coming second and the Nigerian Disability Association UK coming third.

In his address, Ambassador Ishola urged Nigerians not to give up hope on the country, pointing out that Nigeria is going through challenges but these are all surmountable. He pointed out that even the most developed nations in the world once had these kind of problems but came through them thanks to their perseverance.

Hon Dabiri-Erewa, who joined the quiz from Uganda, said she decided to spend independence day with the Nigerian community there as part of a programme to meet the diaspora. In her speech, she too reiterated that the challenges of today can all be overcome and urged Nigerians to use the opportunity of elections next year to elect good leaders who would make the country better.

Canuk chairman Ayo Akinfe said: "We decided to opt for something new by going for this novel concept of a Nigerian quiz. For us, the idea behind the quiz was to improve our collective knowledge of Nigeria and to use it as an opportunity to engage our member organisations.

"We thought that it we made the independence day celebrations virtual and intellectual, it would set us up for a grand party in December. In the run-up to Christmas, we will be having a gala dinner on December 17, which shall be taking place at Decorium in north London, where we expect about 650 guests."

Doyin Ola, Canuk's social secretary, added that the winners of the quiz and the first and second runners-up, would be given prizes. She added that these would be in the form of gift vouchers.