By Milton Tella – Nigeria-Britain Association (N-BA), held the 62ndNigerian Independence Day celebration at Rembrandt Hotel South Kensington, London on Saturday 8th October 2022.
The event provided the opportunity for N-BA to honour five individuals that embody the values that the Association promotes – Excellence, Cultural Inclusivity and Friendship between Nigeria and Britain.
In her welcome address, Ms Abimbola Okoya, the President N-BA offered condolences to the royal family on the recent transitioning of Her Majesty, the Queen of England. She said, “We will forever remember her legacy, and in the same breath congratulate His Majesty, King Charles lll, may he have a successful reign.”
Ms Abimbola Okoya acknowledged the members of the planning committee and the support of Vice Patron, Mr. Philip Hall OBE and the Immediate Past President and Chairman of the Events Committee, Mr. Shola Tinubu.
Ms Okoya said, ”On behalf of our Patron, Vice Patrons, Vice President, Council Members and Members, I would also like to specially thank His Excellency, Ambassador Sarafa Tunji Isola OFR, the High Commissioner of Nigeria to the UK, for supporting the Nigeria-Britain Association on all our events in the UK and beyond.
We appreciate you Sir and all the members of the Nigerian High Commission who have continuously supported us over the years. On a personal note, Sir, thank you for accepting me as a daughter and supporting my endeavours with this great Association. Words cannot truly appreciate my sincere gratitude. Thank you once again Sir.
I would also like to thank our esteemed event partners First Bank Nigeria UK, SCIB, Nigeria LNG, Eleganza, NEM and Digital Marketing Skills Institute UK and our event supporters and volunteers. They included Sonia our avid supporter, Jennifer Obaseki our articulate host and my niece, Wonu, who would be performing tonight. Thank you all, we truly appreciate you.
The Nigeria-Britain Association (N-BA) is a non-profit making trust dedicated to developing relationships between individuals and organisations in Nigeria and Britain. Its primary objectives are to promote friendship between Nigeria and Britain through the exchange of culture and encourage sponsorship for public good. The N-BA was formed in Nigeria in 1969 as a corresponding association now known as the British-Nigeria Education Trust, which is based in the UK and has the late H.R.H. Prince Philip, the Duke of Edinburgh as its patron. The Association also organises social, cultural and business activities designed to bring together friends and associates from Nigeria, Britain and the Commonwealth with a collective vision to impact positively on the community.
The Association’s key objectives are to:
- Encourage the exchange of culture and build relationships between Nigeria and Britain.
- Engage in sponsorship for social causes and general public good.
- Build working relationships with government, private enterprises and enjoy reputational benefits.
In 2021, we launch our new strategic direction called the big I.D.E.A. which looks at Inclusivity, Diversity, Empowerment and Agility as the bedrock in which all our flagship events and activities would be anchored. That is why at this year’s N-BA Independence Day Celebration, themed Striving for Excellence while Celebrating the Icons, we are paying homage to some distinguished and outstanding individuals who uphold friendship, cultural inclusivity and excellence through their actions which have contributed to the development and positive representation of Nigeria. Thereby helping to further strengthen and uphold brand Nigeria at home and abroad.
Today’s Nigerian Independence Day Celebration event has become even more significant, with the growing number of Nigeria’s in the UK diaspora. It is important that we remain resilient and are able to hold our heads up high and proudly say, we are Nigerians.
I conclude by congratulating all the award winners, while encouraging them to do more. I would also encourage corporate organisation and individuals who are not members of the N-BA to consider joining us and being part of the movement that fosters sustainable friendship for the common good of others.”
His Excellency, Ambassador Sarafa Tunji Isola OFR in his keynote address said, “The Nigeria Britain Association is an organisation that l strongly believe that if we strengthen it, some of those core objectives which we intend to achieve between Nigeria and Britain will be achievable because what we have here are credible people.”
The entertaining evening ended with guests enjoying light music and a three-course meal.
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