Anniversary in London
The Nigeria-Britain Association (N-BA) has held its inaugural Independence Day Celebration in London, the United Kingdom to commemorate Nigeria’s 61st Independence anniversary, in partnership with SCIB Nigeria and Co., NEM Insurance Plc, Eleganza Group of Companies, United Bank for Africa, FCMB Bank UK Limited, FBN UK and Leventis Foundation. The event, which took place on Friday, October 8, 2021 at Prince Phillip House, was highlighted by music and art exhibition. It was organized in collaboration with Ade Bakare Couture, London.
The occasion marked the Nigeria-Britain Association’s first outing in the United Kingdom. Attendees at the event who were mostly Nigerians in the diaspora were serenaded with contemporary music. Also, there were artworks on display, which took the Nigeria diaspora community on a psychological journey home. Remarkably, the event channelled Nigeria’s cultural diversity and the unifying power of music to Nigerians and Britons alike.
In a keynote address, the President, N-BA, Abimbola Okoya, noted that the duality of the nationality of the Association necessitated the Independence Day celebration in the United Kingdom.
Speaking on the new strategic direction for the N-BA known as The Big I.D.E.A (Inclusivity, Diversity, Empowerment, and Agility), Okoya said that “the mission of the N-BA is actually to create a platform through several events organized by the N-BA or by different organisations in Nigeria, the United Kingdom or any other part of the world,” adding that “When people come together, they meet, they network and they are able to forge true partnerships. So, what we are looking at is to forge true friendship, foster cultural diversity through engagements and ensure that there is integrity in the heart of what we do and that we care for the next generation.”
In his address, the Nigeria High Commissioner in the United Kingdom, Ambassador Sarafa Tunji Isola, while appreciating the historical role played by Britain in the birth and unification of Nigeria, expressed hope in Nigeria’s potential to attain greatness and remain united in spite of the challenges it is plagued with.
Speaking on the sidelines of the event, the Vice Patron of the N-BA, Philip Hall, OBE described the occasion as extra special, noting that it was the first time the Association has held in the UK.
