REPORT OF THE INTERIM COMMITTEE PRESENTED TO THE
GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF CANUK
28 JANUARY 2006
The inauguration of the Central Association of Nigerians in the UK was performed by His Excellency, Dr. Christopher Kolade, the Nigeria High Commissioner, on 1st October 2005. A 4-member Interim Executive Committee was put in place to direct the affairs of CANUK pending the constitution of the Executive Committee.
2. The Interim Committee members are:
- Prof. Victor Ayeni, Commonwealth Secretariat – Chairman;
- Mr. William Azuh, International Maritime Organisation, Member;
- Mr. J.S Abubakar, Nigeria Ports Authority, Member; and
- Mr. Hameed A. Opeloyeru, Nigeria High Commission, Member/Secretary
3. The Interim Committee members also doubled as members of the Electoral Group, who were entrusted, under CANUK’s Constitution, to conduct elections to fill the various posts on the Executive Committee.
4. The Committee held four meetings and took unanimous decisions on the following issues:
(a) Membership List
A List comprising 44 Nigerian Associations, which comprises 22 state-based associations, 6 professional associations, 3 associations based in the various regions of UK, 4 associations dealing with social, sports or youth affairs, 7 cultural associations, and 2 student organisations. It also identified 13 associations as potential members of CANUK who are yet to comply with the registration requirements. It is envisaged that these and similar Nigerian associations would be coming forward with their registration documents in due course. In compiling the List, the Committee took cognizance of the inclusive nature of CANUK and reached out to all potential members of the umbrella body.
(b) Election of Members of the Executive Committee
The postal/ballot election began with the distribution of ballot papers by either e-mail or post on 13 January 2006 and was concluded on 23 January 2006. The ballot papers were counted at the meeting of the Committee held on 24 January 2006 and the result was announced accordingly. The following delegates were duly elected into the executive Committee positions:
(a) 1st Vice Chair Mr. Omusa Baba Ohyoma (elected)
(b) 2nd Vice Chair Mr. Bitrus J. Yohanna (unopposed)
(c) General Secretary
Dr. Peter Ozua (elected)
(d) Assistant General Secretary Miss Abimbola Adeyeye (elected)
(e) Treasurer
Chief Patrice Okaro (elected)
(f) Social Secretary
Mr. Tunde Aiyegbusi (unopposed)
(g) Welfare Secretary Mrs Gladys Olowu (elected)
(h) Legal Advisor Mr. Oba Nsugbe, QC (unopposed)
Website
5. The Committee wishes to note the assistance of the Nigeria High Commission by allowing the use of its Website to launch a temporary site for CANUK. The site has links with a host of Nigerian Associations, while discussions are underway to make it more interactive.
Patron
6. In accordance with the provisions of CANUK’s Constitution, the Interim Executive received a nomination for the appointment of the Nigerian High Commissioner, Dr. Christopher Kolade as the First Patron of the Association. The nomination, which was filed in by the Britain-Nigeria Law Forum (BNLF) was circulated among the entire membership of CANUK. The out-pouring of support for this nomination has enabled the Interim Committee to unanimously decide to recommend his nomination for adoption by this General Assembly.
Draft Resolutions
7. The following draft resolutions are hereby submitted for consideration by the General Assembly:
(a) Membership Fee (One-off)
A membership fee of £50.00 for each delegate sent the CANUK. Associations with two delegates will, therefore, pay a one-off fee of £100.00 for their delegates.
(b) Annual Subscription Fee
An annual Subscription Fee of £50.00 for each delegate on the General Assembly. Associations with two delegates will be required to pay £100.00 for their delegates.
(c) Invitation to Associate Members
The General Assembly is invited to approve the invitation of the following Nigerian corporate organisations as associate members of CANUK:
- Union Bank, UK Plc
- First Bank, UK Plc
- Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas (NLGN)
- National Electric Power Authority
- Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (UK Office)
- Britain-Nigeria Association
- Nigeria in Diaspora Organisation, Europe
(d) Invitation to Honorary Members
Also, approval is hereby sought for the following honorary members to be invited to join the Association:
- H.E Mrs. Beatrice Kolade Association of Wives of Nigerian Diplomats, London.
- Professor A. Adefuye Commonwealth Secretariat
- Mr. Ayo Oke Commonwealth Secretariat
- Miss. Adaora Ikenze Commonwealth Secretariat
- Dr. Mathew Odedokun Commonwealth Secretariat
- Dr. Timothy Williams Commonwealth Secretariat
- Mrs. Toyin Job Commonwealth Secretariat
- Dr. Rosemary Endeley Commonwealth Secretariat
- Mrs. Elsie Onubogu Commonwealth Secretariat
- Mrs. Monica N Mbanefo International Maritime Organisation
- Mr. Vincent Job International Maritime Organisation
- H.E Mr. M.K Ndanusa Nigeria High Commission
- Mrs. A.A. Obileye Nigeria High Commission
- Mr Akin O. Fayomi Nigeria High Commission
- Mr. H.A Opeloyeru Nigeria High Commission
- Mr. A.A. Ajoje Nigeria High Commission
- Mr. A Magaji Nigeria High Commission
- Mr. M. I Omuso Nigeria High Commission
- Mr. C.C Udegbunam Nigeria High Commission
- Brig. Gen. M. Said Nigeria High Commission
- Mr. William Azuh Nigeria High Commission
- Mr. M.S. Adoli Nigeria High Commission
- Mr. B.A. Musa Nigeria High Commission
- Mr. M.J.Z Abubakar-Waziri Nigeria High Commission
- Capt. (NN) V.O Adedipe Nigeria High Commission
- Gp. Capt. E.E Agwungwu Nigeria High Commission
- Col. M.A Oladeji Nigeria High Commission
- Lt. Col. E.E Eji Nigeria High Commission
- Mr. I.N Charles Nigeria High Commission
- Mr A.R. Adejola Nigeria High Commission
- Mr. S. Sani Nigeria High Commission
- Mr. J.S Abubakar Nigeria Ports Authority
Acknowledgements
8. Various persons and bodies contributed to the success of the work of the Interim Committee. I wish to commend the efforts of the following:
- Nigeria High Commissioner, Dr. Christopher Kolade, Facilitator of the entire community engineering process;
- Members of Working Committee headed by Chief G.S Adebayo of the Nigerian Elders Council;
- Members of the Interim Committee;
- Delegates representing the various Member Organisations
9. I thank you very much.
Ambassador Victor Ayeni
Chairman, Interim Committee
28 JANUARY 2006