To once again show the whole world that Nigeria is not only a land of beauty but a land of most glamorous cultural values and artifacts, the Central Association of Nigerians in the United Kingdom (CANUK) has slated a cultural carnival for London.According to Chief Bimbo Robert Afolayan, Chairman, CANUK, the cultural carnival has been slated to take place at Leyton Cricket Ground, London on October 15.'We Nigerians in the UK, that is, all the Nigerian associations in the UK under the central body of CANUK will be organising the biggest black cultural tourism carnival in the UK, not only to showcase our rich culture, but to tell the world that Nigerians have what it takes to make the world happy,' he said.He said that the carnival was part of the activities of the association aimed at drawing the attention of the world to the fact that good products and people abound in Nigeria.'We are not happy with the wave of negative publicity and media ridicule being shunned out daily in the UK about Nigerians and Nigeria as if our country is full of evil people. We are not evil; neither are we the worst country in the world. The larger percentage of Nigerians in the UK are very decent, law abiding professionals who are daily contributing to the economy of Great Britain.We cannot allow the activities of a few unscrupulous element to overshadow the rest of us.'Chief Afolayan added: 'This is one of the conscious and concerted efforts being made by CANUK to use our cultural endowments to promote and boost the image of our country here in the UK.'It is our belief that this carnival will showcase Nigeria's cultural tourism potentialities and stimulate tourism interest from the peoples of other nations in the UK.'He pointed out that the carnival would reflect the totality of all Nigerian ethnic and professional groups. 'This is one carnival out of many. It is going to be a paragon of Nigerian culture where all our cultural groups on state-by-state basis will showcase their worth in unity and harmony of dance, songs and drum.'The cultural carnival he said, is also being put in place to remind some of our children who were born and bred in the UK that they have a very rich and enviable historical and cultural background'Chief Afolayan disclosed: 'We are putting all hands on deck for the success of this carnival, which is the first of its kind to be organised by the CANUK, the umbrella body of Nigerian and Nigeria related associations in the UK.'He revealed that 'to ensure a back home representation, we are inviting many distinguished Nigerians to witness the carnival and the summit. Also, we are inviting the UK authourities and those that matter there to come and see the cultural wonders of Nigeria.'Chief Afolayan commended His Excellency, Dr Dalhatu Sarki Tafida, Nigeria's High Commissioner to the United kingdom, for his support and guidance to the association.'Dr Dalhatu Tafida has been very supportive of all the activities of CANUK. His is a rare Nigerian Ambassador who is passionately committed to anything that will add value and honour to Nigeria and Nigerians. He is the Grand Host of the carnival.
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