*The last long holiday weekend towards end of August each year in the United Kingdom, called the Summer Bank holiday weekend is always full of events and activities including the famous Notting Hill carnival.
Bank holiday is usually a Monday but on Saturday preceding the Monday, Nigerian Schools Foundation NSF (UK) held its 8th annual Sports and Family Funday with a wow factor including sport games of soccer, table tennis and athletics and the funny Catching the Train race.
The Fun Day is believed to be the largest gathering of Nigerians at any event which is not church or music-related even though guests also turn up who are not Nigerians but wholly enjoy the day’s event as well. It is not an exclusive event. Whatever the occasion, Nigerians know how to gather and enjoy themselves and also put up a good show.
The gathering was fantastically organised, hospitality to Special guests invited was second to none and yes the unpredictable UKÂ weather was very bright and gloriously sunny. A bonus to the event. Nigerians close to over 2000 from all works of life, from far and near and some visiting from abroad converged at the Allianz Park stadium home to the Saracens Rugby team in Hendon North London.
There was a March past of old students and representatives of Nigerian secondary schools such as Baptist Academy, Lagos, CMS Grammar school, Reagan Memorial Baptist girls’ secondary school, Methodist Girls High school, Queens College, Holy Child College, Lagos African Church Grammar school, and Ibadan Grammar school to mention a few. And there were also games, raffle draw Charity Fun run, sports and family fun and to crown it all there was live entertainment.
There were various stalls promoting Nigerian businesses local and international made up of Sponsors, advertisers, supporters and media partners. There were food stalls as well with caterers serving Nigerian foods and also a traditional Caribbean Jerk chicken stall and Ice Cream van. What’s a gathering without Jollof Rice and dodo (fried sliced plantain) and moin-moin (bean pudding)? NSF(UK), is a forum for UK-based Alumni Associations of Nigerian Schools firmly committed to connecting Nigerians, promoting awareness and developing communities. It aims to achieve that.
The special guest of honor was worshipful Mayor of Brent, Councillor Ernest Ezeajughi who made a call for this great effort organised by Nigerians for Nigerians to be sustained. There was also the Worshipful Mayor of Harrow Councillor Nitin Parekh and wife in attendance.
Mr. Bimbola Babarinde, the Chief operating officer of NSF(UK) said in his event statement that from a humble beginning of the birth of the annual event, giant strides have been made since 2012 when the first event took place. NSF(UK) is also involved in other activities throughout the year. There were specials guests form the arts, education, business and sporting world. Here’s looking forward to the 9th annual event.
Associations in the UK and further away can contact to join NSF(UK) through…. www.nsf.community
TAYO Fatunla is an award-winning Nigerian Comic Artist, Editorial Cartoonist, Writer and Illustrator. He is a graduate of the prestigious Kubert School, in New Jersey, US. and recipient of the 2018 ECBACC Pioneer Lifetime Achievement Award for his illustrated OUR ROOTS creation and series – Famous people in Black History – He participated in the UNESCO’s Cartooning In Africa forum held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
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