Nigerian High Commission Launches UK Town Hall Meetings!

THE Nigerian High Commission in UK on Saturday launched a town hall meeting to ensure constant communication with the diaspora community.

The High Commissioner, Dr Dalhatu Tafida, who spoke at the meeting’s maiden edition in Manchester, said that it was to engage Nigerians across the UK through dialogue.

Tafida said this would enable the High Commission to get first-hand information about their wellbeing.

``It is also to sensitise them to the activities of the mission, this is the maiden edition, and we will continue to engage Nigerians wherever they are through such meetings,’’ he said.

He commended Nigerians in Manchester for turning out enmass for the meeting, and urged them to project Nigeria's image positively.

The envoy also briefed the participants on the nation's security challenges and government's effort in securing the release of the Chibok schoolgirls.

He said that in spite of the challenges, the nation was still attracting foreign investment, and stressed the need for those in diaspora to invest ``back home and contribute to national development’’.

The Chairman of the Central Association of Nigerians in the UK, Mr Bimbo Afolayan, urged Nigerians to integrate themselves in their communities.

Afolayan, who decried the low number of Nigerians with political positions in Manchester, said ``the association will continue to support Nigerians to integrate wherever they are so as to contribute to the system’’.

Also, the Chairman of the Nigerian community in Manchester, Mr Ade Arogun, said that of the 75,000 Nigerians officially registered by the city council only ``one is a councillor’’.

Arogun, who expressed appreciation for the choice of Manchester as the host of the maiden meeting, stressed the need for the High Commission's consulate in Manchester to commence operation.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the consulate is being renovated.

The town hall meeting attracted participants from the Nigerian community in Manchester, and executives of association from London.

NAN also reports that the Manchester-based Benin cultural group added colour to the event with the display of traditional dances and songs.