Date: Wednesday, September 25, 2013 5:38 PM
Subject: CANAN MARKS ONE WITH IMPRESSIVE GALA IN NEW YORK
CANAN MARKS ONE WITH IMPRESSIVE GALA IN NEW YORK
*CONGRESSMAN KING, UNFPA BOSS, NIGERIAN AMBASSADOR, OTHERS IN ATTENDANCE
*SOYINKA SENDS MESSAGE, PRAISING ASSOCIATION
*TOP TEN WINNERS CELEBRATED
It was an evening to remember last Sunday when the Christian Association of Nigerian-Americans, CANAN had its first Charity Gala and Awards Dinner in New York City.
At the impressive gathering several eminent Nigerians and Americans including top government officials graced the event were funds were raised for the association's Boko Haram Relief Fund and winners of CANAN's Top Ten Awards celebrated.
All the ten award winners were physically present except one who was unavoidably absent and sent a representative.
CANAN leaders including members of the board and chapter officials were also in attendance, drawn from different parts of the US.
The event saw the delivery of several speeches and messages that were also published in the CANAN Charity Journal produced to commemorate the Gala.
In his welcome address, CANAN President, Pastor (Dr.) James Fadele said "since the formation of CANAN in September 2012, the LORD has helped us tremendously," adding that more and more people are rallying around the association.
He praised the supporters of the association including US Representative Peter King who was also present at the event
According to him, "By His grace, CANAN has within one year of its existence become recognized by the US and the Nigerian governments, international and US media, and our community here and in Nigeria."
Continuing he added that such a level of support "has motivated us to vigorously run the vision to be the leading voice of Nigeria-American Christians and their immigrant communities."
In his own remarks, Representative Peter King, who is a NY Republican member of the Congress said he would continue to support the work of CANAN as the fight against global terrorism continues.
He called attention to the Kenya Mall terror attack, which was in progress even at the time of the Gala. According to him, the calls in the US Congress for the designation of Boko Haram as a Foreign Terrorist organization, FTO, will continue.
Also speaking at the Gala, keynote Speaker, Prof Babatunde Osotimehin urged the association and its members to also dig deeper to the circumstances that makes the recruitment of terrorists easier in northern Nigeria.
He called on all Nigerians abroad to be determined to play an active role in lifting up the nation and empower the less privileged lot of the country.
In his solidarity message published in the event magazine, Nobel Laureate Soyinka said it is a relief "to find exceptions among one's people, those who like CANAN, dedicate themselves…and manifest their humanity in practical ways."
Going further Prof Wole Soyinka said "history will not forgive those who appease violators at the expense of the violated-their guilt transcends even the horrors inflicted by the violators. Posterity will however enshrine the example of the few who offer practical solace to the orphaned, the widowed and other traumatized innocents."
*Details of the event including photos and video would be published very soon. Also the CANAN Charity Journal would be posted on line as well. The Journal has several exciting information including but not limited to the profiles of all the Top Ten CANAN award winners.
*ARIK AIR IS CANAN'S PREFERRED AIRLINE, AND EVENT SPONSOR
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