We received great and inspring news over the weekend that Marcus Edino, a PhD in Energy and the Environment at Glasgow Caledonian University, was named among Britain’s 30 most outstanding black students in the National Union of Students (NUS) Powerlist ‘Future Leaders 2010’. Marcus came to the UK in September 2007 on a scholarship sponsored by Nigeria’s Petroleum Technology Development Fund (PTDF), having achieved an M Tech in geography with environmental pollution and waste management from the Federal University if Technology in Minna, Nigeria. He was named as one of the two top performing candidates from Kogi to secure the scholarship. The full story about the award has been posted on GCU’s website. This is a great achievement by  one of our own and know that he will continue to make great strides and inspire others to be the best they can. Congrats Marcus!

The Kogi State Union UK (KSUUK) was on 3rd April hosted for the first time by one of its member unions, the Ebira Union at the All Saints Community Centre, Old Kent Road London. The new format for KSUUK meetings requires that every member association of KSUUK host host its general meetings on a rotational basis. Igala UK was well represented at the meeting by members and executive led by Bakwo Abdullahi the Chairman.

The meeting saw attendees from people outside Kogi state as well, notably guest speakers which included the Mayor of Waltham Forest Council Cllr Anna Mbachu. Mayor Mbachu who is the first female black mayor in the UK, gave a very inspirational talk about Women Empowerment in meeting with Millennium Development Goals.  Other speakers were the PDP UK Women’s leader Madam Vicky and Mr. Ayo Audu, the Outreach Consultant (Nigeria/Ghana) for the International Organisation for Migration who also gave very good talks of their own.

Igala UK will be next in line to host KSUUK on Saturday May 29th and arrangements are already being made to have speakers, including the Mayor, attend the meeting so more people can benefit from the important information that was shared. Keep checking the website and your email for updates about the next general meeting and other Igala UK events.