Adesina Alabi, President, Muslim Association of Nigeria UK and HRH Prince Charles (Photo courtesy of MAN UK)

Elham Asaad Buaras

The President of the Muslim Association of Nigeria UK (MAN UK) was among an array of dignitaries from the West African diaspora hosted by HRH Prince Charles and Duchess of Cornwall Camilla on October 24.

Prince Charles and the Duchess invited dozens of famous faces of Ghanaian, Gambian and Nigerian heritage to St James’s Palace ahead of their nine-day tour of the three West African nations which began on October 31.

The couple’s visit came hard on the heels of UK Prime Minister’s high-profile visit to the continent just a few months ago.

Among the many VIPs to attend the reception were ambassadors; foreign ministers, religious leaders, CEOs of charitable NGOs, entrepreneurs, as well as celebrities from the world of media, sport, fashion and the arts.

Adesina Alabi, President of MAN UK, told The Muslim News he informed both royals of the role British Nigerians played in the capital and “how we promote charitable activities of a social and welfare nature for the benefit of Muslims (particularly of Nigerian origin).”

MAN UK was founded by Nigerian students in 1950. Alabi also told the royals of his organisation’s inter-faith relationships, “most especially with the Southwark Inter-Faith Group, and our Twinning relationship between Old Kent Road Mosque and St Phillips and St Peters churches.

”He also told them their proposed project for the demolition and rebuilding of the Old Kent Road Mosque. Edward Enninful, Editor-in-chief of British Vogue and of Ghanaian heritage said, “I think it’s really great how the Prince has invited people from the West African diaspora here, he’s always so supportive of the Commonwealth.”

Speaking about the impact Britons from West Africa have made, he added: “It’s a great contribution – it’s Great Britain, we’ve all grown up in this amazing country and are happy to contribute what we can in our different fields.”