AFROBERAT music legend Bunny Mack and Sierra Leone’s high commissioner to the UK Ambassador Edward Turay have pledged to attend the end-of-the-year party for African diasporans taking place in London on December 5.
Due to hold at Kensington Town Hall on Horton Street in West London, the event tagged The African Party, is expected to attract about 400 high profile Africans from across the UK. Music sensation Bunny Mack, who turns 69 next month, will be singing a rendition of his 1981 smash hit Let Me Love You which won a gold disc in its day.
Ambassador Turay, who is the latest among the high commissioners who have agreed to attend the event in person, has also written a message in the event’s programme. His message praises the African diaspora in the UK for their support in the fight against ebola and he asks the community not to relent in its efforts.
Starting at 6pm, the event, put together by Nigerian Watch and Women4Africa, is a gala dinner designed to be an evening of fun. Organisers have brought in Mack to entertain many of the middle age guests who were teenagers when Let Me Love You was a chart topper, who have a nostalgic attachment to his song.
Mack said: “I am honoured to be performing at an event where we are celebrating Africa and Africans and am pleased to be doing my bit for the continent. Those of us who have been fortunate have an obligation to give something back and music is my way of contributing to the development of our continent and assisting others.”
Ambassador Turay added: One thing I find particularly pleasing is that numerous doctors, nurses and health professionals from Africa have gone back home since the ebola epidemic broke to help fight it. Diasporans who are not health experts have also played their part with their contributions of medicines and relief items for victims.
“Our Sierra Leonean community alone has agreed to send 10 40ft containers to Freetown as its contribution to the fight against the ebola virus disease. Relief items including food, provisions, mattresses and other useful household goods worth thousands of British pounds.”
Nigerian Watch managing director Maryanne Jemide, added that this is the first such event of its kind and hopefully, The African Party will be an annual occurrence. She added that other entertainers who will perform on the day include MC Mark, Lateef Lovejoy, Lolo and Aurie Styla.
