Soyuznikis-UK is a union for Nigerians who have studied in the former Union of Soviets Socialist Republic (USSR). Soyuznikis comes from the Russian word ‘Soyuz’ meaning union. The association was founded in the summer of 2007 during the wedding ceremony of a colleague in London, the idea came about to form an umbrella organisation to bring together and embrace in friendship as it existed amongst us during our stay in the USSR was agreed.
Soyuznikis-UK is a secular organisation with no religious affiliation. Membership to the group is not dependent on creed, origin, gender or sexuality. We endeavour to be a progressive organisation that will make meaningful contributions to the communities that gave us the opportunity to learn – USSR, the one that now host us - United Kingdom and most especially our nation – Nigeria.
The deeds and acts of Soyuznikis-UK are guided by its constitution.
Our general meetings are held on the last Saturday of every month excluding December, when we normally hold our End of Year Get Together.
An important part of our objective is to provide channels through which social, political and economic issues affecting Nigerians here in the UK and back home can be addressed. We aim to do these by employing a structured united front on the one hand that will deal with the establishment and on the other hand utilizing the bond of humanity,culture and education that has binded us as Soyuznikis. Drawing strength from our global diversity, resources and experiences, we will promote innovative solutions and encourage global responsibility through local initiatives.
At Suyuznikis, we aim to create and publish informative and educational materials as our contribution to the motherland Nigeria, Russia where we studied and the United Kingdom where we now reside. Our generation wants to leave behind a legacy that will be the envy of others. Culture and tradition is the one thing that makes us who we are as Nigerians, so it is our responsibility to ensure it is kept alive for posterity.
This old adage, more relevant than ever
Since inception, the association has been lead by the following persons as President. They have made efforts to foster growth and unity among members.
They are:Cancel Culture - Very Divisive
The most dangerous of all falsehoods is a slightly distorted truth. The danger of instant judgements and monolithic narratives are all too prevalent in these deliberations. Where you will find cold-blooded grasping; massive sense of entitlement; an inability to show gratitude; an unrealistic expectation of puritanism from others; and a passionate performance of virtue that is well executed in the public space ( social media) but not in the intimate space of co-habitation and friendship.
These are very trying times. Technology as recent as couple of years ago was supposed to bring us all closer - remember the global village?. The emergence of an old doctrine - critical race theory the epitome of this dramatic change in attitude towards anyone with a different point of view has put paid to that paradigm. These contrive and concerted attack on one race as being the source of the biblical original sin is trivial and false period.
We insulate ourselves in ideological bubbles of similar-thinking people and refuse to countenance or even engage with the truth. We now seems to be building echo chambers with titanium and carbon fibre cladding just to make sure we do not see or hear anything different. If these cancel culture mentality is being adopted to the pandemic, may be herd immunity would have been achieved by now. We have become communities in a dislocated social fabric that is fracturing at an astonishing rate. If we do not amend this fast, rapture seems to be the only ramification.