A Night of Glamour, Culture, and Connection at the 4th AfroEuropa Gala and Awards Night

London shimmered under the city lights as the crème de la crème of the Afro-Caribbean and wider multicultural community gathered for yet another dazzling edition of the AfroEuropa Gala and Awards Night. Now in its fourth year, this annual celebration has evolved into one of the most anticipated events on the social calendar, an evening where elegance meets purpose and diversity takes centre stage.

Held at the prestigious Oasis Banqueting Suites in London, the event once again delivered its signature blend of glamour, cultural pride, and community spirit. Guests were treated to exquisite cuisine, world-class entertainment, and the excitement of the signature raffle draw, where lucky winners walked away with premium prizes, including three 55-inch television sets and other state-of-the-art rewards.

Maureen Layokun, Convener of AFROEUROPA with His Worshipful, Councillor Sonny Lambe the Mayor of Southwark .

At the helm of this stunning production was Maureen Charming-Layokun, the sophisticated publisher of Charming Magazine and an icon of style in her own right. This year’s theme, “Social Cohesion: Improving Connectedness and Solidarity,” perfectly captured the essence of the evening, a celebration of unity, inclusion, and shared humanity.

Her Worshipful, Councillor Sally Kimondo, the Mayor of Dunstable, presenting the AFROEUROPA 2025 Star Leadership Award to Dr Dayo Olomu.

The red-carpet reception, elegantly hosted by Deborah Kelly, set the tone for a night of refinement and revelry. Guests glided across the carpet in stunning ensembles, pausing for photo ops and interviews that captured the night’s glamour in full stride.

The latest edition of the Charming Magazine was launched on the day

Inside the grand hall, the event opened with a heartfelt prayer by Yinka Akintunde, followed by stirring keynote addresses from Councillor Sunny Lambe, who emphasised the importance of social harmony, and Councillor Hillaria Asumu, who highlighted the life-saving relevance of organ donation. Their words echoed the event’s mission, building bridges across communities through empathy, awareness, and shared responsibility.

The entertainment lineup was nothing short of spectacular. Comedian Emeka Smith kept the audience laughing with his trademark wit, while crowd-favourite DJ Omowhyte kept the dance floor alive deep into the night. There were mesmerising performances from Katie, whose belly dance captivated the audience, the Warmis Ecuador Troupe, and the Oduduwa Talking Drummers, as well as a striking PEACE FM Creative Hair Show hat display that combined art, fashion, and culture in perfect harmony.

Of course, the highlight of the evening was the awards presentation, where outstanding personalities were recognised for their leadership, philanthropy, and impact within their communities. Among the distinguished honourees were His Excellency Senator Monday Okpebholo, Governor of Edo State, celebrated for his progressive strides in governance; Dr Loretta Ogboro-Okor, Director General of the Edo State Diaspora Agency and a consultant obstetrician whose work continues to bring healthcare to the underprivileged; and Dayo Olomu, renowned motivational speaker, author, and community leader.

Also recognised was Oluwaseun Ikusika, a Nigerian-British family lawyer, Franco-British Council Local Leader, United Nations contributor, Global Youth Ambassador, and passionate advocate for gender and disability rights.

In her closing remarks, Maureen Charming-Layokun expressed heartfelt gratitude to all who supported the vision of AfroEuropa.

> “AfroEuropa is more than just a celebration, it’s a movement for connection, understanding, and shared humanity,” she affirmed.

As the night drew to a close, guests departed with memories of laughter, elegance, and cultural pride—moments that will linger long after the lights dimmed.