Edo Diaspora
1727. Musa Amedu
Musa Amedu, from Manchester, is a lawyer who set up the first African food bank in Greater Manchester and provided dedicated support for British-African communities in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Musa, who hails from the Nigerian state of Edo, is the founder of ‘Edo Diaspora’, a support network first set up in 2019 for others from the region and all African families across Greater Manchester. The network runs a ‘Together in Manchester’ campaign to promote community cohesion in the city, as well as regular events, cultural awareness workshops and coffee drop-in mornings. When the Coronavirus outbreak began, Musa realised that many British-African families were struggling with lockdown restrictions, and decided to set up a dedicated food bank to ensure they could receive food supplies such as pounded yam, garri, amala, African indomie noodles, plantain and semovita, among other items. The food bank has provided over 2,000 parcels to support hundreds of African families across the Greater Manchester area, and Musa has also supported families through regular phone calls and translating Government guidance into Pidgin English.
In a personal letter to Musa, Prime Minister Boris Johnson said:
“I know you do this with no thought of praise or reward, but allow me to offer my own recognition of the way in which you have supported the Nigerian community in Greater Manchester.
“Through the pandemic, you have founded the first African Foodbank in the UK. Now you continue to support people through your ‘Together in Manchester’ group which brings together people from the Nigerian community to make friends, discuss job opportunities and get to know their local area. You are tackling isolation and promoting community cohesion.”
Lucy Powell, MP for Manchester Central, said:
“I’m delighted Musa is receiving recognition for all the invaluable work he’s been doing. The last eighteen months have been incredibly challenging for so many across Manchester and Musa has been a real champion for his community. I’m really pleased he’s been presented with this award recognising his exceptional service.”
In response to receiving the award, Musa said:
“I am happier serving my community. Providing culturally appropriate service to the African community is lovely and fulfilling.”