Fun, Excitement As Theguardian Fetes Kids On Children’s Day
TO mark this year Children’s Day celebrated today, The Guardian partnered some organisations last Friday to host a party for pupils and students from six schools at Ndubuisi Kanu Park, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos.
The schools that participated were: Henifad Schools,
Igando, Precious Feet Nursery and Primary School, Surulere, Joke Ayo International School, Alagbado, Oakville Children Primary School, Mushin, Delightful Bunch School, Gbagada, and Ansar-ud- Deen Girls High School, Itire.
For the children, the event was a fun-filled break from the rigour of classroom, as they interacted, played and danced to good music.
The exciting party also featured dance competition and mathematics quiz, among others, which combined, gave the children an unforgettable experience.
From their happy and excited faces, it was obvious the children really enjoyed themselves; as they engaged themselves with Bouncing Castle, Swings, and other available play toys and amusement set-up at the park.
Speaking on Theguardian’s decision to host the event,
Head Advert, (Saturday) Tunde Akingbulugbe, said the company wanted to use this year’s Children’s Day to celebrate the young ones, who love reading the newspaper, especially the Guardiankids section.
He explained that the idea was to bring together the children and clients who advertise on their platform, so that these companies could meet the kids that buy their products through their parents.
He said: “By this, we have created a good environment for the children to have fun and enjoy themselves. And it is our plan to make it a yearly event.
“We have also used the opportunity to introduce our paper to them by giving each student a copy of Theguardian to boost reading culture among them.”
He said the children brainteasers were culled from the Guardiankids series to test their knowledge and readership of this section.
Martha Okube, a 10-year-old Basic 5 pupil of Delightful Bunch School, expressed delight at the celebration and thanked the paper for the kind gesture, and for giving the kids loads of goodies to take home.
Also, Owolabi Mistura, a 13-year-old SS2 student of Ansar-uddeen Girls High School, commended the organisers for bringing children from different schools together to socialise and have fun.
“We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves and I have made some new friends. I also benefitted from the brainteasers exercise,” she said.
Speaking on her experience, Oma Ifeanyi, an 11-year-old Primary 5 pupil of Precious Feet Nursery and Primary School, said she has learned to be courageous and stand up to life’s challenges without fear.
Another JSS 2 student, 10-year-old Akinmileya Ayomide of Henifad Schools, urged government to invest more in education to reduce the number of out-of-school children.
She equally called for establishment of quality hospitals and building of more roads to reduce the high rate of road accidents in the country.
The Principal of Joke Ayo International School, Mr. Ibikunle Nurudeen, described the occasion as a perfect setting for the children to socialise with their peers, expand their horizon and gain more knowledge.
He, however, stressed the need to pay more attention to children’s welfare, as well as provide conducive environment for them to thrive.
Noting the high prevalence of vices in the society today, Nurudeen said there was need to give children good orientation by organising seminars, workshops, and symposiums to create awareness and provide guidance on social issues. He also advised the students to pay more attention to their studies.
Sponsorship and Promotion Analyst, MTN, Peter Kajovo, said the company believes that children are the future of the nation, and it is their desire to connect with them and make their lives better.
He said: “We hope to catch them young and inculcate in them the right values and culture, as well as enrich their lives.”