BY ABRAHAM OLADIPUPO AND AFOLABI DOLAPO
THE GUARDIAN on SUNDAY, 21 NOVEMBER 2010
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| Cross section of students at the festival |
JOYFUL and eager children and youths recently stormed the National Arts Theatre, Iganmu, venue of the children’s session of the 12th Lagos Book and Art Festival(LABAF 2010).
The children had arrived the venue in high expectations and the programme lived up to its billing as the children later expressed their satisfaction .The event which was organised by Children And The Environment(CATE) in conjunction with the Committee for Relevant Arts(CORA), provided the children with the opportunity and platform to learn, improve and acquire more knowledge in writing, reading and other creative activities.
Organised to empower the young ones; and showcase the unlimited creative potentials of children and youths as well as to mark the 50th independence anniversary of Nigeria, the programme lavished attention on the young ones.
Children from schools in Lagos such as Greensprings College, Lekki, Liham School Yaba, Royal Master Alausa, Master Guide, Little Steps, Senobs Nursery and Primary School among others were tutored and inspired by Olaboludele Simoyan, an architect turned author of the 8th Wonder of the World-Made in Nigeria.
The author challenged the students to imbibe the culture of reading. “You don’t judge a book by its cover. For you to get the best from any book, you have to open and read in order to uncover the hidden treasure,” she said. The author, who experimented with the pupils and students added: “reading improves the way you think”. She lamented that lack of reading is one of the reasons the country is experiencing bad leadership.
Earlier in her welcome address, the coordinator of CATE, Ms. Shola Alamutu, said the session provides the opportunity for children and youths to explore their potentials as well as bringing together certain individuals whose interaction with books had helped inspired success.
There were performances by students of Greensprings College Lekki and Liham School while the Crown Troupe of Africa capped it all with a dance drama of Hubert Ogunde’s “Yoruba Ronu” .
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| Loads of fun at the festival.... face painting game |
It was a nice programme. All the dances, sketches and performances. It was really fun to watch and participate in them. I learnt more on reading and writing.
— Feyisayo Bello, 15, Greensprings College, Lekki.
This programme is really enlightening. More people should join the chariot, and that will make it more exciting. I have learnt a lot.
— Victoria K.Nwandu, 15, Greensprings College, Lekki.
The programme is good and well structured. The order of the programme truly helped me understand and enjoy it.
— Femi Inuche, 13, Greensprings College, Lekki.
The organisers are creative. The educational and creative aspects compliment each other. I learnt that anyone can write, one just needs to read wide and be creative.
— Annabel Haliday, 13. Greensprings College, Lekki.
I have learned to read my books and to develop confidence in whatever I do. Also, I think we children need more encouragement to achieve academic success.
— Favour Godday, 12, JSS2, Master Guide School.
Before coming to this programme, I read novels and story books a lot and with what I have learnt here, I hope to do more of reading and I also hope to write a book very soon.
— Mayowa Ganzalo, 10. Primary 6, Master Guide School.
The programme is very nice and educative and it has taught me to be sincere and truthful.
— Mobolaji Temitope, 12. JSS2 Master Guide School.
It’s nice and I love the dance performance.. It has taught me that reading my books is good for my education. So, I will start reading hard because I want to become a doctor in future.
— Esther Okorafor, 8, Pry 5 Master Guide School.
I have learnt to read and write and face my studies and listen to my teachers.
— Tomoloju Tola, 9years, Basic 4, Sanobs Nursery and Primary school.
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| Children performing at the event |
I learnt how to read, write and draw and that I should be honest and hardworking.
— Agoe Emmanuel, 9, Basic 5, Sanobs Nursery and Primary school.
I had a lot of fun and I also enjoyed myself. I have learn that I should read my books very well and work hard in my studies.
— Ekeh Victor, 5. Basic 1, Sanobs Nursery and Primary school.
I feel privileged to be part of this event. It will boost my writing, reading and creative skills. The programme opened my eyes to the fact that there is abundance of talents in me which can be of great benefits to me and the society at large.
— Christian Oluwa, 15. Alakoto Senior Secondary School, Ajegunle.
I am impressed by the programme, not just the creative aspect of it but also the structure of the programme. This is my first time am attending this type of programme and from what I have seen today, I feel I have missed alot by not attending the previous ones.
— Tontonye Edimo, 15. Alakoto Senior Secondary School, Ajegunle.
The programme is inspiring, motivating and educative. It teaches us to read wide; reading outside one’s area of studies. This type of programme should be given more publicity because opportunity comes but once.
— Juvitar Akra, 16. SS2, Alakoto Senior Secondary School, Ajegunle.
The programme is well organised. My eye has been opened to some hidden truths. Before now, I wasn’t reading much. But now , I think I will have to improve on that if I wish to outshine or march the speakers of today.
— Lasisi Asanatu, 16. SS2, Alakoto Senior Secondary School, Ajegunle.
I love this programme; I love it and I love it over again. Although, I am a science student, I learnt what my field can’t teach me. I now understand and agree that ideas rule the world. As from now on, I will sharpen my writing and reading skills. Please, I want this programme sustained because it is revealing and inspiring.
— Anighogbo Hannah, 16. SS2, Alakoto Senior Secondary School, Ajegunle.
Today, I have learned beyond my imagination. This is not my first time of attending this festival but I think this edition is the first of its kind. The sketches presented on stage also helped to pass the message better. Nothing seems to challenge someone in this nation, not even the government, one’s friends nor the environment. And any opportunity to meet great minds like this should be cherished.
— Taiwo Musa, 21. SS3, Alakoto Senior Secondary School, Ajegunle.
Being a science student does not stop a creative mind; that is what I have learn here. This is the first time of attending this kind of programme. I am motivated by the author of 8th Wonder of the World. Though not in the arts, she executed a brilliant idea because she believed in herself and this is one of my take home lessons.
—Olufemi Deji, 19. SS3, Alakoto Senior Secondary School, Ajegunle.
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| The GREEN FESTIVAL coordinator, Sola Alamutu (author of Green Festival workbook) sharing podium with Ruby Igwe, (author The Land of Kalamaizoo) one of the children authors celebrated at the festival |
I have learned from the master, not only the creative aspect but also the way and manner these people articulate their words. I discovered I have a long way to go and, for other students who are not here, they are missing a lot. Please, this programme should be encouraged, given more publicity and be repeated in quick succession.
—Ejaeh Glory, 17. SS3, Alakoto Senior Secondary School, Ajegunle.
This is not my first time of attending this programme and I have been inspired and challenged by the speakers. I am going back a better person. This is not my first time and it wont be the last. I will definitely come back in the next edition.
Edema Olamide, 18. SS3, Alakoto Senior Secondary School, Ajegunle.
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| LABAF 2010 coordinator, Ayo Arigbabu presenting Speaker Bankole's Book gifts to the children |
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