Writing by Naomi Anzaku; Editing by Abubakar Hamza.
The Naomi Stephen Children Foundation, also known as Favour Global Children Foundation, has hosted the Kaduna Summer Children’s Party and Talent Show to promote creativity, confidence and leadership development among children.
The event, themed “Empowering Tomorrow’s Leaders Through Play and Creativity,” was held at Stemar Pinnacle Event Centre, 3rd Avenue, Federal Housing Estate, Gonin Gora, Kaduna.
The programme brought together children from different backgrounds for games, a talent show, paper presentation, awards and interactive activities designed to provide a safe and engaging environment for learning, social interaction and creative expression.
Speaking at the event, the Chairperson of the Civil Defence Officers Wives Association, Kaduna State Chapter, Mrs Victoria Panam Musa, described the initiative as timely, noting that children needed opportunities to relax and refresh during the school holiday ahead of the resumption of academic activities in September.
Victoria Musa said raising children was a collective responsibility that required the commitment of government, parents, teachers and families.
She called for more programmes that would enable children to play, explore their interests and express their creativity, describing such activities as important to developing skills needed for future leadership.
The guest lecturer, Dr Alabi Usman Dauda, Head of the Department of Fashion Design and Clothing Technology, Kaduna Polytechnic, said play was more than entertainment, describing it as one of the earliest and most effective ways through which children learn, explore, communicate, solve problems and develop confidence.
Dauda, who presented a paper titled “Empowering Tomorrow’s Leaders Through Play and Creativity,” said creativity helped children transform imagination into ideas, solutions and innovations capable of contributing positively to society.
“Every inventor, artist, scientist, entrepreneur and leader was once a curious child. The responsibility before us is to create an environment where children can discover their talents, express their ideas and develop the skills needed for the future,” he said.
He noted that educational scholars, including Jean Piaget, Lev Vygotsky, John Dewey and Friedrich Froebel, had emphasised the importance of active participation, exploration, social interaction and practical experiences in children’s learning.
The lecturer urged parents to encourage children to ask questions, experiment and create, saying children given opportunities to explore were more likely to become adaptable, confident and productive adults.
Earlier, the Coordinator of the foundation, Comrade Shedrack Ovye Anzaku, welcomed dignitaries, sponsors and children to the event.
Anzaku said the programme was made possible through the support of individuals and organisations, including the Minister of Defence, General Christopher Gwabin Musa (rtd.), who served as Father of the Day; Mrs Victoria Panam Musa, Mother of the Day; Air Commodore Aisha Abdullahi (rtd.) among others.
He said the foundation planned to sustain the summer children’s party while improving and introducing more programmes aimed at educating and entertaining children.
According to him, the foundation began operations in 2020 and was registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission in 2021.
He added that it had previously organised programmes, including “Operation Feed One Hundred Kaduna Children,” hospital visitations and feeding programmes for orphanages.
Anzaku appealed to individuals and organisations to support the foundation’s activities and enable it to expand its programmes for children.
Goodwill messages were delivered by the representative of the Sarkin Gonin Gora, Chief John Dodo, and the North-West Secretary of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists, NAWOJ, Hajiya Daharatu Ahmed Aliyu, among others.
The event also featured the presentation of awards to individuals recognised for their contributions to peace, youth development, child advocacy, community development and innovation.
General Christopher Gwabin Musa (rtd.) received the Guardian of Peace and Youth Mentor Award, while Mrs Victoria Panam Musa was honoured with the Pillar of Unity, Progress & Child Advocacy Award.
Air Commodore Aisha Abdullahi (rtd.) received the Excellence in Military Health & Community Development Award, while Dr Alabi Usman Dauda received the Excellence in Fashion Education & Innovation Award.
