Lagos State First Lady, Dr Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu has told children participants at the National Festival for Arts and Culture (NAFEST), which is being hosted by the state government, that the week-long event is a way of giving them an experience that they would cherish for a long time.
Hosting the children participants to a reception at the Lagos House, Marina on Friday, Mrs Sanwo-Olu, who also doubles as Mama NAFEST, commended the platform created by NAFEST for cultural integration, particularly the initiative of allowing children to take part in the cultural festival, saying that the platform has nurtured the children to appreciate and value the diversity in the nation’s cultures.
According to her, the hosting of the children participants at the Eko NAFEST 2022 shows the importance that the state attaches to issues that concern children as leaders of tomorrow.
Speaking on the gift items presented to some of the children which include laptops and tablets, the Governor’s wife noted that the biggest gift any of the children could receive is exposing them to some historical artefacts of the state and Nigeria, which would remain indelible in their hearts.
She informed them that the gift items would further enhance their skills in Information Communication Technology as well as sharpen their digital knowledge thereby contributing significantly to their academic performances.
Sanwo-Olu said that that the decision to take the children on a tour of the Parliament Building within the Lagos House, Marina was deliberate in order to give them a sense of history.
She said: “I believe that if our children know where we are coming from as a nation and the history of past governments, it will be easier to know where we are going to, thus the choice of this place as the venue for this short reception organised for these children”.
Speaking on the theme for the 2022 NAFEST: “Culture and Peaceful Co-Existence”, the First Lady called for a return to the culture of communalism against living in isolation, enjoining everyone to show concern to others, especially on things that constitute threats to fellow humans.
She also advised the children to be ambassadors of peace and communalism in their respective states by ensuring that all the values inculcated into them through the Eko NAFEST 2022 are internalised and applied in their daily activities.
The Director-General of the National Council for Arts and Culture, Otunba Olusegun Runsewe said that the First Lady had extended her love and care to the children participants as a medical doctor and mother.
He assured her that the warm reception given to the children would be a life-changing experience for them and would be cherished for several years to come.
The state Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs Uzamat Akinbile-Yussuf expressed satisfaction with the visit, saying that the children were able to learn more about Lagos and Nigeria.
She also appreciated Mama NAFEST for the reception and for making herself available to receive the children despite her tight schedule, alongside the Governor, Mr Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu who also joined the children during the photo session.
Apart from a tour of the Parliament Building at Marina, in batches. The children were also entertained by Footprints of David, a multiple award-winning children/student dance theatre group with vast experience in theatrical performances.
PIX 1-4: Images of the Lagos State First Lady, Dr. (Mrs.) Claudiana Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu hosting children participants at the ongoing week-long National Festival for Arts and Culture (NAFEST).
