For children of all the public primary schools represented at the Lagos Children Christmas Party, every day should be Christmas. Held at Opebi Primary School, Allen Avenue in Lagos, the annual funfair lived to its billing as children could not hide their excitement.
Managing Director of Firstline Group, organisers of the programme, Adetola Okanlawon, stated that the festiva is committed to touching lives of the underprivileged, saying, Firstline chose children of the public primary schools because they are usually the ones born without a silver spoon.
He said, “We chose children of public schools because they are mostly the ones, not born with the silver spoon. Therefore, the party is a pro-poor, pro-children initiative. We envision positive memories among the children in the midst of not-too-impressive happenings in the society and we tilted to the path of fun because children like fun.”
Okanlown emphasised that the feast is not a publicity stunt as the company has done so many things for the underprivileged unnoticed including the monthly initiative called, FeedTheFutureToday, which particularly identifies with thesechildren every month to feed their minds with lessons of values needed for the future and positive mindset whilst also celebrating the birthday of the children of the month.
“Lagos Children Christmas Party is not a child of circumstance neither is it for some form of recognition. The festival is one of our own humble ways of giving back,” he noted.
Chief Operator Officer, Firstline, Akeem Ayanlowo said the Lagos Children Christmas Party, has the objective of inculcating in Nigerians the spirit of giving and helping the poor to come alive, especially during the Yuletide.
“We have many partners who have achieved this success with us together and we appreciate them in no small measure. We encourage individuals and organisations to always come out and stand for the less privileged, ” he appealed.
The party is an annual children’s party meant to create emotional connectedness between Firstline and the Nigerian child who is not so privileged. Every year, the festival gets the children together and distributes free food, gift items, and goodie bags. Other fun frills are competitions and games.
Apartner of Frontline CSR initiatives Olubunmi Ogun, said if well meaning Nigerians should take giving seriously, politicians will not come, campaigning with what should actually be part of our everyday life.
Another partner of the initiative, Adeyemi Egbeoluwa stated that it is targeted at creating positive thinking, attitude and giving culture among Nigerians, saying, it is a veritable way “to feed the common child in the street who has got little or nothing to eat.”
This year’s party hosted 5000 children from different public primary schools. Schools represented include: Opebi, Agidingbi, Shogunle and St. Peters Primary Schools Lagos.
The children enjoyed themselves as they went home with lots of gift items and foods from the organisers. Many children-friendly entertainers like Mickey Mouse and Barney were present as a teenager saxophonist, Boluwatife Olulade excited the children with beautiful tunes.
Partners of the Lagos Children Christmas Party include Integrated Systems and Devices Limited, Bakers World, Total Nigeria, Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria, Daystar, Haansbro, Rite Foods, Swagelok Nigeria, Konga, Fitting Finishing Limited, Communication and Marketing Research Group, PEP Stores, among other well meaning Nigerians.