Eboigbe’s Picnic and Fun Day rekindles family values, togetherness

It was an evening of fun, excitement and thrills last Sunday at the Family Picnic and Fun Day 2016 organised by Eki Faith Ebiogbe-inspired Entertainment Bus-Stop Ltd. It took place at Queen Amina Garden, National Theatre, Lagos, and was in commemoration of International Day of Families as proclaimed by the UN General Assembly since 1993. It had as theme ‘Families, Healthy Lives and Sustainable Future.’

The picnic was aimed at promoting awareness of issues relating to families, and to increase knowledge about the social economic and cultural issues affecting families.

While welcoming guests, Eboigbe said, “Family is where values and morals are instilled in children before they socialise with the public”.

One of the patrons, Mr. Olu Ajayi, harped on the responsibility of families, and noted, “contemporary lifestyle is different from what our ancestors used to be – that is culture. Culture is very dynamic. It is the way you respond to your immediate environment and how you contend and proffer solutions to it”.

Also, Deputy President, National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTAP) Mr. Stephen Ogundele, noted that family as “a group of people that decide to stay under one roof, usually under a head. It is the smallest unit of society that shares common opinions and ideas. What becomes of society is determined by the upbringing of the smallest unit of society which is the family”.

Eboigbe said the project was about fostering proper environment for bringing up children in a world radically different what it was while she was growing up. According to her, “I grew up around the 1970s where communal families were identified. Everybody was involved in the upbringing of a child unlike now when we have gates built up everywhere and the next door neighbor can not correct your child because you will take offence.

“The aim of this project is to build up relationship amongst family members and give the children of the 21st century the courage to talk to their parents about what they need so we have less touts on the streets, less armed robbers and less corruption in the country”.

She also tasked parents not to allow whatever they are passing through affect their responsibility as parents. Eboigbe assured that the project would help children understand the concept of family, values, diversity and respect, adding, “This is the maiden edition; it is going to be a yearly event and more creative ideas will be coming every year to engage the family to participate together”.

Also in attendance were Dr. Ameze Odia and Mr. Abiodun Abbey who is the Director of Abuja Carnival.

The event featured dance performances and role-play by the children, and storytelling by aunty Noma who read the story of a disobedient child called Sanami who sang by the riverside until a monster came and kidnapped her and hid her in a drum.