Children showcase artistic skills in dragon boat festival, competition

To promote creativity among young Nigerians and celebrate the friendship and cultural exchange between Nigeria and China, no fewer than 120 Nigerian children artists participated in the Dragon Boat Festival and 2nd Nigeria Children Drawing Competition.

The event was organised by the Hua Xing Arts Troupe Nigeria in collaboration with the Consulate General of the People’s Republic of China in Lagos.

Speaking, Consul General of the People’s Republic of China in Lagos, Ms. Yan Yuqing emphasised the significance of the Dragon Boat Festival in Chinese culture, while commending the children for showcasing the richness of their culture and tradition through their artwork.

Yuqing said: “I am thrilled to celebrate the talented winners. As I looked through their drawings, two paintings caught my attention. The first one depicts our traditional dragon boat races during the festival, and I must say, I’m impressed by the attention to detail and creativity. The second drawing is a Nigerian family and a Chinese family coming together, symbolising the unity and bond between our nations. It resonates with a powerful message of harmony and friendship between China and Nigeria.

“As I often say, children are the hope and future of the country. I hope these children will be the ambassadors of Nigerian culture, depict the excellent Nigerian culture with their pencil and brushes, and let more people know and love Nigeria.

“While I also hope they would be the builders of China-Nigeria friendship, building a bridge of exchanges between China and Nigeria with drawings and paintings. We will continue to support institutions in Nigeria to foster cultural exchanges and cooperation between the two countries.

Also speaking, the Deputy Commissioner of Police and Nigeria’s First Olympic Gold medalist, DCP Chioma Ajunwa-Opara (retd), commended the Chinese community for their efforts in supporting Nigerians, particularly the children

“Art transcends borders. These young artists are our future, and their expressions today will shape tomorrow’s world. Our children are not only the inheritors of our cultural heritage but also the architects of a brighter future. Let us celebrate their creativity and encourage them to dream big.”

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Chinese Commercial Enterprises Association and Hua Xing Arts Troupe Nigeria, Dr Eric Ni urged the children to prioritise their studies and praised them for their impressive artwork.

A total of 120 entries from children aged 6-15 were submitted. After a rigorous selection, 25 talented young artists were invited to showcase their artistic skills and creativity in the presence of the jury, while 20 winners were selected.

The winner, Prosper Orji from Whitespring Genius School, Gbagada, Lagos, took home N500,000 as the first prize, two winners took the second prize of N300,000 each, three winners took third prize of N200,000 each, while 14 others got consolation prizes of N50,000 each.

The event featured vibrant Chinese dance performances by Hua Xing Arts Troupe, and an impressive display of artwork. One of the highlights of the event was the drawing of Nigerian and Chinese flags by Israel Olowokere, a former cataract patient, whose sight was regained through the sponsorship of the Chinese Community.

The Dragon Boat Festival and the Nigeria Children Drawing Competition have become significant annual events, promoting creativity among young Nigerians and celebrating the friendship and cultural exchange between Nigeria and China.