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Chinese Animation Africa Tour thrills children on their day

By Ngozi Egenuka
02 June 2019   |   3:11 am
Some children were treated to exciting fun and games at the Silverbird Cinema on Victoria Island, last week, to mark this year’s Children’s Day celebration.

Some children were treated to exciting fun and games at the Silverbird Cinema on Victoria Island, last week, to mark this year’s Children’s Day celebration.

The event was organised by the Chinese Animation African Tour, supported by China Ministry of Culture and Tourism and co-organised by Silverbird and Shang Hai Toonmax Expo Ltd.

Startimes Group, which sponsored the programme, brought exciting games and other fun filled packages for the children. They watched one of China’s best-animated films: Bonnie Bears: A Mystical Winter.

The children went home with such gifts items as hand fans and stickers, while they had their faces painted to represent any cartoon character of their choice. The dancing competition provided an opportunity for the children to show off their dancing skills, with the winners going home with prizes.

Olumutimi Oreofe, an eight-year-old pupil of Twinkle Star Primary School expressed delight at the event and film, hoping there would be a next time. He said he learned from the film that one should always protect the environment.

Mrs. Eremosele Joy, a parent, applauded the organisers for making children know they are worth celebrating.

She said: “As the children concentrate on academics, they still need to make out time to have fun, because as the saying goes, ‘all work and no play, makes Jack/Jill a dull boy/girl. The event enabled the children make new friends and learn new things.”

The Chief Operating Officer, Startimes Nigeria, Mr. Tunde Aina, said the tour organised by some Chinese companies was aimed at introducing their animations to African countries and to seek collaboration with local animators in Africa to produce animation relevant in their countries.

He said: “Animation is one of the most popular among Nigerian children. In Startimes, Nickelodeon is one of the top five channels in most of the cities, and Startimes Kids is among top 20 across the nation. That means there is a huge demand for animation. Unfortunately, available animations are foreign, and it is important for our children to be brought up by our culture.”

He explained that when the group came last year, the Minister of Information insisted that they partner local animators to create Nigerian stories and characters.

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