When child art takes the stage

Painting took the centre stage recently, as POWEI Foundation organised an arts’ competition, where children painted one of Nigeria’s foremost leaders and the nation’s first head of government, the late Sir Abubakar Tafawa Balewa.

It was organised to create awareness on issues that affect children’s health and their general well being, as well as to render a helping hand.

The foundation was floated as a result of a special child, Praise Glory Jolly, who suffered some illness, but was healed along the way.

The mother of Glory, Mrs. Jolly, said her daughter’s unpleasant health changes were confusing. She didn’t know what to say.

However, with dedication and utmost attention, the baby grew to become the face of Unilever Pears Baby of Year.

Jolly continued: “I just want to encourage parents, as well as make them know that the period from conception till birth and early years is when these symptoms begin to show, so, be aware of the changes you notice and report them as soon as possible and take care of the babies when they are born so that we do not have children with physical challenges in the society.”

A concerned woman, who addressed herself as Madam Felicia, advised parents to be careful about the programmes their kids watch and the things they read.

According to her, “children learn faster by what they see and they do not understand those emotional things, as a result, they tend to want to practice what they see innocently. Leaving them to watch whatever they want is like leaving them to the whole world.”

She also told parents to be careful of people they leave their children with. She said, “Most children call most adult men they see daddy, but be careful with some of these daddies.”

She advised children to play with other physically challenged children at school, as it helps them to recover, to some extent, and to always report anybody that touches them inappropriately to their parents.

Iwalewa Gallery was the major sponsor of the event. They offered their gallery as venue.