By Murjanatu Abdullahi

The Naomi Stephen Children Foundation, also known as Favour Global Foundation, has championed children’s leadership development through play, creativity and the performing arts at the maiden edition of its Kaduna Summer Children’s Party, Talent Show and Awards.

The event, themed “Empowering Tomorrow’s Leaders Through Play and Creativity,” was held at Stemar Pinnacle Event Centre, Gonin Gora, Kaduna.

The programme provided a safe and engaging environment for children to learn, socialise and express their creativity while developing skills that could contribute to their personal growth and future leadership.

The event featured games, talent shows, paper presentations, awards and interactive activities, bringing together children from different backgrounds to interact, make new friends and enjoy a memorable holiday experience.

Speaking at the event, the Chairperson of the Civil Defence Officers Wives Association (CDOWA), Kaduna State Chapter, Mrs Victoria Musa, commended the foundation for organising the programme, describing it as timely, especially as children are currently on holiday.

According to her, the timing is apt, the holiday provides an opportunity for children to refresh themselves and engage in activities that promote creativity and social development before schools resume in September.

Musa stressed that raising children was a collective responsibility that required the commitment of government at all levels, parents, teachers and families.

She therefore called for more opportunities for children to play, explore and express themselves, noting that such activities were essential for developing confidence, creativity and leadership skills.

The guest lecturer, Dr Alabi Usman Dauda, Head of the Department of Fashion Design and Clothing Technology, Kaduna Polytechnic, presented a paper titled “Empowering Tomorrow’s Leaders Through Play and Creativity.”

Dauda explained that play was not merely a form of entertainment but one of the earliest and most effective ways through which children learn, explore, communicate, solve problems and build confidence.

According to him, creativity enables children to transform imagination into ideas, ideas into solutions and solutions into innovations capable of contributing positively to society.

“Every inventor, artist, scientist, entrepreneur and leader was once a curious child. The responsibility before us is to create an environment where children can discover their talents, express their ideas and develop the skills needed for the future,” he said.

He noted that educational scholars, including Jean Piaget, Lev Vygotsky, John Dewey and Friedrich Froebel, had emphasised the importance of active participation, exploration, social interaction and practical experiences in children’s learning.

Dauda urged parents to encourage children to ask questions, experiment and create, stressing that children who were given opportunities to explore were more likely to become adaptable, confident and productive adults.

Earlier, the Coordinator of the foundation, Comrade Shedrack Anzaku, welcomed dignitaries, sponsors, parents and children to the event.

Anzaku said the programme would not have been possible without the support of individuals and organisations, including the Father of the Day, Minister of Defence, General Christopher Musa (Rtd.); Mother of the Day, Mrs Victoria Musa; Air Commodore Aisha Abdullahi (Rtd.); Indomie; Seven-Up; Nigerian Breweries; and other sponsors.

He said the foundation intended to sustain the summer children’s party and introduce more programmes aimed at educating, entertaining and developing children.

According to him, the foundation commenced operations in 2020 and was registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission in 2021.

He added that it had implemented various initiatives, including “Operation Feed 100 Kaduna Children,” hospital visitations and feeding programmes for children in orphanages.

Anzaku appealed to individuals, organisations and other stakeholders to support the foundation in sustaining and expanding its programmes for children.

Goodwill messages were also delivered by representatives of the Sarkin Gonin Gora, Chief John Dodo, and the North-West Secretary of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Hajiya Daharatu Aliyu, among others.

The highlight of the event was the presentation of awards to distinguished personalities for their contributions to peace, leadership, community development, education and child advocacy.

General Christopher Musa (Rtd.), Minister of Defence, received the Guardian of Peace and Youth Mentor Award, while Mrs Victoria Musa was honoured with the Pillar of Unity, Progress and Child Advocacy Award.

Air Commodore Aisha Abdullahi (Rtd.) received the Excellence in Military Health and Community Development Award, while Dr Alabi Usman Dauda was presented with the Excellence in Fashion Education and Innovation Award, among other honours.