The Centre for Black and African Arts and Civilization (CBAAC) on Thursday harnessed and spurred children’s creativity through a talent hunt, held in commemoration of the Day of the African Child.
The talent hunt event had students from over 10 schools compete in traditional chants, saxophone, talking drum, poetry, piano, folklore, comedy, set drum and cultural dance performances.
The program with the theme “Harnessing The Creative Talent of the African Child” was held in Lagos.
The participating students presented rib cracking comedies, soul-searching poetries, interesting set drum performances and all.
Hon. Oluwabunmi Amao, Director-General, CBAAC, during the program said that the talent hunt program was deliberately held to harness children’s talents.
Amao noted that as the day of the African Child was instituted to create awareness on the plight of the African Child, it was also necessary to celebrate the bravery and ingenuity of the African child.
She said as it was known that creativity drives the world economy, there was great need to catch children young to properly harness their potential.
” It is our belief in CBAAC that providing an avenue that nurtures, promotes and enhances the creative talent of the African child was key in preparing them for a better and brighter future.
” The center has made the day of the African child one of its flagship programs to be celebrated annually with a talent hunt.
” The initiative will continue to serve as a platform where children can develop their God given talent, showcase their creative skills, mingle and exchange ideas with their peers and air their views on issues that affect their wellbeing,” she said.
Amao advised the participating students to always take every opportunity to develop their talent which was capable of enriching them at the long run.
Dr Sheyi Kehnny, Associate Professor of Music, University of Lagos, who was the head of jury for the program announced the winners for each category of the competition.
He advised the students not to allow their academics to hinder them from developing your creative ideas.
The schools that participated in the talent hunt included Aunty Ayo International school, Ikoyi; Dowen College, Lekki; Federal Science and Technical College, Yaba; Golden Anchor Group of Schools, Yaba; Iiogbo Junior High School, Ebute-Meta and Mary Anne College, Lagos Island.
Others were: Masterpiece College, Ayoninujesu; Christ the Redeemers Secondary School, Gbagada; STC College, Ojuelegba; De Basic Innovation International School; Top Grade Secondary School, Surulere and Queens College, Yaba.
For each category of the competition, the children were rewarded.
Those with first position were given N100,000, the second position got N80,000 while those with third position were given N50,000.
Each of the participating students was also given a certificate of participation.
