A youth choir in Lagos, All Saints Choir, Saints Joachim and Anne Catholic Church, Ijegun, Ikotun, has earned Maltina talent award at the just concluded Pitch Perfect Africa Kids choir competition in Lagos.
The group, which came third position, were made up of teenage boys and girls and were awarded N600,000 by Maltina for their outstanding and creative performance at the event organised by Eko Hotels and Suits.
Speaking during the thanksgiving celebration of the choir, the Parish Priest of the church, Rev. Fr. Andrew Abhulime advised parents to encourage their children to develop their talents within the church rather than joining negative groups in the society.
According to Fr. Abhulime, it is better to occupy our children with various positive talents within the church so they don’t get wrong or negative training from the larger society.
Fr Abhulime, the spiritual director of the choir advised the children to continue getting involved in activities that would be beneficial to their soul rather than the flesh.
“I advise all children to be more committed with positive activities and programs that would be beneficial to their eternity because there are various deceptive and negative invitations out there.
“If we do not keep these children busy in the church with youthful activities as this music competition, the larger society would definitely grab them and indoctrinate them with negative or alternative life style.
“Cultism, internet fraud, kidnapping, rape, gangsterism and various vices are products of poor foundation of our children from this young stage
“That is why I encourage youth activities in my parish, no matter what it would cost me because it is better to catch them young and build a positive spirit in them before they proceed to higher institution, ” he said.
He further congratulated Eko Hotels and Suits for bringing up various youth and teen programs that would be of great benefit to the society and the country at large.
Also speaking, the coordinator of All Saints Choir, Mrs. Josephine Obute, while appreciating Maltina and Eko Hotels, told sunnewsonline.com that more religious and cooperate bodies should take up sponsorships of such programs, saying it would shape the society positively.
“I commend Maltina company and Eko Hotels and Suits for their laudable initiatives but we need more groups to key into such a venture because when we groom our children positively, we are definitely going to have an ideal society.
” A society that is adulterated with negative or evil vices is as a result of poor foundation, so it is very urgent and important that more groups get interested in this formation stage to have a better tomorrow, ” she said.
Meanwhile, the Choirmaster, Joseph Egwu also appreciated Eko Hotels for providing a platform for his choir to showcase their talents and creativity.
” Am really grateful to the organisers of this program because it has challenged and exposed my choir that is located in a suburb of Lagos to a larger challenge which has given us a platform to showcase our talents.
“We are available for other competitions and challenges whenever the opportunity arises because it has become a stepping stone for us,” he said.
Also speaking, a parent of one of the lead vocalists, Mrs. Victoria Ogunsaki, while commending her priest for granting the choir the permission to face the external society, appreciated the organisers for creating such a platform for teenage competition.
“Am really happy that my daughter is involved in such a program because it has afforded her the opportunity to bring out her talent and also face a challenging battle for creativity,” she said.
Sunnewsonline.com reports that Eko Hotels and Suits holds Pitch Perfect Africa Kids choir competition annually to award children below the ages of sixteen for their outstanding talents and creativity.
The 2023 edition winner, Evolution Children choir was awarded N2 million by Eko Hotels and Suits for their outstanding talents and performance.