By Josfyn Uba
The Yuletide season is a time to share love, happiness and merriment. So, for both pupils and teachers of Oba Yekini Adeniji Elegushi Primary School, Itedo community, Lagos all shades of brightness came shinning into their lives, recently.
The Rotary Club of Lekki Phase 1, Lagos, hosted an end of year/ Christmas party for the school, bringing holiday cheer and joy to the entire local community. The event featured a variety of activities including games and traditional music from the three major tribes in Nigeria. .
It was a fun-filled day for both the host school and members of the Rotary Club. The school premises were well decorated with the Rotary Club banners while most of the pupils were adorned in enchanting Christmas decorative caps. All these were to ensure that each child felt special during the celebration.
The pupils entertained the guests with music and dance from various ethnic groups. Teachers and members of the club danced happily embodying the true spirit of love and warmth for the season.
In his opening speech, Club president, Sina Elusakin said that Rotary Club’s commitment to bring festive cheer, reinforce the importance of education and spread hope and happiness among school children was the main purpose of the end-of-year party
The event also highlighted the importance of basic education and literacy. Rotary supports community development and it is their belief that children who worked hard during the year deserve to be rewarded.
The President noted that an occasion like this would also make the children to have good memories of the school during the holidays as a place of fun where they are also available to learn and develop while for the teachers, it is a way of identifying with them and appreciating their sacrifices every day to develop other people’s children. “It is also to let the teachers know that their labour is not in vain and that they are recognized, loved and cherished”.
On behalf of the pupils and the staff of the school, Abu Blessing read an appreciation note to the members of the club reflecting on the incredible support and impact the club has made to support the school over the years.
They noted that the club’s selfless commitment to serving humanity has made a profound impact in the school
“Your tireless efforts to promote, improve and support the vulnerable in the school has inspired us to continue striving for excellence. Your generosity, expertise and passion have enabled us to achieve our goals and make meaningful improvement”
Elusakin stated that the club has supported this school in many ways, will continue to support the school and would also call the attention of the authorities to their needs when required.
In tandem with the club’s seven areas of focus which is Water, Sanitation and Hygiene, he noted that they have provided tables and chairs for the offices of the headmistress and her assistant, exercise books, water bottles for all the pupils and restocked the school’s First Aid Box.
“Other areas of support over the years include the provision of toilets, computer laboratory which not only served the school but also the neighboring communities for the period it lasted. We also provided a generator to supply power for the computers. On yearly basis, we have been supplying books and other writing materials while the end of year party has been going on for some years”.
The annual Christmas party, not only serve as a celebration of the holiday season but also as a reminder of the power of community and the joy of giving.
The atmosphere was in itself a magical realm of some sorts buzzing with bright colourful lights, festive decorations, dance and music that resonated with the spirit of Christmas.
There was so much to eat and drink. The club presented them with a cake, while assorted gift items were distributed to the pupils. The teachers also smiled home with bags of rice and groundnut oil.