Yinka Olatunbosun
This year makes the fifth edition of the Vision of the Child (VOTC), an annual event that brings creative children together in Lagos. What we have witnessed in previous editions has been the race to winning the prize in painting within the framework of a theme.
The theme for this edition is rather humorous, “Sisi-Eko at 50: Ageing Gracefully or Na So-So Pancake?" This new race has been reshaped by necessity, perhaps the silent wishes of a number of people. Since creative energy is not always expressed singularly, this annual event has branched out to accommodate children who can also express their budding literary talents.
Inside the conference room at the top floor of the Diamond Bank Building at Oniru, Lagos, children, teachers, scholars as well as culture journalists and advocates met at the unveiling of the 2016 edition of the Vision of the Child competition, sponsored by Diamond Bank Plc. There sat the literary giant, Prof. Wole Soyinka. Beside him was the Deputy Governor, Lagos State, Dr. Mrs Idiat Oluranti Adebule. The state had been at the fore in promoting creativity through a series of cultural programmes and it was no surprise that the Deputy Governor came to throw her weight behind the initiative in words and deeds.
In his opening remarks, the visionary writer and initiator of the Vision of the Child, Soyinka, said the theme had been designed to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Lagos as a state. The actual anniversary ceremony is billed for 2017.
“Childhood is an invaluable time in an individual’s life which should be filled with sweetness and light. However, the past few editions of the competition have revolved around gloomy themes as we realise that life also has its ugliness and pain, and it is in acknowledging these that we can all share in the collective responsibility for good.”
Soyinka also gave the audience an insight into the rationale for turning the single disciplinary contest to a binary affair.
“This provides an interactive challenge designed to stretch youthful imagination and skills across genres. It may yet evolve even further, eventually turning into an artistic decathlon," he added.
Using mental pictures, Soyinka revealed the reason for choosing the theme by comparing the human mind to a kaleidoscope. He grew up with kaleidoscope as a toy but now, as an adult, he sees the tubular instrument as a metaphor for the human mind which does not pretend that all is colourful and beautiful but extracts colour and beauty from the surrounding reality, Soyinka expects the theme to provoke expressiveness, rational thinking in a child.
The deputy governor revealed that the initiative is in sync with the new educational policy of the state that is geared towards an all-round development of the child. It is called “3600 education".
Adebule also encouraged the children to ask questions and be open to need ideas.
She noted that the implementation of the new 3600 education policy will not be complete without partnership with platforms such as Vision of the Child. She commended Diamond Bank for being supportive of this programme and urged other corporate organisations to imitate their efforts.
The Managing Director/CEO, Diamond Bank, Uzoma Dozie reiterated the commitment of the organisation in sustaining the partnership with VOTC. He stressed the importance of creative content in global space, pointing out that while robots can take over many physical tasks in future, they cannot provide creative content. He was of the view that children should be nurtured to have holistic education.
To spice up the event, there were readings from last year’s finalists who came in company of their teachers and school mates.
The painting and literary arts competition which opened on January 21 will close on March 4. Participants who wish to enter for the competition.
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