Children's Centre University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria.
| Children's Centre University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria. |
Our Motto: By Reading We Learn, by Knowledge We Serve.
Joanne Ezeilo, a longtime friend and former member, met with children to develop a motto for the Children's Centre during her visit in May. The above motto summing up the Children's Centre mission was presented to the community during the May 30 th Children's Day Celebration. Our thanks go to Joanne for initiating this activity and the children for contributing their ideas.
Children's Day Celebration, 2009
The Children's Centre celebrated this year's Children's Day in grand fashion on Saturday, May 30 th in an event that brought together a multitude of children from 15 primary schools and friends and well-wishers from the community and beyond. The theme of the celebration was: The Nigerian Child in the Next Ten Years. Schoolchildren presented cultural dances, drama, miming, essays, poems and creative arts to the enthusiastic assembly. They also competed in a quiz organized by the student organization AIESEC. Another highlight was the appearance of Mickey Mouse to dance with the children. The event was organized under the leadership of Grace Anyanwu and Ngozi Osadebe, assisted by Amaka Ejikeme, Fidelia Asiegbu, Ezinne Njoku and Stella Nwadinobi. The ever able Mr. Gozie Arazu acted as master of ceremonies for the occasion.
We thank the many donors who contributed in cash or in kind to the success of the event. They include: Engr. T. N. Osadebe, Director of Works Services, UNN; Bonez Nig. Ltd. (N50,000); University of Nigeria Micro Finance Bank (N40,000); Enyap & Sons Nig.; Hillson Nig.; Jives Table Water; University of Nigeria General Ltd.; Chioma Bakeries; Lion Table Water; Coca Cola Bottling Company; United Bank for Africa (UBA); Igwe and Lolo Mamah; Lolo Okwor; Dr.(Mrs.) I. Echezona; Ecaison Pure Water; Chitis Bakeries; Prof. Uche Agwagah; Mr. & Mrs. Umeano (Estate Officer); Prof. & Dr. (Mrs.) Anyanwu; Prof. & Mrs. Nwadike; Sir & Lady Idoko; Mr. Ferdinand Asogwa; Dr. Sam Chukwu (Samsee); AIESEC students; and all staff of Children's Centre.
Mrs. Ify Nebo, UWA Patron sent off
Monday, June 1 marked a bittersweet occasion as the women bade a fond farewell to UWA Patron and wife of the out-going Vice-Chancellor, Mrs. Ify Nebo. Members appreciated the many forms of support received from their patron, from teaching baking and crafts during vacation programmes and participating in Centre events, to keeping our needs and requests ever before the Vice-Chancellor and seeing them through to a favorable conclusion. They also expressed admiration for the humanitarian role Ify Nebo has played, for instance in her work for prisoners. Mrs. Teresa Mbakamma and children from.
the University Staff School presented a special rendition of the Children's Centre anthem in her honor. On her part, Mrs. Nebo shared her experiences in developing entrepreneurial skills in home crafts. As a remembrance she gave the Centre one of her stitch-n-stuff works portraying Noah's ark .
Obituary Prof. Ogbu Uke Kalu, 1942-2009
The Children's Centre joins in mourning the sudden death of Prof. Ogbu Kalu, husband of the Children's Centre Committee's founding chair, Prof. Wilhelmina (Willi) Kalu on January 9, 2009. Among his many other notable accomplishments, Ogbu Kalu played a crucial role in the development of the Children's Centre. As a member of the University of Nigeria Governing Council from 1980-1984, he gained the support of the University administration and connected sympathetic alumni, in particular Chief E. C. Iwuanyanwu and Prince Albert E. Koripamo, to the Children's Centre. The result was the Madam Hulder Iwuanyanwu Building , the Centre's first bus and library collection, and the original playground. We extend our sympathy to our friend, his wife Willi, and his children Edward, Stella, Jayne and Patsy.
Children's Centre acquires artwork by Ify Nebo
Stitch and Stuff artwork by UWA Patron Ify Nebo featured in an exhibition at the National Commission on Museums and Monuments, Enugu February 14-20, 2009. Committee members visited the exhibition and acquired a piece illustrating the nursery rhyme Hey, diddle diddle! for the library.
Women's book club takes up themes of motherhood and race relations
The February meeting of the book club discussed Ann Crittendon's Price of Motherhood , a critique of policies negatively affecting mothers in the United States and comparison to practices elsewhere. Members went on to discuss comparable dilemmas in Nigeria and explore possible steps enabling mothers and parents generally both take care of their families and work effectively outside the home. The novel To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee , an examination of race relations in the American South during the 1930s, was the topic of the March discussion. Members considered the depiction of parent-child relationships and small town society, the racial inequalities prevalent at that time, and the changing situation in the United States signified by the election of Barack Obama.
Pavilion rebuilt at new playground
The Children's Centre pavilion, originally built at the old playground in 1980 and decorated with sculptures by the students of El Anatsui, has been re-constructed at the permanent playground site. It is named in loving memory of Uju Ubagu (1983-2006), whose memorial fund supplied 630 pounds sterling for the re-construction. The sculptures were rescued from the old site just as bulldozers moved in to start construction for the NUGA games. The new pavilion, which features a thatched roof and brightly-painted dwarf wall, is fast becoming a favorite spot for relaxation and story hour activities.
Annual Report 2007-2008 now out
The latest annual report is now available and can be viewed under Publications.
Children share Amadi's Snowman via the Internet
Saturday storyhour in November gave children the opportunity to share Amadi's Snowman , a picture book about an Igbo boy who discovers the value of reading, with children around the world . Amadi's Snowman is written by Katia Novet Saint-Lot, who spent many years in Enugu, Nigeria, and illustrated by Dimitrea Tokunbo. Members of Children's Centre and children from Central School I in Nsukka discussed the book, shared favorite books and experiences with reading with children in India , the United States and other countries. They also exchanged pictures and answered questions about their life in their respective countries. More information on the virtual tour is available at www.papertigers.org/wordpress/tag/katia-novet-saint-lot .
Chief (Dr.) E. C. Iwuanyanwu donates 18-seater bus
September 2008 saw the arrival of a new bus for the Children's Centre. It was purchased from the 2 million naira donated by Chief (Dr.) E. C. Iwuanyanwu following the Children's Centre 25 th Anniversary. Already the bus has been put to good use for long vacation excursions, school visits, and trips to Enugu for the 2008 book fair and other purposes. We are very grateful to our ever-generous donor for this most valuable gift!
The Children's Centre recently participated with schools around the world in an online global water summit introduced to us by former member Ogonna Agu. From January to May children from the United States, Nigeria, Sweden, India and other countries studied issues relating to water by communicating online, sending digital photos, accessing video clips, calculating water usage, and sharing ideas and experiences. The project culminated in a global summit on May 9, 2008 during which the Children's Centre gave a powerpoint presentation on the problem of water scarcity in the Nsukka community.
Merrileas Nursery raises funds for Children's Centre
Children of the Merrileas Nursery of Parkside School, England recently raised fundsfor Children's Centre by designing and making their own Christmas cards. Proceeds of the sales came to 317 pounds sterling. The Children's Centre is very grateful to the children for this laudable effort.
PULA donates 2,000 books to school libraries
In the first half of 2008 the Children's Centre distributed 2,000 books donated by People United for Libraries in Africa (PULA) to 8 primary schools in the Nsukka area. These included books shipped from the United States and those purchased locally from publishers in Nigeria. A team from Children's Centre held on-the-spot cataloguing sessions to help the schools organize their collections. Recipients included Central School I, Township II, Model School 2 (pictured here) and Agu Achara in Nsukka and schools in the rural communities of Obimo, Nguru, and Nru.
More Events: click here