The Nation Newspaper

Tag: kids

  • KSDT: two kids beat show host to test

    KSDT: two kids beat show host to test

    Although the 6th edition of Kids Say the Darndest Things (KSDT) which aired on AIT over the weekend revealed the daily chores of each of the three kids on the show, as much as their hidden talents, the show also tested the participants on credibility.

    At the Etisalat Experience centre, the three kids that opened the last edition; Munachi, Emmanuella, and Demilekan were asked to hold an EtisalatMiFi and ensure they gave it to no one. Being the ultimate trickster, Tony Okungbowa, the host of the show set out to test the children and see if they would relinquish the device for a stipulated amount. Two out of three children declined his offer while only one of them was willing to sell the device at the right amount.

    The television show afforded children the freedom to express their perceptions on daily routines, hobbies and beliefs, while reacting to posers thrown at them by Okungbowa.

    Munachi, a 6-year-old who says she wants to become a doctor, showcased her domestic side, and expressed with delight how she sets the table with her mother for dinner.

    4-year-old Emmanuella, an avid lover of Bible songs, gave a riveting version of how God died for our sins and the process of the crucifix of Jesus Christ by persons she described as ‘bad guys’, while 4-year-old Demilekan on the other hand was very happy to tell the audience that her favourite food was Amala.

    Episode six was not all about everyday life, at least not after the 7-year-old future pilot, Joshua took to the stage and blew the minds of the studio audience with his mesmerizing ability to play the piano. Joshua did not only impress his audience with his ability to play the organ, he also showcased his good ear for which keys were played when he was put to a blind test of guessing what chords were struck by Okungbowa with eyes closed.

    Commenting on the sixth episode, Head, Events & Sponsorships, Etisalat Nigeria, Modupe Thani said, “The dynamic and unpredictable nature of Nigerian children is truly magical to watch. Children generally are gifts to be cherished and treasured. However, with the show, we get to see the innocence, brilliance, and remarkable abilities of the Nigerian children.”

    Thani added: ‘’As such, Etisalat is delighted to sponsor this show because it enhances their overall development and growth. Through Cliqlite, we consistently demonstrate our philosophy of contributing towards the education of the Nigerian Child.”

    Sponsored by Etisalat, KSDT currently enjoys wide viewership in many countries including, Australia, Singapore, India and Italy and it runs every Sunday, 7pm on AIT and DSTV Channel 253.

  • Nine kids ,hospitalised in Delta communities’ kerosene explosions

    Nine children have been taken to Warri Central Hospital to treat the severe burns they got in the explosions caused by suspected adulterated kerosene in Warri South and Udu local government areas of Delta State.

    The victims were said to have suffered between 50 to 90 degrees of burns.

    Some of the parents of the affected children told reporters in Warri that the incidents occurred on August 15 and 16 when the children attempted to fuel lit lanterns.

    Two of the victims’ father, Johnson Obethe, said his son and daughter, both of primary school ages, were pouring kerosene into a lantern at 10pm on Sunday when it exploded and burnt them.

    The case of 10-year-old Elozino Akwirorogbe and her brother of Merogun Street, Warri, was similar to the Obethes.

    Their mother said the children were also filling their lantern with kerosene when the explosion occurred.

    Elozino’s case was described as the most severe because the fire affected almost all parts of her body, including the face.

    Explosions from suspected adulterated kerosene were said to have also occurred in Aladja, Udu Local Government Area.

    Some patients at the Warri Central Hospital were said to have been brought from Aladja, following similar explosions in the area.

    A toddler of less than two years was being treated at the hospital for the burns she got on Saturday from an explosion from a firewood stove after her grandmother poured the fuel on the woods.

    Executive Chairman of Warri South Local Government Area, Mofe Edema, who visited the victims at the hospital in company of other council officials, called for an investigation into the incident.

    Edema urged parents and guardians to enlighten their children and wards against fuelling already lit appliances.

    The council chief promised to render financial aides, ranging between N20,000 to N30,000, to parents of the victims.

    He also promised to relate their ordeal to the state government.

    Eight children suffered severe burns in adulterated kerosene explosions in Warri, Warri South Local Government Area and Udu, Udu Local Government Area.

    The children who are lying critically ill at the Central Hospital, Warri, suffered between 50 and 90 per cent burns.

    Officials of Warri South Local Government Area, who visited them in the hospital, urged the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) to investigate the sources of the killer product.

    They urged the DPR to also stop further circulation of the adulterated fuel.

    The police said they were ready to assist in the investigation.

     

     

  • 55 parents pick 142 kids from Edo IDPs’ camp

    55 parents pick 142 kids from Edo IDPs’ camp

    Fifty-five parents yesterday identified and picked their 142 children from the Internally Displaced Persons (IDP) camp at Uhogua, Ovia North East Local Government Area of Edo State.

    The camp is being run by the International Christian Mission under Pastor Solomon Folorunsho.

    Six of the parents only came to see their children and were not going back with them.

    Governor Adams Oshiomhole, who hosted the families and their children to a dinner at the Edo Government House, said the Red Cross reunited the children with their parents.

    Oshiomhole said the state was not rejecting them, adding that the children were happy to return to their families.

    The governor assured that President Muhammadu Buhari would flush out Boko Haram in the Northeast.

    He said noting could be compared to the warmth of living with one’s family.

    Oshiomhole advised then IDPs to be free to live in any part of the country as a Nigerian and that the state government was prepared to make their stay comfortable.

    Oshiomhole said the other 800 IDPs at the camp would be given necessary education and facilities.

    Nahata Ayuba, who was at the camp for his four children, said he lives in Nasarawa State with his wife.

    The elated father said he was farming in his new location in Nasarawa State.

    He promised to return his children to the camp so that they could continue their education.

    Amos Azawarha, 50, a farmer in Abuja, said he wanted his family to be together.

    A woman, who identified herself aimply as Mrs. Daniel, said her husband was killed by Boko Haram insurgents.

    The woman said she lived in Abuja with her brother, adding that she would leave with two of her children while three others would remain at the camp.

    Pastor Folorunsho said he was happy that the state government reunited some of the affected families.

  • Etisalat Cliqlite takes kids to Camp Hype

    Etisalat Cliqlite takes kids to Camp Hype

    TELECOM service provider, Etisalat Nigeria has returned with the third edition of its childrens programme, Camp Hype. The programme which brings children of ages eight to 16 from across the country took place at the La Campagne Tropicana in Lekki, Lagos.

    A 10-day programme, the camp had children from different background come together to learn, have fun and create good relationship with each other.

    Manager, Teens Segment, Etisalat Nigeria, Mrs. Ifeoluwa Oyeyipo speaks about the purpose and idea of Camp Hype.

    “At Etisalat, we are always looking for innovative ways to respond to real needs so here we are. We have children from the age of eight to 16. They have interest in technology and they have to learn. It is the learning faze of their lives so we said let’s look for a way to combine learning and fun for the kids to enjoy the long holiday,” she said.

    According to her, Cliqlite is an educational product targeted at children, providing them the opportunity to be able to have access to free educational websites and an opportunity to communicate in a safe environment.

    “It has a parental guardian feature that ensures they don’t go to unwanted websites and to also ensure that they don’t receive calls from people that their parents don’t want them to talk to. Parental control is key with Cliqlite and it is about education, games, studies, books and protection of children online,” she said.

  • Seadogs lifts kids with disabilities in Calabar

    Seadogs lifts kids with disabilities in Calabar

    Raising awareness and support for children with disabilities was the objective as members of the National Association of Seadogs (NAS) convened at the fifth National Association of Seadogs (NAS) Charity Ball in Calabar, the Cross River State capital.

    The NAS Charity Ball is an annual event organised by the association to raise funds for humanitarian causes, taking into consideration the prevalent issues of society at the time.

    NAS Capone Prince Ifeanyi Onochie said the gesture was a quest to keep the dilemma and challenges confronting children with various learning disabilities on the front burner of people’s preoccupations and consciences.

    According to him, the association are forsworn not to let off steam on this path, not just because of the huge legal and legislative challenges of protecting the rights of the child or the daunting logistical requirements or knowledge gaps but because of the high propensity there is for the faint voice of the weak and vulnerable, to be drowned out in the hustle and bustle that have characterized human existence.

    Onochie said the NAS Charity Red Ball was conceived in 2005, for the purposes of interfacing with and further enlighten the general public on the aspect of NAS Charity/ Advocacy Work, to conduct peer review exercises with the aim of arriving at improved ways and means of collaborating with like-minded individuals and corporate organizations in articulating and implementing humanitarian and social advocacy programmes; and to raise funds for NAS Charity projects and to create a forum for social interaction between members and non-members.

    He said this year’s edition of the NAS Charity Red Ball was the first reloaded version in the series, and its theme, Championing the Cause, Supporting Children with Disabilities aims to broaden the theme of their focus in the United States to include issues of mental health, special education and vocation/rehabilitation of children with learning difficulties.

    “Against this background it becomes even more imperative to keep abreast of current developments, especially for the purpose of closing knowledge gaps for families of these special children and the society in general. The power and benefits of knowledge in making informed choices cannot be overemphasized. This is the core objective of the NAS Charity Red Ball. We in NAS believe that both humanitarianism and rights to self-determination are given wings to take flight upon the moral significance of the dignity of the individual being.

    NAS members also known as Seadogs or Pyrates are passionate about community services, development and voluntary work that there is no deck/chapter of the organisation that is not involved in more than one humanitarian project to uplift and improve the quality of lives in communities we live and work.

    “NAS usually will work closely with the selected beneficiaries to identify areas of priorities and the intervention needed. Upon an agreed line of action, informed by the budget, engage in direct execution of projects from start to finish, ensure judicious and purposed application of every kobo raised by your kind benevolence and generosity.

    “NAS will focus on these selected beneficiaries for one year, commencing from the date of the Charity Red Ball and lead collaborative efforts at making the public aware of the outstanding work these orgzations are doing to help the children and provide them with the necessary assistance and support.

    “The three selected beneficiaries for 2015 NAS Charity Red Ball are Project Comfort (School for Children with Learning Disability), Amaudo Itumbauzor, Abia State; Special Education Centre, Nursery/Primary Schools, Calabar, Cross River State; and Vocational rehabilitation Centre, Ememe, Enugu State.

    “As a people we must improve our knowledge about the inherent abilities in all humans. No more should we allow any child be thrown away because he or she is born with a disability. No more should we look away while children born with disability are treated as scums, demons or worse. The milk of kindness every human deserves must not be denied any child because of disability. The ability of the human mind to raise itself above any situation cannot be underestimated,” he said.

     

  • Kids talk health, safety on KSTD show

    As the sixth episode of the Etisalat-sponsored children show, ‘Kids Say the Darndest Things’ airs today by 7pm on AIT, Nigerian children will be conversing and sharing insightful and witty opinions on health and safety.

    The show is expected to feature the children paying a visit to one of the Fire Service Stations in Lagos in order to get a glimpse into the day-to-day activities of a fire fighter!

    Organisers say Episode 6 promises to keep viewers glued to their television screens, with the children displaying immense curiosity on a trip that gives them a brisk education in health and safety at the Fire Station.  Viewers will also see a mischievous side to the children as one of them avoids answering a question until the show’s host, Tony Okungbowa offered an incentive.

    Another child on the program makes an effort to narrate God’s process of creation, and expresses that ‘God used circumference for eyes’, but being too smart already, he does not need a ruler to measure our legs. Viewers of past episodes would again experience the children at their wittiest.

    Commenting on the visit to the Fire Station, Manager, Sponsorships, Etisalat Nigeria, Orah Egwu said that Etisalat is a company that consistently supports opportunities and initiatives that celebrate family values and children’s development. Egwu added that, ”At Etisalat, we will continue to show thought-leadership through programs that drive family fun time and enhance work life balance.”

    Making comments on the children’s visit to the fire station, the Executive Producer, Chichi Nwoko said, “The children were extremely excited about the visit to the Fire Station and it gave them a huge sense of belonging and responsibility to the community.  One of our key objectives of the show is to deliver a top-quality family entertainment television show.”

    ‘Kids Say the Darndest Things’, is an all-family show and the Nigerian adaptation of the American version which is fast becoming one of the most entertaining Family shows on television. It is powered by Cliqlite from Etisalat Nigeria and airs every Sunday, 7pm on AIT and DSTV Channel 253.

    The show currently enjoys wide viewership in many countries including, Australia, Singapore, India and Italy and the Nigerian adaptation, with the theme: “Your Kids are the Stars”, was launched in the first half of 2015.

  • Parents advised against isolating cerebral palsy kids

    Parents advised against isolating cerebral palsy kids

    Parents have been advised to treat children born with cerebral palsy (CP),  a brain problem causing inability to control muscles, with love.

    Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Benola cerebral palsy initiative, AVM Femi Gbadebo, gave the advice at a national cerebral palsy programme in Lagos.

    He said children living with this condition are just like any kid, and as such, should be  showed care.

    He said CP is caused by a problem in the brain, adding that it has no known cure yet.

    Gbadebo said people have very little understanding of the condition, saying that it is often misconceived.

    “Our understanding of CP was from our son, Olaoluwa” he added

    He lamented that some parents have been withdrawing their children from school because of their disability. Moreover, isolating a child with CP would not help matters but worsen it.”

    CP, he said, affects people in  different ways. “Some are blind and cannot talk while other talk and see. Our son falls in the category of those that cannot talk and see but he always smiles.”

    A consultant clinical psychologist at the Department of Psychology, University of Lagos, Dr Charles Umeh, said CP is a non-progressive neuro-developmental condition initiated early in life but persists into adulthood.

    Besides this, it could lead to loss or impairment of motor functions.

    Many scientists, Umeh said, are now making research on how CP patients can age gracefully.

    “People’s misconception is that those living with CP would not get old but the situation is different now as they live like anybody else,” he said.

    The senior lecturer said people with CP are weary of their future because they are not shown love.

    He said: “Their fear for the future is so much. When you relate with them they are not often seen to talk about the future.”

    He spoke of children with CP, especially one to five months old, not  being able to move their heads and always have trembling legs.

    “When they are between 10 to 36 months, they would not be able to sit or stand without help. They often have early-onset arthritis and increase pain,” he said.

    Others are physical problems, such as difficulty in walking, dental health challenges.

    There is also long-term effects of  drugs use, he added.

    His words: “People are not looking at them as people who have sexual needs. They cannot even express themselves so they resign to fate as if this world is not for them.”

    Most CP children, he said, have low self esteem, so they reject compliment thinking they are mocked.

    “They feel insecure and inadequate often’’

    Umeh urged parents not to isolate their children due to any disability because the only way to learn new things is by mingling with peers.

    “When they are restricted from social lives, they begin to get tired of life,” he added.

    Chief medical social worker, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Titi Tade said: “One billion people live with disabilities (15 per cent of world population) out of which 17 million have CP in the globe.

    “Zero to three years is the best time to teach a child. Once missed, it is difficult to catch up. Instead of doing this, most parents are busy looking for cure and they lose this period.”

    She said those with CP have needs and wants that are largely ignored because of religion, ignorance, culture and unwillingness to accept diagnosis.

    Tade, who spoke on Coping with the complexities of ageing, said nobody is without disability.

  • Abuja Kids Athletics Event: Kids clock sub 13 secs in 100m

    The maiden edition of  the Abuja Kids and Youth Athletics Event held at the Training Pitch of the Abuja National Stadium at the weekend produced some good results, especially in the 100m boys where kids between ages nine and 14 ran sub-13 seconds in the 100m event.

    A visibly happy initiator and chief organiser of the competition meant for boys and girls between the ages of eight and 17, Mike Enahoro, who is also a popular sports administrator and analyst, beat his chest after the event that he would produce world beaters in athletics in no distant future.

    “I am very happy with the results recorded here. You won’t believe that kids between the ages of nine and 14 years returned sub 13 and 12 seconds in 100m race. If these kids are worked on technically in less than 24 months some of them will make sub 10 seconds ion 100m”, Enahoro told SportingLife in Abuja at the weekend.

    He, however, shed more light on the reasons for organizing the event. “The Kids and Play Project is strictly my initiative. I am starting with the Kids and Youth Athletics Events that is taking place today (Saturday). This programme is mainly sponsored by me with support from the FCT Sport Council, and the National Sports Commission that gave us this training pitch for use.

    “1,111 children are participating in this competition. I am hoping there would be a diamond in the rocks here to represent Nigeria in no distant future. I hope to get kids from this event that would continue the line and supply chains of the Mary Onyalis, the Blessing Okagbares and the Metu brothers. They are here but we have to start them as early as eight years’ old.

    “It is not going to be a quick fix. We are not looking to win medals tomorrow but you can see that there is a production line of a thousand and hundred and eleven in the Federal Capital Territory alone. If we spread this out to every corner of the country we will become bigger than Jamaica that has between 300,000 to 3 million athletes. This means that Nigeria can do 15 million athletes at a stretch.

    “I am proud to be associated with this. This is me putting my time and I am asking Nigerian philanthropists to stop throwing money at anything but invest in the youths and grassroots sports. I am sure there are lots of kids in all the nooks and crannies of Nigeria that have not been given the opportunity to showcase their talents, sports-wise”, he observed.

    The mother of twin brothers, Praise and Promise Njoku that also clocked 12 secs in the 100m, Dr. Mrs Clara Njoku, showered encomiums on the initiator of the competition, Mike Enahoro, for the wonderful initiative.

    “The Kids and Youth Athletics Events is wonderful and awesome. I thank God for the man that initiated this programme (Mike Enahoro). I thank God for him and I am happy that he created this opportunity for the children to come together to key into this kind of game.

    “It’s an encouragement for the younger ones in Nigeria, and at least today we can pick some children out of this lot competing here for the future Olympic Games like in 2020. When you catch them young they tend to do better than when you allow them to grow older.

    “It’s a wonderful activity and I am happy today that my children- the twins are part of this wonderful event. I am supporting these boys to become future stars and I am using this opportunity to encourage parents to encourage their wards in doing sports and support this programme”, Dr. Njoku disclosed.

  • Kids Say the Darndest Things hits screens nationwide tomorrow

    Kids Say the Darndest Things hits screens nationwide tomorrow

    THE Nigerian adaptation of popular American kiddies comedy series, Kids Say the Darndest Things, powered by Cliqlite from Etisalat Nigeria will make its debut on AIT Channel 21 and DSTV Channel 253, on Sunday. This is following a successful premiere at the Silverbird Cinema, Victoria Island in Lagos last Sunday.

    Speaking at the premier of the show, Director, Brands and Experience, Etisalat Nigeria, Enitan Denloye, reiterated the telecommunication company’s commitment to discovering and nurturing talents.

    “We have decided to showcase the level of talent and wisdom that our Nigerian children have with this TV show,” Denloye said.

    “The series is also to enable the kids lend their voices to the society, so that the adults can learn from them and back them up rightly.”

    Recommending the show as a must-watch for the family, Executive Producer of the TV show, Chichi Nwoko, said, “Kids Say the Darndest Things is a show that everyone can relate to. It is an opportunity for adults to view the world from the kids’ perspectives, so we can better appreciate them. We cast the kids based on their wittiness in speaking their minds. The show is not rehearsed because it works best when kids say the darndest things.”

    Present at the premiere were some of the kids featured in the first episode and their parents. One of the parents, Theresa Enejo commended Etisalat for sponsoring the show, adding that, the telecom has again proved its innovativeness by bringing the Nigerian version of the show to the Nigerian audience.

    “I am happy that my daughter was featured,” Enejo said. “She had the opportunity of meeting her favourite artiste 2Face and that was very exciting for her.”

    Kids Say the Darndest Things features kids between the ages of two to 10 responding to posers thrown at them by the host of the show, Tony Okungbowa.

  • Three kids escape death as truck rams into building, damages car

    Providence saved three kids from death when a truck belonging to a waste disposal company   rammed into a building at 35, Moshood Bello Street, Meiran, a suburb of Lagos,last  Saturday.

    The kids were washing clothes in the compound when the incident happened at about 12 noon.

    The truck driver appeared to have lost control of the vehicle shortly after collecting refuse from a nearby house.

    As the vehicle veered off the road,it  smashed a Honda car parked inside the compound  against a perimeter fence.

    An eyewitness who chose to be unnamed blamed  the truck driver for the accident,saying:“he was so much in a hurry to make a U-turn while at the same time accelerating on this narrow street. The children were just lucky to escape death.”

    The owner of the car who asked not to be named said: “I just thank God that the truck did not kill the children who were washing clothes near my car. I had just finished washing the car when the incident happened. I had hardly  left the car to pick some items in my apartment when I heard a bang only to discover that the truck had veered into the compound and damaged my car.”

    Policemen from the Meiran Police Division were later invited to the scene while the truck was impounded.

    Another truck was deployed by the company to evacuate the refuse from the impounded truck.

    Workers of the waste disposal company however declined to speak with our correspondent on the incident because they did not have the permission to do so.