FCMB, UNICEF collaborates to boost CSR
By Princewill Ekwujuru& Esther Onyegbula
First City Monument Bank Plc in collaboration with the United Nations Children Education Fund (UNICEF), boosts Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), as it drives creativity in children .
Mr. Kenny Aliyu, Group Corporate Affairs Manager, FCMB, at the reward ceremony of the painting competition tagged; “The Nigeria that I see,”said the competition was part of the bank’s CSR initiative to give children a platform to show case their creative ability and talent, while the fund raised from the sales of the children’s painting would be used to fund and provide books and a bright future for the less privilege children in our society; in line with fulfilling it’s CSR drive, as well giving back to the society.
Aliyu stated that the uniqueness of the competition is that each painting represented what the children observe Nigeria , their motherland without being biased.
His words, “some see Nigeria as a great nation, while others see it as a nation inhabiting the most terrible creations from the almighty God. Some view Nigeria as a 419 nation, while some see it as one of the most corrupt nation ever created by God.”
Speaking, Oladele Ajayi-Lad, Curator/Cultural Administration, Lagos State Council for Art and Culture, noted that, “about four hundred artworks exhibited before the adjudicators were critically scrutinised before taking into consideration the mental capacity of the children, fifty were selected and exhibited and three out of these fifty came out tops, as first, second and third respectively.
Use of colours, creativity and originality were the factors considered by the jurist when selecting the best three were considered he said.
The first position went to eleven year’s old Uranta Jesse king from D-IVY College Ogba; he illustrated the map of Nigeria couple with green and white showing hands of fellowship from the three ethnic groups in Nigeria.
Mercy Osabo from TUNKEM International School, Gbagada, came second with her painting illustrating the map of Nigeria showing all the expectations of the federal government to the good people of Nigeria, such as power, water, health, agriculture and communication facilities.
While the third winner Banny Kingsley from Excel College Ejigbo made an illustration of Nigerian map without fear indicated basic infrastructures and transports systems which the federal government out to have provided but failed to do so. It also showcased hard working artisans who in spite lack of government’s encouragement striving to be the best in their field.
First prize winner Uranta Jesse king from D-IVY College Ogba was given the sum of N250, 000, while first runner up Mercy Osabo from TUNKEM International School, Gbagada went home with N150, 000, and third place winner Banny Kingsley from Excel College Ejigbo carted away with the sum of N100, 000 courtesy FCMB and UNICEF.
Some of the schools that participated in the competition were: D-IVY College Ogba, Excel College Ejigbo, TUNKEM International School, Gbagada, diamond private school Ikoyi, Emerald Schools Gbagada, Pampers Private school Surulere, international school Lagos, Coronal school Ikoyi, UniLag staff School, FEBILAK school, High gate Academy, and others.
