By Olasunkanmi Akoni

In an unprecedented manner it was all fun galore at Ibeju-Lekki area of Lagos last Sunday, as about 2,000 Lagos kids converged at the popular Eleko Beach to engage in an end of the year party with alot of prizes won by lucky winners.

The party was sponsored by Senator Gbenga Ashafa, representing Lagos East senatrorial District in the Senate.
The beach, and indeed the Eleko community, for the first time hosted one of the largest convergences of fun-seeking kids and parents, some of whom were seeing tides of nature for the first time.Notwithstanding the warm sunny afternoon, the cool breeze drifting with the restless ocean surge made the location most inviting and refreshing, as much as the event was entertaining.

Some kids watched in awe as adults – actually, locals of the community – played hide and seek in the heart of the ocean. For others, it was time to go horse riding. And for about seven hours the fiesta lasted, “it was fun all the way,” the kids said.
Ashafa was to felicitate with the Lagos children, drawn from the nooks and crannies of the state, to party in the spirit of the season.

Welcoming the fun-loving kids, accompanying  by parents and guardians, elders of the community and party members, Ashafa said the idea of hosting the children at this yuletide period was born out of “my own personal concern, love and care for the children.”

He said: “Their innocence, genuineness and tranquility should occupy our minds and be ready to help channel their destiny towards a brighter future. But, this would be a big task without, first, making them happy; show them that they are also important; and of course that truly, they are our future leaders. I am highly delighted that this is happening today, and that we are the one doing it for them, while I enjoin all to emulate it,” Ashafa said.

Beyond merry-making or a piece of jamboree, the Senator advised that the occasion should also be a time to feel among; “to celebrate our children and to show them that it is not only the adults who deserve to wear our party crested shirts.”

All Progressives Congress (APC) member in the Local Government, Bayo Soniyi said the convergence was an evident of quality leadership and effective representation of the party that Ashafa is known for. Soniyi said: “We can attest that this is the first time we are seeing such large gathering in Eleko and we are grateful. Ashafa knows that real followership starts with the children, and that is what he has shown here today,” Soniyi said.

Though in their large numbers, the organiser ensured that each kid went home with a pack of goodies. In the quiz competition – to test their knowledge of indigenous Yoruba language and moderated by the popular radio presenter, Ayo Okedokun – winners went home with LCD 24-inch television set, power generating set and sound system. First prize winner of the television set, Rasidat Elemoro was grateful to the organiser for the unique opportunity and hopes to see a repeat of the fiesta in 2014.