By Nkiruka Nnorom

Creativity met compassion in Lagos as the Chinese Consulate General partnered with the Federal Ministry of Education and several Chinese community groups to mark the 2026 Nigeria-China Children’s Day in a celebration that reached far beyond ceremony.

Through the 4th Nigerian Children’s Drawing Competition, a Dragon Boat Festival, and the “Together Fight Against Hunger” charity drive, over 1,700 students from 29 states showcased their creative talent with the competition’s winners smiling home with N7.1 million in cash prizes, while Bethesda Home and School for the Blind along with 20 other children from low-income families received N4.7 million in food and support for its visually impaired students.

The drawing contest alone drew 1,730 entries from children aged 6 to 16, with 80 finalists emerging, while the 40 winners took home cash prizes ranging from N100,000 to N1 million.

Master Ameer Adekunle of Nurul-Islam Private Schools, Lagos, clinched the senior grand prize of N1 million, while lyeje Derek from Federal Government College, Kaduna took home N700,000 as second prize and Uzoma Amanda from Federal Government Girls College, Owerri, Imo state, got N500,000 as third prize.

‎Also in the basic category, Norah Ilelaboye from Elora College Lagos, received N700,000 as first prize;
‎Goodluck Ozinike from Ezona Primary School Lagos, got N500,000 as second prize and Ahmad Kabiru Ahmad from Federal Government College, Kano took home N300,000 as third prize, while 34 other winners got N100,000 each as consolation prizes.

But the event’s heart beat loudest at Bethesda Home and School for the Blind, where Chinese officials, ministry representatives, and the school’s CEO, Chioma Ohakwe used the occasion to renew calls for inclusive education, exchange programmes, and infrastructure support to ensure disability is never a barrier to opportunity.

‎In her remarks at the event, China’s Consul General in Lagos, Ms. Yan Yuqing, said the event was meant to show the blind and visually impaired children that they were loved and supported by both Nigerians and the Chinese community in Lagos.

She noted the timing was significant, with Nigeria’s Children’s Day on May 27 and China’s on June 1, and described the gathering as a charity initiative to strengthen China-Nigeria friendship.

She emphasized that even though the students cannot see, the gesture was meant to convey China’s goodwill and friendship “with heart and love”.

She thanked the school’s CEO, leaders, and teachers for their work, and said the children’s happiness was the “biggest gift” of the day.

Yuqing congratulated the winners, saying that the competition helps Nigerian children learn about Chinese culture, history, and bilateral friendship through art.

Mr. Solomon Fapohunda, Deputy Director of School Support under Education Support Services at the Federal Ministry of Education, described the China-Nigeria Children’s Day event as a product of bilateral cooperation in education, saying that the initiative showed China’s commitment to supporting Nigerian children and fostering long-term bilateral goodwill.

He said the partnership promotes self-reliance and skill development for Nigerian children, going beyond art to areas like construction and engineering.

According to him, the event strengthens business, economic, and educational ties between Nigeria and China, and opens the door for future student exchange programmes.

Fapohunda praised China for leading the celebration and giving back to Nigerian children, calling it a lesson for everyone.

He also acknowledged China’s broader contributions to Nigeria’s economy and business, and said the gesture toward children deserves applause and appreciation.

Dr. Chioma Ohakwe, CEO, Bethesda Home for the Blind, thanked the Chinese government and community for their long-standing support, saying that it has continued to impact positively on the visually impaired children and adults.

“Your support has not merely been generous, it has been truly transformative. Through your assistance, Bethesda Home for the Blind has been able to provide safety, education, rehabilitation, and dignity to individuals who might otherwise have been left behind. Because of you, many visually impaired children and adults now live with hope. purpose, and the confidence to contribute meaningfully to society.

“We do not take this support lightly. Every classroom built, every programme sustained, and every mouth you have fed stands as a great testament to your belief that development must be inclusive and no one should be excluded because of disability,” she said.

Ohakwe appealed for continued partnership from China, specifically support in building its new free College of Education facility for the visually impaired students.

She also requested an exchange programme with China for visually impaired students which would include sending the students to China to learn Chinese, or bringing a Chinese teacher to the Bethesda Home and School for the Blind to teach the language on-site.

Inspired by the Nigeria Children’s Drawing Competition, she asked for a similar arts/drawing competition tailored for blind students, either within Bethesda or in partnership with other schools for the blind.