Abigail Van Buren, an American advice columnist and radio show host (popular in the 50s) once said, ‘’If you want children to keep their feet on the ground, put some responsibility on their shoulders.” These words came alive once again at the Inaugural edition of the Inter-house sports competition of Praise Generation Schools, Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, when the Chairman, Council of Ndi-Eze, Lagos State, inspired the pupils and students of the school the brilliant, eye-catching performances in their various sporting events.
The event, which held within the axis of the school premises, was filled with pomp and pageantry.
Highlights
The event was declared opened by the Chairman, Parents Teachers Association of the school, Mr. Ademola Adebayo, this was followed by the national anthem, as well as the opening speech by Chief Chris Ofia (KSM)- Okosis 1 of Egede Kingdom, Eze Udo of Ibeju Lekki and Chairman, Ndi-Eze , Lagos State himself.
During his speech, Chief Chris Ofia(KSM) introduced special guests who had come to add colour to the occasion. Part of these guests included the council of NdiEze of Lagos State, viz:
Chief (Dr) George Chukwudi- Dike Oha 1 of Ibeju Lekki
Chief Chime Dennis- Dike Nata-ogu 1 of Ibeju Lekki
Chief Livinus Afonnu, Omeihoma of Ibeju Lekki
Chief Joseph Anabike and Youth leaders, Mr Chukwuma Ogbonaya
The introduction was thereafter followed by the touch-bearing exercise, which officially signaled the opening of proceedings.
Once the opening formalities were done, the Inter-house sports proper began with colorful match pasts by the different houses. The Sunflower flower house took to the track first, followed by the Gladiolus House, the Daisy house and, finally, the Hibiscus house.
The match pasts were marked with handing over of flowers by the beautifully-dressed queens of the each of the houses. For this particular event, the Gladiolus house stole the shine with their transitions between quick and slow match pasts which drew massive applause from the ‘’cheering on’’ audience. Daisy house equally added colour to the match past with their right and left turning by numbers- even chorusing the house anthem at some point- It was really a beautiful sight to behold.
Races:
The track and field event was riled up with a flurry of activities and could easily pass for a mini athletics Olympics
The pupils competed in the following categories:
25 and 50 m races for Pre-school and Nursery
50m Boys and Girls for Lower Primary
100m Boys and Girls for Upper Primary
100m Boys and Girls for Secondary school girls
Side Attractions
Sack races
First to dress up
Picking the balls
Blowing the balloon till it bursts
Egg races
Performances
In Daniel Fortune of the Gladiolus House won the 100m dash for secondary school girls, Jacintha Okoye of Sunflower house came second, while Agboola Feranmi of the Daisy house came third
In the male category, God’s Favour of the Daisy house won the race, he was closely followed by Salami Aliu of the Sunflower house, while Lukman Godwin of the Hibiscus house came third
Primary Category
50m Girls
Lower Primary: Kareem Christiana of the Sunflower house emerged as the winner, while Igubo Mary came close second and Onagbemi Cherish of the Gladiolus house came third.
50m Boys
Orji Caleb of the Gladiolus house won the race, while Oni Samuel of the Hibiscus house came second, with Peter Amaziah of the Daisy house coming third
Upper Primary
100 Meters Girls
This category was won by Nwajiaku Chidiebere of the Hibiscus house, Nwajiaku Chioma of the Daisy house came second, while Ebiboluwa Dasola of Sunflower came third
Boys: Ayomide Oni Samuel of the Gladiolus house won the race
Parents’ Race
For the 100m women’s dash (1st set), Mrs Esther Okenwa emerged winner, while Mrs Nwajiaku emerged winner for the second set
Staff Race
In the 100m dash for women, Sandra Babade cooly won the race, while Doris Amaechi came second. In the male category, however, Kingsley Osim emerged winners
Overall, the Daisy house won the Inter-house sport fiesta, amassing the highest amount of points to lift the winner’s trophy
Chief Chris Ofia (KSM)’s Open Influence
Chris Ofia (KSM), Okosisi 1 of Egede kingdom, EZE Udo of Ibeju Lekki and Chairman Ndi-Eze Lagos State, a doyen; a gem of inestimable value; a shooting star; a pearl of great price and one who commands great respect, home and abroad. His presence was palpably felt all through inter-house sports fiesta, from being the number one cheerleader for all the pupils of the Praise Generation Schools to offering academic sponsorship to Fortune Daniel, who was tipped as the overall best performer for the Gladiolus house and even the award of a N20,000 cash to house captain, Oni Samuel, Chief Chris Ofia(KSM) was an all-round inspiration for the students, one that was rightly acknowledged by all and sundry.
In all, it was a great and very rewarding outing for the pupils, one that would remain memorial for them, for time to come!
