Promasidor flags Amila Painting Challenge in 200 schools in Lagos

By Akinbobola Adegboyega

Lagos, Nigeria, 15 November, 2012: In a bid to promote creativity among children, Promasidor Nigeria Limited, makers of Amila powered soft drink; has flagged off its Amila Painting Challenge in about 200 primary schools across 20 local government areas in Lagos under the first stage of the competition.

Under this stage, an art teacher in each of the selected schools will conduct a general painting competition among the pupils of the school to determine the best 10 that will participate on the Amila Day, that is the day of the activation from where an overall best winner will emerge to represent the school at each local government level.

According to Miss Feyisayo Aliu of Children of Africa Project, leader of team three, handling the activation on behalf of Promasidor, the challenge has been greatly accepted in schools as kids are willing to participate and the teachers are on ground to help coordinate them.

“So far we have seen lots of beautiful paintings that would make your mouth open. It competition has really brought out the creativity in children that you can see the excitement in them when painting and how other kids are wishing they were selected for the competition. It has been fun, fun and fun for the kids.”

At Obele Primary School in Lawanson, Surulere, Lagos, Master Ekemini Victor Obong, a 10-year-old Basic five pupil emerged the overall best. In the same vein, Master Ogogu Anthony, an 11year-old Basic six pupil was the winner in Methodist Primary School, Lawanson while at Subuola Nursery and Primary School, also in Lawanson, Master Kosi Chukwudi, a 13 year-old Basic six pupil clinched the first position.

These winners among others from the other participating schools will move on to the second stage of the competition which will be held at each local government.

Comrade Bisiriyu Ganiyu Alani, Chairman, Nigerian Union of Teachers (Surulere Local Government Area branch of NUT) said the school was very excited to have been selected to partake in the challenge and also to see that more light is now being shown on painting.

“I am very happy today because of the Amila Painting Challenge. I am excited my school is participating in it because it has taken the kids to a different level. You can see the excitement in them, they are extremely happy what more can one ask for. I am very impressed that painting has gone beyond being just an activity for classroom and has influenced their creativity.”

Excitedly, Comrade Alani who also doubles as the headmaster of Methodist Primary School, Lawanson, Surulere, said he was very impressed with Promasidor for the challenge as it has also created more endorsement for his school, remarking that the development will make more children to seek enrolment in the school in future.

Mrs. Abiola Inawo, Dairy Category Manager Promasidor had noted at a press conference to herald the competition that it would encourage schools to put more attention on arts and also that the competition will be in three stages.

“We are looking at 200 schools across 20 local government areas in Lagos. The competition will be in three stages, the first stage is at the school level where pupils will paint any art of their choice and the winner will represent the school at the local government area for the second stage. At the second stage, the overall winner from the local government level will get a branded Amila Bicycle and Promasidor goodie bags,” Inawo said.

The 20 finalists at the local government level will compete for the overall winner who will walk away with N250,000, 1st runner up N150,000 and the 3rd runner up N100,000 while there will be consolation prizes of N30,000 each for the other 17 contestants.

Amila powder soft drink was launched into the Nigerian marke in March 2009. Launched in four flavours, Orange, Apple Pear, Mango Appricot and Strawberry Banana, Amila is targeted at kids but ideal for sharing by all members of the family. Amila currently sponsors the 'Amila Spelling Bee' on Cool FM 95.9 anchored by Mannie.


Mrs. Efuwape Modupe, Assistant Head Mistress, Master Osogu Anthony, overall best pupil in the Amila Painting Challenge and Mrs. Eunice Oshinuga, teacher all of Methodist Primary School, Lawanson,Surulere during the Amila Day in the School in Lagos recently.