Last week was a special week for the students of Delta State as they were treated to a literary festival tagged, Delta Schools Literary Arts Festival (DESLAF 2016) in Asaba, the state capital.
Organised by Asaba-based Great Faith Communications, in collaboration with Minna-based Zinnia Communications, the competitive event drew participants from secondary schools in the state.
The event, which is the maiden edition of the annual festival, took place from Monday 16th to Friday 20th at Chaminade Hall, St. Patrick’s College, under the theme; A Polluted Environment.
The festival featured drama presentation, songs, painting, cultural display and quiz.
The event was kick-started with a grand opening ceremony which had in attendance people from all walks of life, including top government officials, Nollywood actors and actresses.
In her speech at the ceremony, the convener and the Chief Executive Officer of Great Faith Communications, Mrs. Ejoh Faith, explained the aims and objectives of the annual literary and intellectual funfair.
According to her, it was aimed at “offering uncommon opportunities for the post primary school students to showcase their talent and creativity”.
She said the event was also targeted at sharpening the students’ skills “for easier comprehension and engender healthy competition for their educational and moral development”.
The aims, she added, were in line with the aspiration of the two organizing communication outfits set up to promote, among other things, education, peace and unity through literary and creative activities.
Also speaking at the ceremony, the Special Guest of Honour, Hon. Henry Oloko, who is a Senior Special Assistant to the Delta State Governor on Intelligence Gathering, assured the organizers of government support for the annual festival.
After the ceremony, the competition began with drama presentation by the participating schools. The dramas were based on the themes; ‘The Evil of Corruption in the Society’ and ‘The Evil of Militancy and Vandalism in Our Society’.
The activities of the subsequent days, which were coordinated by the Chief Executive Officer of Zinnia Communications, Banma Baba Sulaiman, included song presentation on the importance of peace and unity to the future of the Nigerian child. The painting competition was based on the theme of the festival; ‘A Polluted Environment’.
The last day of the event, Friday, featured quiz, with the questions based on recommended texts in drama, prose, poetry and current affairs. It also featured cultural display and the closing ceremony, which was attended by the Commissioner of Basic Education, Delta State, Commissioner of Police Delta State, Chairman of Actors Guild of Nigeria, Delta State branch, among others.
Highlights of the closing ceremony were the presentation of prizes to the winning schools. Five secondary schools made it to the finals, and the Best Overall was won by West End Mixed Secondary School, Asaba. They also came first in quiz, as well as second and third in painting.
Trophies, medals, certificates, books and cash prizes were given to the winners. Certificates and medals were also presented to some participants, the judges and the teachers who coordinated their respective students.
