The National Gallery of Art (NGA) Benin City, on Tuesday, 2nd of June, 2026, in their determination to keep the dream alive at all odds, organized an art program to mark the annual National Children’s Day, 2026, and to foster the development of art and creativity in the lives of children.
The theme of the program was “The Power of Imagination: creativity in the eyes of a Nigerian child.”
The participating schools present at the occasion included Phelim High School, Pioneer Education Center, Jatto Memorial Christian College, Osa Osula Secondary School, and others.
Speaking during his speech as chairman of the occasion, Mr. Francis Umendu Odupute of The Nigerian Observer Newspapers and founder of the Francodus Art Foundation (FAF), charged parents to be observant of their children keen interests, pointing out that ” a child’s interest is their natural future.”
Mr. Odupute later prayed and declared the children’s art exhibition open, and various participating students whose artworks were on the exhibition took turns to explain what their creations were all about to other participants and views present at the occasion.
According to the organizers, NGA Benin City, some of the winners who emerged from the participating schools in Benin City included:
Painting category, Secondary School:
First position,
Igberais Victorious
(Pioneer Education Center);
Painting category, Primary School:
Ist position
Ebewole Divine
(Phelim High School)
Second position in Painting category,
Primary School:
Amos
(Phelim High School)
Painting:
Primary school:
3rd position
Joy Eko
(Phelim High School)
Graphics:
1st position:
Secondary School
Okonkwo Favor
(Phelim high school);
Second position:
Secondary School
Odigie Osarumense Davina (Phelim High School);
Fashion Design category:
Secondary School:
Rich Eromosele Confidence
(Osa-Osula Secondary School)
“Power of Imagination: Creativity in the Eyes of Nigerian Children.”
(Being a lecture delivered by Francis Umendu Odupute, Arts Editor, The Nigerian Observer Newspapers, and Chairman, Francodus Art Foundation (FAF) at the National Gallery of Art(NGA) Children’s Day Celebration 2026, in Benin City, on Tuesday, 2nd June, 2026.)
Protocols:
The Director-General and management of the National Gallery of Art (NGA), the Curator, NGA Benin, Mrs. Joy Ogben, distinguished guests, parents, teachers, caregivers, fellow artists, ladies and gentlemen, and most importantly, our wonderful children of talent;
Good morning, and Happy Children’s Day to every child here today.
I am deeply honored to serve as the Chairman of this important event. I commend the National Gallery of Art (NGA), for creating this platform where the voices, dreams, and creativity of Nigerian children can be celebrated.
Today, we gather around a powerful theme: “Power of Imagination: Creativity in the Eyes of Nigerian Children.”
I will start by ‘warning’ parents and caregivers here to please beware – a child’s interest is their natural future! I will explain this ‘warning’ shortly with a personal testimony…
Imagination is one of the greatest gifts God has given humanity. Before every invention, there was an idea. Before every masterpiece, there was a vision. Before every breakthrough, there was a dream.
The airplanes we fly, the phones we use, the bridges we cross, the cars we drive, the medicines that save lives, the chairs we sit on, the shoes we wear, the bags we carry, (just name it!) are all works of art; and these works of art that inspire us and support our existence on earth all began in someone’s imagination.
Every child seated here today possesses that same divine gift. If you’re observant enough, you will discover it early in their lives through the things that interest them the most.
Children, I want you to understand something very important: your imagination matters. What you imagine in your mind can change our world tomorrow for the better. When you draw a picture, draw a cartoon, paint a landscape, write a story, compose a song, a poem or spoken word, design a craft, or think of a new solution to a problem around you, you are exercising a power that can change your own future and even transform our society.
Many great Nigerians started as children with dreams and imagination. Some became artists like me, engineers, architects, writers, doctors, scientists, entrepreneurs, journalists, and leaders because they dared to believe in their ideas.
Do not allow anyone to tell you that your talent is too small or your dream is impossible. The future belongs to those who can imagine it before others can see it.
However, imagination alone is not enough. A gift must be developed. Talent must be nurtured. Creativity must be practiced. Are you listening to me?
Children must learn to ask questions, explore new ideas, read widely, observe carefully, and think critically. The world today rewards people who can solve problems, create solutions, and think differently. I encourage every child here today to make creativity a daily habit. Draw more. Read more. Learn more. Practice more. Create more.
Do not be afraid of mistakes. A mistake is only something you make when you’re attempting to do something right and something goes amiss! Every great artist has made mistakes. I have made plenty of mistakes. Every successful person has experienced failure; but failure is not final, and that you failed doesn’t mean you are a failure. What matters is the courage to keep learning and improving on yourself and on what you do.
To the parents and caregivers present here today, permit me to speak directly to you.
Many talented children never reach their full potential, not because they lack ability, but because they lack support. Some children discover their artistic talents early in life, yet their gifts are ignored, discouraged, or dismissed as distractions. I was almost a victim of this by some close relatives when I was a teenager, but thank God for my secondary school Art teacher then, Mr. Peter Eboigbe of blessed memory, who came to our house to educate my illiterate father, Ogbennia Umendu Odupute, and encouraged him to buy me art materials instead of stopping me from drawing. My father commissioned my art teacher, who then went to the market and bought me my first drawing board and several art materials. And that was a turning point in my life and academics as a youth.
Today, over 55 years later, I have many testimonies to give as an artist. I have been recognized internationally as a multiple international award-winning journalist because of Art. On 4th December, 2009, I won the Global Media Award for Excellence in Population Reporting (Editorial Cartoon category) from the Population Institute, Washington, D.C., USA; I won the WASH Media Awards 2012 (Cartoon/photo category) in Stockholm, Sweden, on 31 August, 2012; (Visit: http://saharareporters.com/
I was the winner, Development Journalism Media Awards (print category), courtesy of the Osaigbovo Ogbemudia Foundation, Benin City, Edo State, on 30th December, 2015); awardee, Environment Media awards, courtesy of the Lagos State Government and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), in Lagos State, Nigeria on 21st November, 2012; finalist in the 2012 national art competition, in Lagos state, in July, 2012) with an interactive media art work on consequences of water pollution and gas flaring on the population/environment.
On 31st January, 2019, I was invited by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) to feature my CartoonAFRICA SDG Cartoon campaign at the 2019 UN SDG Global Festival of Action which held in Bonn (Germany) from May 2 to May 4, 2019, and after exhibiting at the UN SDG global festival in Bonn, I was approached by Bonnections,an NGO in Bonn (Germany) for collaboration to take the CartoonAFRICA cartoons from the global festival to some local events in Bonn, to broaden audience engagement on human rights, migration, children/youth empowerment, gender issues, etc. in the context of securing Africa of the future; I can go on and on testifying to what Art has made me become in life. I have no regrets whatsoever following my childhood interest and hobby: drawing and cartooning!
Parents, what is your child’s interest? Believe me that may be their God-ordained natural future. Don’t truncate God’s plan for your child’s life, instead supported them to grow in their chosen path.
A child who loves drawing may become a renowned visual artist. A child who enjoys storytelling may become a celebrated author. A child fascinated by design may become an architect or innovator. A child who loves music may one day inspire millions. Parents must become the first supporters of their children’s dreams. Listen to them. Encourage them. Provide opportunities for them to learn and grow. Celebrate their efforts, not only their achievements. I do this for my own children. I let them be their natural selves under heaven’s influence. A word of encouragement from a parent can ignite confidence that lasts a lifetime.
To our teachers and schools, your role is equally critical. Education is not merely about examinations and grades. True education develops the whole child. Our classrooms should encourage curiosity, creativity, innovation, and critical thinking. Schools should create environments where artistic talents are discovered and nurtured through art clubs, exhibitions, competitions, creative projects, and mentorship opportunities. Unfortunately, our schools are shrinking the space for creative and cultural arts today with the erroneous excuse that art is not lucrative. Who said so? And by the way, money should not be our motivations for deploying our imaginative powers. Service to humanity should be our first incentive!
The world is rapidly changing, and Nigeria must prepare children not only to consume knowledge but also to create knowledge and generate solutions.
Art is not a luxury. Creativity is not a waste of time. They are essential tools for national development. This is the more reason that the National Gallery of Art (NGA) must urgently scale up the Saturday Art Club for children in Edo State to meet regularly and explore their creative prowess and imaginations through drawing, illustration, cartooning, painting and other ways to artistically express themselves, tell their own stories and communicate with the world around them.
The NGA should think out of the box and involve key stakeholders, organizations, creative interest groups and artists in mutually beneficial collaborations to achieve this all-important purpose.
The creative economy is one of the fastest-growing sectors globally. Nigerian artists, filmmakers, designers, animators, writers, and content creators are making remarkable impacts across the world. The next generation of creative leaders may very well be among the children gathered here today.
Therefore, let us commit ourselves to building a society where children’s creativity is valued, supported, and protected. Let us provide resources, mentorship, safe spaces, and opportunities that enable young talents to flourish. Let us teach our children that their ideas matter. Let us help them believe that their imagination has power.
And to every child here today, I leave you with this message:
You’re a bundle of talent. Your strong interest in art is divine, it points to your purpose and assignment in life; so:
Dream boldly. Think creatively. Work diligently. Believe in yourself. Use your gifts to serve humanity and glorify God. Your imagination is a seed. If you nurture it with learning, discipline, hard work, and faith, it can grow into something extraordinary.
The artist of tomorrow is here today. The innovator of tomorrow is here today. The leader of tomorrow is here today. The future of Nigeria is sitting before us.
May your creativity continue to shine brightly. May your talents blossom. May your dreams become reality.
Happy Children’s Day, and thank you all for listening.
God bless the children of Nigeria.
Thank you.
