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Art in
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ChildArt | Art for Health Abuja

The Nigeria Art Olympiad is orga-
nized by the Female Artists Associa-

tion of Nigeria.
In partnership with the Universal
Basic Education Board (UBEB), pub-
lic and private schools were invited
to participate in the Arts Olympiad.
The school entries were judged by
a panel that included professional

artists, art teachers, and UBEB staff
members. After much deliberation,
a total of ten finalists were selected.
These ten finalists were invited to the
Children Creativity Fair organized at
the Nigerian Tulip College in Abuja on
June 18–20, 2019. The ten students

were asked to produce new artworks
John Joseph
on the Arts Olympiad theme “My Fav-
Age 12, Nigeria
orite Sport” so we could select the
winner. This selection was unbiased by any day event and arranged transport for the par-
ticipating schools. Students also received
mentors or teachers that the student may
have had. gifts, such as school bags, and books
The Children Creativity Fair was the first of to encourage reading. In addition to the

its kind and many schools were invited. This award certificate given to each student, the
event began with registration and art workshops, winner, John Joseph, received a cash award
and was followed by the “Unity for Peace” as well from the UFUK Dialogue Foundation.
essay writing contest on the second day. The As a 12-year-old, John Joseph had moved
third day consisted of cultural performances, to Abuja when his hometown in the North East
poetry reading, and the award ceremony. The was attacked by the insurgents. He lives with
UFUK Dialogue Foundation, one of the spon- his brother at the IDP refugee camp and attends

sors, provided refreshments during the three- the Local Education Authority (LEA) school. He