Ovie Of Umiaghwa-Abraka Kingdom, Wife Host Christmas Party For Children

As HRM Opuriuchi Ihuoma Ararile Tasks Parents On Proper Upbringing Of Children

By Daniel Dafe

The Ovie of Umiaghwa-Abraka Kingdom in Ethiope East Local Government of Delta State, HRM AVM Lucky Ochuko Ararile (rtd.) and his wife, the Oniemo of Umiaghwa-Abraka Kingdom, HRM Opuriuchi Ihuoma Ararile, on Wednesday hosted the 2024 edition of the annual Christmas party for children.

Over 1000 children from and beyond the kingdom participated in this year’s event that took place at the king’s palace.

Speaking to Oasis Magazine (OM) in an exclusive chat, the monarch’s wife disclosed that the said programme has lasted for 12 years.

Asked what the motivation was, she said: “The joy on the faces of the children motivates us to do it annually. If it takes this ltitle to make them happy, why not? We also give out prizes to those that come out first in their class.”

She continued: “Many of them thought it is just to sing and dance and so we introduced the academic prizes to help their performance in school. Actually, those days when they come, you see them dance roughly but now that has changed because they now dance decently after we tutoured them.

“It is a thing of joy to continue to do this. We have done this for 12 years and you can see the number of the children. If you come out first in class, they are to come with their result for proof and go home with a gift. The number of those taking first position at school has increased overtime.

“We gave about 20 children scholarship last year. We will do so again this year.”

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On her message to the children, she said: “Enjoy yourself, be good, life is not only about eating and drinking, go to school, read your books, respect your parents and your days will be long in the land of the living.”

Furthermore, she appreciated the king for continually sustaining the project financially.

Adding: “Without him, this programme cannot hold. He has been the driver financially, while I am the executioner. We appreciate him and on behalf of the children we appreciate him.”

Furthermore, she said that her interaction with the children shows the parents still have a lot of work to do especially in the area of social behaviour.

“These are supposed to be inculcated in the children from home. Many of them find it difficult to greet or even say thank you when given gifts. We are working on this and we urge parents to do also,” she said.