Events

Smids children’s animation festival ignites young creatives in Ikoyi

Published

1 year ago

June 5, 2025

The inaugural Smids Children’s Animation Festival at Mike Adenuga Centre brought creativity and learning to nearly 80 children, aiming to boost Nigeria’s animation industry

The inaugural **Smids Children’s Animation Festival brought a vibrant burst of colour and excitement to the Mike Adenuga Centre, Ikoyi, last Saturday.

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Nearly 80 children, aged eight to 12, gathered for a day immersed in animation, drawing, and imaginative play, marking a significant step in nurturing young Nigerian animators. The festival was a collaborative effort between the National Theatre and Smids Animation Studio.

Adetola Akerele, the General Manager and CEO of the National Theatre, extended a heartfelt welcome to the young participants. She encouraged them to embrace the learning opportunity while enjoying themselves.

“This is a really exciting opportunity for all of you because you’re learning about animation from a young age,” she said. “Focus, have fun, but be attentive and on your best behaviour. This is the beginning of your animation journey. We want you to open your minds to all the possibilities.”

Ms Akerele also highlighted the growing importance of animation within the arts and culture landscape. “Animation is an exciting and innovative expression of arts and culture.

We’re very grateful to the French Embassy, Alliance Française, and Smids for their support. We hope to do more of these activities, including one for teenagers soon.”

In an interview, Ms Akerele elaborated on the inspiration behind the event. “With Children’s Day coming up, we wanted something meaningful that would really engage the kids,” she explained.

“Animation is something children love, and it’s a great way to spark their creativity. Watching films, drawing characters, and using computers all in one day, it’s the kind of digital experience they enjoy.”

She also announced plans for a more extensive four-week summer programme, which will culminate in a production and help build essential skills like teamwork, discipline, punctuality, and learning lines.

Representing the Minister of Arts, Culture, Tourism and the Creative Economy, Hannatu Musa Musawa, the Special Adviser to the President, Moriam Ajaga, encouraged the children to believe in their creative potential.

“Your stories matter, your ideas are important, and the world is waiting to see what you will create. Many top animators started just like you with simple drawings and big dreams. Animation allows your dreams to walk, talk, and even fly.”

The Minister’s representative also outlined the government’s commitment to supporting the animation sector. “We want to grow Nigeria’s animation industry by providing tools, training, and access to opportunities. Through platforms like the Creative Leap Accelerator, animators will get funding, mentorship, and global exposure.”

Dami Solesi, CEO and Creative Director of Smids Animation Studios, expressed her excitement about the festival. “This is Toontopia, the very first children’s animation festival, and the kids are having a blast,” she enthused.

“We believe animation is a powerful tool, especially for children. Beyond cartoons, it can be used in education, empowerment, and cultural storytelling.”

Solesi particularly stressed the importance of telling authentic African stories through animation. “How do we share our language, food, and values through animation? That’s what I’m passionate about. We have so many folk tales and historical stories to pass down, and animation is a colourful and creative way to do that.”

She also noted that Smids has been running a two-week summer animation camp for eight years, with this festival building on that foundation. “We want more children to join the world of animation, to learn, explore, and tell their stories.”

During the festival, the children enjoyed watching animated films, including “Hadu” by SMIDS Studios. They also participated in engaging creative activities such as drawing, developing their own animations, and a fun sip-and-paint session, truly embodying the spirit of the Smids Children’s Animation Festival.

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Culture

Crowds Gather for Rare Sunrise at Egypt’s Abu Simbel Temple

Published

1 week ago

October 23, 2026

David Ogunjobi

Hundreds of tourists gathered at Egypt’s Abu Simbel temple to witness the twice-yearly sunrise ceremony illuminating Pharaoh Ramses II’s statue

Hundreds of tourists gathered at Egypt’s Abu Simbel temple on Thursday to witness a spectacular sunrise phenomenon in which sunlight illuminated the face of the statue of Pharaoh Ramses II, an event that occurs only twice a year.

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The ancient astronomical ceremony drew visitors from different parts of the world to the archaeological site in southern Egypt on October 22, one of two dates associated with the phenomenon.

The second occurrence takes place on February 22, when the rising sun illuminates the temple’s interior.

Egyptian tour guide Yasser Fouad described the occasion as extraordinary, saying some visitors had stayed overnight to secure the opportunity to witness the event.

“Today is an extraordinary day, everyone is keen, there are people who stayed over the night, foreigners who actually spent the night in Abu Simbel to see this phenomenon,” Fouad said.

The Great Temple of Ramses II at Abu Simbel dates back to the 13th century BC and is among Egypt’s most prominent archaeological attractions.

Built during the reign of Ramses II, one of ancient Egypt’s most powerful pharaohs, the temple is renowned for its monumental statues and sophisticated architectural design.

The twice-yearly sunrise phenomenon is a major attraction, drawing visitors eager to witness the interaction between sunlight and the temple’s ancient structure.

The dates have traditionally been associated with significant moments in Ramses II’s life.

October 22 is commonly linked to his birthday, while February 22 is associated with his accession to the throne.

However, the precise historical reasons behind the dates remain debated.

Some archaeologists have proposed alternative explanations, including that they may have marked the pharaoh’s coronation and birthday.

Abu Simbel underwent a major international rescue operation in the 1960s, when archaeologists and engineers relocated the temples to protect them from flooding caused by the construction of the Aswan High Dam.

The monumental structures were cut into large blocks and reassembled at a higher location, preserving the site for future generations.

The relocation was one of the most significant archaeological preservation projects of the 20th century.

Despite the move, the temple continues to attract visitors for its ancient Egyptian art, monumental architecture and remarkable alignment with the rising sun.

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The annual gatherings highlight the enduring appeal of Egypt’s archaeological heritage and the continuing fascination with the astronomical knowledge and engineering achievements of its ancient civilisation.