For a very good number of fun seekers during the yuletide, one of the very interesting outdoor festivals in Lagos that readily comes to mind is the FOOTPRINTS OF DAVID ARTS FESTIVAL (FODAF). FODAF, a Bariga-community based is annually organised by the globally reputed children theatre – FOOTPRINTS OF DAVID ARTS ACADEMY.
The community-wide festival commenced in the year 2005 offering arts extravaganza at its best mixed with children fun games, cooking and Ludo competitions, Ram fight competitions, rap contest, cultural displays, praise sessions and loads of exciting line-ups.
For over a decade, the FOOTPRITNS OF DAVID ARTS FESTIVAL (FODAF) held its own and mostly celebrated by a league of faithful attendees both home and abroad. The highlight of the Festival is usually centered around a theme which is majorly targeted at addressing societal ills as: Rape, Child Deprivation amongst many. Aside the fun that FODAF presents to all, it engages the mind to be better used towards productive ends. In all its edition, the enormous testimonies of FODAF has been marked with evidences of goodwill and noblest cheers.
However, the much anticipated FODAF has been postponed in the light of the recent announcement of a mutant specie of the deadly covid-19. Towards the end of the outgoing year 2020, health agencies across the world announced the second waves of the dreaded covid-19 raising fears and concerns about the health of citizens the world over.
Here in Nigeria, both state and Federal governments have announced restrictive measures to curtail the spread of the virus. One of such measures is the ‘’social distancing rule’’ which abhors large gathering of people in any specific location.
Since FODAF is the largest gathering of people at any community festival during December in Lagos, it behooves on the organisers as a matter of public decorum and good sense of decency to postpone this year’s FODAF. Hence, the need for the postponement of FODAF till the incoming year.
We wish everyone a joyous celebration this yuletide.
HAPPY NEW YEAR 2021.
Signed:
Seun Awobajo
Convener, FOOTPRINTS OF DAVID ARTS FESTIVAL (FODAF)
Bariga, Lagos.