Toyota Dream Car Art Contest is a CSR initiative of Toyota Motor Corporation Japan to develop the innate artistic talent in children and to cultivate an enduring relationship with them. Toyota distributors and dealers alike globally have keyed into this initiative because of its acceptance and impact on children’s psyche the world over.
The 12th Dream Car Art Contest was held in Nigeria on the 10th of February 2018 in Abuja and Port-Harcourt respectively, and in Lagos on the 17th of February 2018. Accreditation started at 8:00am to 9:30am and the contest commenced at 10:00am. Children came from different schools and states to share their concepts about the future of vehicular mobility by drawing their dream cars in the contest. The contest comprises of age categories which are: Under 8 years old, 8-11 years old and 12-15 years old.
In Abuja, 318 children participated, 325 participated in Port-Harcourt and 520 participated in Lagos. Three (3) winners emerged from each category in Port-Harcourt, Abuja and Lagos centers respectively; making a total of twenty-seven (27) winners from the three zones. Three national finalists from each category making nine (9) winners in all emerged after the rigorous assessment of entries from the three drawing centers.
A statement made available to transport Day, and signed by Public Relations Manager, Bukunola Ogunnusi, stated that all the winning entries were judged based on the originality, creativity, environmental friendliness, safety and futuristic concept in their drawings.
The Nine (9) winners were invited to the award of prize and certificate ceremony at Toyota (Nigeria) Limited corporate headquarters, Lekki on the 17th of March 2018.
Among the nine winners, two were from Port-Harcourt, one from Abuja, one from Jos and five from Lagos. The winners’ parents, teachers and well-wishers were entertained and winners went home with Laptops, other corporate gifts and most importantly, winner’s certificate.
In attendance were the Head of Marketing Department, Mr. Andrew Ajuyah; Public Relations Manager, Mrs. Bukunola Ogunnusi; Chief Security Officer, Mr Aliu Umar; Managing Director of Black Sea, Mr Stanley Salami and the Managing Director of Freddie Scott Associates. Mr Kayode Adeleye.
In a chat after the ceremony, the Managing Director of Toyota (Nigeria) Limited expressed his resolve to continue to support this laudable CSR initiative.
He said “Toyota (Nigeria) Limited believes in tapping into the minds of children towards helping them realize their God-given talent and express it positively. He added that the platform will help build the confidence of these budding artists and future leaders in the creative world.
According to him, “we have been doing this for about seven years now and we will continue to organize the contest annually as long as it remains relevant to our CSR objectives”.
He encouraged all to begin to practice from now till the contest comes up in 2019 in order to increase their chances of winning in the keenly contested event.
Each winner presented his/her drawing; explaining the concept of their drawings typified the guidelines of originality, creativity, environmental friendliness, safety and future relevance.
One of the winners, Tosin Shike Deborah Ogundeji gave vote of thanks on behalf of the entire winners and expressed gratitude for the occasion and thanked Toyota (Nigeria) Limited for the opportunity given to them to prove their talents.
Also, one of the parents thanked the management of Toyota (Nigeria) Limited for giving the children the opportunity to exhibit their creativity. He opined that the event would leave an indelible and sweet memory in the minds of the children.
