Holy Child College, Obalende, South West Ikoyi, Lagos, one of Nigeria's prominent secondary schools for girls, held her annual International Community Day recently with so much of amazing excitement.

The event has become an important aspect of the college calendar, attracting prominent persons, members of the diplomatic corps, UN officials, academics, top government functionaries, private sector chieftains, educationists, parents, teachers and students.

The main objective of holding the International Day according to the college is "for students to learn about other nationalities and countries by researching the different cultures and hopefully having contact with some citizens of these countries living n Lagos."

This year, the focus was on United Nations (UN) countries, with the following nations represented - Botswana, Brazil, Egypt, Ethiopia, Israel, Jamaica, Japan, Liberia, Switzerland, USA and Nigeria.

The school is a member of an international organsiation and in view of this, students see themselves "not only as members of Holy Child College, Lagos, but also as one of a worldwide community."

In keeping with the philosophy of the society of the Holy Child Jesus that founded the school in 1945 at the invitation of Late Archbishop Leo Taylor who wanted a good secondary education for girls in his archdiocese, students of the institution are taught to "think globally and locally," through activities such as the international community day.

After the welcome address by the Administrator, Rev. Sis. Sophia Onuora, followed by an opening speech by the chairman, Prof. Frank Okoisor, former WHO Consultant on Oral Health for Africa, and then a brief lecture by Mr. Nosa Osazuwa, National Information Officer, United Nations Information Centre, Lagos, there was a march past/parade of the countries represented.

Flags of the various countries were carried by the students of different classes during the parade.

Botswana - SS3; Brazil - JSS3; Egypt - JSS2; Ethiopia - SSI; Israel - JSS3; Jamaica - SSI; Japan - SS2; Liberia - SS3; Switzerland - SS2; USA - JS2; and Nigeria - JS1.

Taking off from the starting points each of the nations represented by the students marched to the centre facing the high table where guests and diplomats were seating and stopped in a formation for the national anthem/song being rendered.

After the anthem, two students took turn to tell the audience about the location of the country, topography/geographical features and climates. Industry, commerce, trade, agriculture and main sources of income for the country.

History, political, social and economic achievements, religions and religious beliefs, attitudes, culture, modern day influences, songs, dances. Types of food - staple foods - every day and celebration food.

Also mentioned are some of the famous people of a country - actors, singers, writers, scientists, musicians, etc.

Nigeria rounded up the parade with massive multi-cultural display and dance reflecting the trado-cultural and linguistic diversity of the nation. Eyo Masquerade led the Nigerian parade like a carnival wielding his stick as the contingent followed wearing different costumes and dancing to the African drums.

The height of the excitement was when the dancers and the Eyo, reciting incantations, stormed the high table embracing the guests. Immediately, the teachers, parents, the administrator herself and others leapt to the open field dancing hilariously.

One of the distinguished guests summed it up thus way:

"It's amazing, breathless, watching the display. This is a wonderful performance seeing the students being part of the world community."

Prof. Frank Okoisor, extolled the existence of the United Nations as an organization for peace, love, friendship and development of the world.