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“I love children a lot. Without children you are not a parent. For 11 years, I waited to have children; during the waiting, I knew what I went through. So, I love children and I love to see them happy.”

The foregoing words were the strong feelings that Dr. (Mrs) Doris Amaka Ochei, founder of DAO Foundation expressed to underscore her love and fondness for children as she fielded questions from journalists who came to cover the Children Christmas Carnival sponsored by her foundation and held at the Ugba Primary School field, Onicha-Olona, Aniocha North Local Government Area of Delta State.

The fun filled and well attended event that had the Chairman of Aniocha North Local Government Chairman, Hon. Emma Chinye Basim in attendance among other dignitaries treated to fashion parades contests exhibited by the male and female children, traditional dances and quiz competitions that added colour to the event.

Welcoming the audience to the Ugba Primary School venue of the Children Christmas carnival, Dr. (Mrs) Doris Ochei said: “Today, we come together to celebrate you remarkable children who brought so much light and promise into our lives. This event is not solely about gifts and entertainment, it is about creating cherished and unforgettable memories. Our aim is to fill this day with laughter, games, and warmth, ensuring that every child experiences the magic and wonders of Christmas.

Describing each of the children as unique, Dr. (Mrs) Ochei explained that the mission of DAO Foundation was to support the children, not just for the day of the carnival but throughout the year and beyond. “This year, our theme is ‘Grooming Children for Royalty’. By royalty we refer to the cultivation of values, ethics and integrity by reviving our traditional values of honesty, dignity of labour and respect for oneself and others – values that modern civilization often overshadows. The relentless pursuit of materialism has eroded our children’s trust in God and diminished their awareness of the consequences of wrong doing,” she said.

According to her, the adult world has trivialized religious and spiritual matters, thereby leading the youths astray. “DAO Foundation is committed to reversing this trend by engaging our young ones through programmes like this. We hope that in the future they will look back on accomplishments but exceeding the expectations of their generation,” Dr. (Mrs) Ochei said.

Her husband and Patron of DAO Foundation, Major general Raymond Ochei, GSS psc, Ph.D expressed gratitude to the audience for honouring the Foundation’s invitation, pointing out that their gesture will never be taken for granted. “As we all know, Christmas is a period of love, a time of widespread excitement, a season of giving and a moment to cherish our loved ones. It is also a time to reconnect and an occasion for joy, reflection and togetherness, To create memories that will last a lifetime, we must align with all these positives of an amazing period like Christmas. This carnival is in the spirit of Christmas and essentially about the love in our hearts, our common humanity and the joy of sharing. So as we gather in the spirit of this season, let us remind ourselves of the need to reach out to as many as we can to share love, peace, unity, forgiveness and happiness,” Maj. General Ochei said.

He commended his wife, Dr. Doris Amaka Ochei for celebrating again in grand style with the children, saying: “My wife has continued to demonstrate all these to the less privileged children and women in society. I commend her for her hard work, steadfastness and commitment to improving the welfare of the less privileged. She founded the DAO Foundation out of her compassion for humanity, to reach out to those who are genuinely in need. She is a humanitarian and philanthropist per excellence.”

Representative of the children of DAO Foundation, Daniela Ochei, said the day was a day of joy, laughter, and purpose with a common purpose of coming together to celebrate the festive season and embrace the beautiful theme this year’s event, “Grooming our children for royalty.

Daniela Ochei said: “This theme remind us that every child is unique, valuable and filled with amazing potentials just like kings and queens. Just imagine a world where every child realises their potential to shine like royalty – not in crowns and jewels alone, but in values, character and purpose; we are being groomed to lead, serve and make positive impact in our communities and beyond. Today, we begin that journey together and I am excited to share it with you.”

Also commending DAO Foundation for making the day great for the children, President General of Onicha-Olona Development Union, Sir Patrick Ejido said many children went home with gift items, adding that the theme of the event, “Grooming our children for royalty” is to make the children begin to think about how to make themselves persons of substance.

Sir Ejido noted that DAO Foundation has been in the forefront of rebuilding the Onicha-Olona market, constructed ultra modern classroom blocks at secondary school at Ezemu, empowering market women  and supporting health care centres, as well as building homes for the less privileged, among others.