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 and by extension, their parents. Toyota distributors and dealers alike have keyed into this global initiative because of its acceptance and impact on children’s psyche and sense of achievement.
In Nigeria, the 15th Dream Car Art Contest was held on the 11th of February 2022 in Abuja and Port-Harcourt respectively, and in Lagos on the 18th of February 2022. At the participating schools in all the zones, children expressed their concepts about the future of mobility by drawing their dream cars. The contest comprises age categories as follow:
- 7 years and under
- 8-11 years
- 12-15 years
In Abuja, 220 children participated, 222 participated in Port-Harcourt and 308 participated in Lagos. Three (3) winners emerged from each category in Port-Harcourt, Abuja and Lagos centres respectively, making a total of twenty-seven (27) winners from the three zones. Following a rigorous assessment of all the 27 shortlisted drawings from the three zones, three finalists from each age category emerged as national winners. two of the winners emerged from Port-Harcourt, and seven from Lagos. All the winning entries were judged based on the originality, creativity (the big idea behind the drawing), environmental friendliness, safety and futuristic concept in their drawings.
To celebrate and reward the budding artists, all nine (9) winners were invited to an award ceremony for the presentation of prizes and certificates at Toyota (Nigeria) Limited Corporate headquarters, Lekki on the 19th of March 2022.
Mr Bunmi Onafowokan, G.M Corporate Services representing the Managing Director, Mr Kunle Ade-Ojo at the occasion, welcomed everyone to the event which was held under strict observance of all Covid-19 protocols. He congratulated the winners and encouraged them to continue to showcase their God-given talent and excel at what they do.
Some of the other management staff present at the occasion include the Marketing Manager, Mr Bayo Olawoyin and Mrs Bukunola Ogunnusi, PR Manager who reiterated that Toyota Motor Corporation Japan, as an organization has gone beyond just automobile to mobility. She urged the budding artists and other children planning to participate in the next contest to among other ideas take a cue from the concept of mobility.
At the event, each winner presented his/her drawing; explaining the concept behind their drawings typified by the guidelines of originality, creativity, environmental friendliness, safety, and future relevance. They also urged Toyota to manufacture their dream car in the future.
A winner in the age 8-11 years category Miss Lilian Darwish on behalf of all winners, expressed her gratitude to Toyota (Nigeria) Limited for the opportunity given to them to exhibit their talents while Mrs Achinivu, one of the parents’ expressed gratitude to the management of Toyota (Nigeria) Limited for giving the children the opportunity to exhibit their creativity.
The winners’, siblings, parents, art teachers, and well-wishers were entertained, and each winner went home with a laptop, other corporate gifts and most importantly, their certificate.