CIDJAP 2025 Children’s Party and Celebration of Meggy Kantert @ 60 Report

The 2025 CIDJAP Children’s Party, held on the 29th of November at the serene Ofuobi Africa Centre, was a day filled with joy, laughter and the pure innocence that only children can bring. The atmosphere blossomed with bright colours, cheerful music and the spontaneous excitement of little ones who arrived from various works of life, each child carrying hopes, dreams and a heart ready to celebrate. But this year’s party was not just another joyful gathering; it carried a deeper, touching significance.

It became a moment of gratitude, tribute and celebration for a woman whose heart has continued to shape the destinies of children for decades, Meggy Kantert, a towering figure in CIDJAP’s Education Sponsorship Desk. Meggy, who turned 60, has secured sponsorship for over 400 indigent children in pursuit of education, dignity and a promising future. And her journey of giving is still unfolding.

To celebrate her diamond jubilee alongside the children she loves was nothing short of poetic. Surrounded by those whose lives her generosity had transformed, Meggy’s presence inspired both young and old. Many of the children who benefited from her sponsorship wore smiles that silently testified to her kindness, a kindness that had opened classroom doors, changed family stories and restored hope in homes weighed down by poverty as the beneficiaries shared in their testimonials.

The day was marked with prayers, dancing competitions and the coronation of Meggy as Oyi Umuaka (friend of the children). Dr. Ebele Odinachi the coordinator of CIDJAP sponsorship desk ensured that no child was left out. The grounds of Ofuobi Africa Centre echoed with joy, the type that warms the heart and reminds all that happiness truly multiplies when shared.

As the children gathered around the beautifully decorated party cake, another cake, Meggy’s 60th anniversary cake stood proudly beside it. The double celebration symbolized unity between the joy of childhood and the spirit of compassion embodied by Meggy. When the time came for the cake cutting, the children clapped and cheered in excitement as Msgr. Prof. Obiora Ike alongside, the celebrant and friends around joined hands with hers as she cut the cake, a gesture that spoke louder than words. It was more than a celebration; it was a living tribute to a woman who has mothered the children from afar through her sacrifices.

Tears glistened in many eyes as Meggy recounted her story in a powerpoint slide presentation: her first encounter with Msgr. Prof. Obiora Ike the Founding Director of CIDJAP, her devotion, her quiet but powerful impact and the many young lives lifted from despair to opportunity. CIDJAP education sponsorship desk coordinator Dr. Ebele Odinachi expressed heartfelt appreciation, thanking her for her relentless commitment to the mission of shaping children into confident, educated and empowered individuals and also thanked Msgr. Prof. Obiora Ike for his visionary leadership in her heartwarming opening remarks.

The celebration continued with dances, gifts, refreshments and moments that painted the day with unforgettable colour. The CIDJAP Education sponsorship coordinator worked tirelessly to ensure that every child felt loved, valued and celebrated. And indeed, they did. In the end, the 2025 CIDJAP Children’s Party was more than an annual event, it became a testimonial to the beauty of service, generosity and shared humanity.

It reminded everyone present that one person’s act of commitment and kindness can ripple across generations, rewriting countless destinies. As the sun slowly set over the Ofuobi Africa Centre, the children returned home with full stomachs, fuller hearts and memories that will live long in their minds. And for Meggy Kantert, her 60th year was crowned with the sweetest gift of all the love and gratitude of the very children whose lives she has touched so profoundly.

May her light continue to shine, and may CIDJAP keep nurturing seeds of hope in the hearts of every child who walks through its doors.