By Safia Abdulrahman
The Queen’s Care Empowerment Foundation (QCEF) has taken its Making, Art, Discovery and Expression (MADE) programme to the Abuja Children’s Home, Karu, exposing children to creative and innovative opportunities for development.
Dr Ruqayya Ahmed, Acting Executive Director of QCEF, during the event on Monday in Karu, Abuja, said that the initiative aimed to give children opportunities to explore creative abilities and discover future career interests.
She said the programme was inspired by her desire to provide children with access to artistic and technological opportunities capable of broadening their outlook and exposing them to careers.
Ahmed said the foundation had secured a partnership with the Society of Nigerian Artists, while discussions were ongoing with other organisations and stakeholders interested in supporting the initiative nationwide.
The President of the Society of Nigerian Artists, Mohammed Suleiman, described the event as a community service initiative and an opportunity for artists to give back meaningfully.
“I believe every Nigerian should embrace art as therapy and as a tool for Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) debriefing,” he said.
He expressed delight at the children’s genuine smiles and positive emotional responses, recommending that similar programmes be organised regularly to sustain benefits and strengthen community development efforts.
Speaking on art’s impact on children, artist, painter and art coach, Eko Ebenezer, said early exposure to art could strengthen creativity and improve information-processing abilities significantly.
Ebenezer said art provided children opportunities to explore, make mistakes, develop ideas and view life from different perspectives, thereby enhancing personal growth and critical thinking abilities.
“This is not the end. There’s a big, brighter future ahead of them,” he said, encouraging the children to remain open to learning opportunities and creative exploration.
Also speaking, Omini Emmanuel, Team Lead, Abuja Children’s Home, Karu, representing the Administrator, Mr Queency Patrick, appreciated QCEF for selecting the facility for the outreach programme.
He said the activities were educational and could enhance the children’s creativity and mental development while encouraging them to think beyond their immediate environment and circumstances.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the programme seeks to provide children opportunities to explore art, technology and other creative skills, helping them discover interests, talents and potential career paths for futures.(NAN)
Edited by Abiemwense Moru
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