Executive Director of the Foundation for the Personal Development of African Children (PDAC), Ogo Ogbueli, has stressed the need for accessible resources, facilities, and mentorship for children in underserved communities. She noted that lack of access to these essential elements hinders a child’s ability to discover their talents, build confidence, and become responsible, productive members of society.
Ogbueli stated this during Ford Foundation team’s visit to The Transformation Centre, a flagship project of PDAC, in Lagos. The centre, supported by the Ford Foundation, provides under-served school-aged children and out-of-school children with access to essential resources, training programmes, and mentorship opportunities.
During the visit, the Ford Foundation team was given a comprehensive tour of the facility and observed children engaged in various activities. The centre’s curriculum is designed to enhance the mental, emotional, physical, and social development of its participants.
According to Ogbueli, PDAC Foundation has taken a significant step in addressing the issue of lack of mentorship to children by establishing The Transformation Centre, a knowledge hub that offers a blend of services, including a well-stocked children’s library and personal development skills training centre.
She said: “In many underserved communities across Nigeria, countless children face a critical challenge: a lack of access to essential resources, facilities, and mentorship that are crucial for their personal development. This gap is more than just an absence of books or computers; it is a systemic barrier that hinders a child’s ability to discover their talents, build confidence, and become responsible, productive members of society.
“The PDAC Foundation recognised this pressing need and set out to create a solution a space where learning is not just academic but deeply personal and transformative. The centre provides under-served school-aged children and out-of-school children aged 10+ with access to a wide array of resources, training programmes, and mentorship opportunities.”
Representatives of Ford Foundation led by the Special Assistant to the Regional Director, office of West Africa, Uloma Obike, stressed the importance of enhancing the mental, emotional, physical, and social development of children. “We are incredibly proud of what the PDAC Foundation has accomplished with The Transformation Centre. The benefits are tangible and life-changing, with children developing self-confidence, self-awareness, and a love for reading and lifelong learning.”
Also speaking, Ford foundation’s programme mannager, Ehinor Esezbor emphasised the importance of social skills and applying the lessons learned from the PDAC programme in all aspects of life. She encouraged the children to shine and make a positive impact wherever they find themselves, whether in school, church, or other settings.
