Photo:L-R Hajiya Khadijah Mohammed Isa, Wife of Former Minister of Communications, Mrs Justina Ihenacho, Child’s Righy Advocate, Mrs Ruqayya Tofa-Basheer, Founder Ummi Africa, Dr. Maryam Tukur-Shagaya, Obstetrician and Gynaecologist, Mrs Eni Ogon, Founder, Broadoaks British School, Hajiya Hadiza Yusuf, SA, Welfare and Community Engagement, North Central Development Commission.
A new chapter in child development advocacy began in Abuja on Thursday, with the official launch of the “My Child’s Psyche Initiative (MCPI),” a foundation committed to transforming the emotional and psychological wellbeing of Nigerian children.
The Initiative aims to promote emotional intelligence, psychological resilience, and holistic growth for the nation’s young generation.
The launch featured the maiden Ultimate Caregiver Enlightenment Symposium & Book Presentation, themed “United in Care: Guiding Hearts, Growing Minds.”
The event drew parents, teachers, and caregivers determined to raise emotionally balanced and resilient children in today’s increasingly complex world.
Speaking at the event, Madam Chyna Clifford, child development advocate, children’s book illustrator, and founder of MCPI, said the Initiative was inspired by the need to understand the inner world of children, a world often filled with wonder, dreams, anxieties, and untapped potential. She noted that societal pressures frequently drown out children’s emotions, leaving questions unanswered and feelings overlooked.
According to her, this year’s symposium focused on children on the autism spectrum, providing caregivers and educators with practical strategies to better support their unique developmental and emotional needs.
Madam Clifford stressed that MCPI seeks to bridge the gap between psychology and parenting by equipping caregivers with tools, resources, and knowledge to support children’s emotional and behavioural development both at home and in school.
“Emotional intelligence must be valued as highly as academic achievement if Nigeria is to build a stable, empathetic, and progressive society,” she said.
“If we are serious about raising a generation of emotionally intelligent, morally grounded, and socially responsible leaders, we must first understand the intricacies of a child’s mind. Healing the psyche of the child is healing the future of the nation,” she added.
The launch brought together educators, mental health professionals, and caregivers for a day of learning, reflection, and practical engagement.
Dr. Adaobi Okeke, a guest speaker, delivered a session on “Learning Differences & Neurodiversity (ADHD, Dyslexia & Autism),” highlighting how parents and teachers can better support neurodivergent children both at home and in school.
She also emphasized the need to reduce stress during pregnancy as a critical factor affecting children’s neurodevelopment.
An obstetrician and gynaecologist, Dr. Maryam Tukur-Shagaya, spoke on “Postpartum Struggles and the Emotional Journey of Motherhood,” stressing the importance of supporting the mental wellbeing of new mothers, whose emotional challenges are often overlooked.
The founder of Ummi Women Empowerment Foundation (Ummi Africa), Mrs. Ruqayya Tofa-Basheer, encouraged women to prioritise self-care and work–life balance, offering practical strategies for emotional regulation in high-pressure environments.
An educationist and founder of Broadoaks British School, Mrs. Eni Ogon, highlighted the need for stronger collaboration between schools and parents to ensure children’s mental wellness is nurtured alongside academic development.
The symposium reflected MCPI’s core mission of fostering emotional resilience and holistic development at all stages of childhood.
In closing, the Initiative extended an open invitation to families, educators, and caregivers: “Come, learn, unlearn, and relearn with us – for the sake of the minds we’re nurturing and the future we’re shaping.”
With its official launch, according to the founder, MCPI has positioned itself at the forefront of national conversations on child psychology, emotional wellbeing, and the urgent need to raise a generation that is not only brilliant but also balanced, not only informed but also inspired, and not only successful but genuinely humane.