— ‘Start now if you care,’ teenager says

By John Alechenu

ABUJA — Sixteen-year-old Nadia Zakaria, daughter of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has built and handed over a new orphanage home in Etahi Community, Okene Local Government Area of Kogi State.

The Oyiza-Salem Divine Orphanage Home was commissioned on Saturday after it was built and fully furnished, with members of the community, religious leaders and children turning out in large numbers for the ceremony.

Nadia, who is 16, said the idea for the project began when she was 15, adding that she was motivated by a desire to support children who lacked opportunities available to others.

In a statement released in Abuja on Sunday by Senator Natasha’s media aide, Sam Idoko, Nadia said, “My name is Nadia Zakaria, I’m 16 years old, and today is a very emotional day for me.

“About a year ago, this was just an idea. I wanted to do something for children who, through no fault of theirs, don’t get the opportunities many of us take for granted.”

She said growing up in a supportive home made her reflect on the needs of other children.

“Don’t they deserve to feel safe, loved and cared for too?” she asked.

According to her, raising funds for the project was challenging, as she had to rely on family members, friends and members of the wider community for support.

She said, “At 15, I had never done anything like this. But I decided to try. With help from family, friends and even strangers, we raised enough to build the house and furnish every room.”

Nadia encouraged other young people with ideas for making a difference to act on them, saying age and financial capacity should not be barriers to helping others.

“You don’t have to be older, richer or more powerful to make a difference. You just have to care enough to start,” she said.

Addressing the children who are the direct beneficiaries of the project, she said: “I hope you know you are loved. You matter and your dreams matter. May this be a place where you feel safe, where you laugh and where you grow.”

‘She did it without my money’ — Senator Natasha

Senator Natasha told the gathering that she did not finance the project, saying her daughter raised the money herself.

“My daughter raised the money for this building herself. I did not contribute one kobo,” she said.

She added that Nadia was already planning another project — a care home for pregnant women in Kogi Central.

According to the senator, the orphanage demonstrated what young people could achieve when motivated by compassion.

The founder of the orphanage, Pastor Kisito Adomu Zuberu, fought back tears while recounting the condition of the children before the project was completed.

He said, “When they came last year, the children were sleeping on the ground. Today Miss Nadia has given us a fully equipped mansion.”

Zuberu said the home had continued to train and support the children despite limited resources.

“Two are in university now. One is at the School of Nursing in Obangede. Another graduated from the University of Abuja. One is at Kwara State University and one is waiting for NYSC. Eight are in primary school. Two are learning trades — one tailoring, the other another skill,” he said.

In their goodwill message, the management and children thanked Nadia and Senator Natasha for what they described as “an extraordinary act of love.”

They said the new building represented more than shelter, adding that it provided “hope, security, dignity and a home we can be proud of.”

Many participants at the event described the project as one of the most inspiring youth-led initiatives Kogi State had witnessed in recent years.