Daughter of the Senator representing Kogi Central Senatorial District, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, Nadia Zakaria, has built, equipped and handed over an orphanage home in Etahi Community, Okene Local Government Area of Kogi State.
The facility, which was commissioned on Sunday, was funded through donations and support mobilised by Nadia from family members, friends and members of the public.
According to a statement issued on Monday by the senator’s media aide, Mike Idoko, the project was initiated by Nadia when she was 15 and has now been handed over to the management of Oyiza-Salem Divine Orphanage Home.
The orphanage described the project as a major intervention that would provide shelter, dignity and a safer environment for vulnerable children under its care.
Speaking at the commissioning, Nadia said the project was inspired by her desire to help children who had not enjoyed the same opportunities she had growing up.
“Today is a very special and emotional day for me. About a year ago, this was simply an idea. I wanted to do something meaningful for children who, through no fault of their own, have not had some of the opportunities that many of us take for granted,” she said.
Nadia said she had been raised in a loving and supportive home and began wondering about children who had not experienced similar circumstances.
She acknowledged that raising funds for the project was initially daunting because of her age and limited experience.
“At first, raising enough money to build an orphanage seemed almost impossible. I was only 15, and I had never done anything like this before. But I decided to try,” she said.
According to her, the generosity of family members, friends and strangers eventually provided enough funds to construct and furnish the facility.
“With the incredible generosity of my family, friends and even strangers, we raised enough not only to build this home, but also to furnish every room. And today, what started as an idea has become a home,” she added.
Nadia encouraged other young Nigerians to pursue humanitarian initiatives regardless of their age or financial capacity.
She thanked everyone who contributed to the project, saying their support made the initiative possible.
Also speaking, Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan said she did not financially contribute to the project, stressing that her daughter independently raised the funds.
“My daughter, Nadia, sourced the money spent on the building by herself without me contributing one kobo to the project,” the senator said.
She disclosed that Nadia was already working on plans for another humanitarian intervention targeting pregnant women in Kogi Central.
“She is already developing a plan to build a heavily equipped care home for pregnant women in Kogi Central,” she said.
The senator commended her daughter for the initiative, describing it as an example of how young people can contribute to society through compassion and determination.
The Founder of Oyiza-Salem Divine Orphanage Home, Pastor Kisito Zuberu, recalled the difficult conditions under which the children had previously lived.
“When they came last year, the children were sleeping on the ground, but today Miss Nadia Zakari has given us a fully equipped mansion,” he said.
Zuberu added that the orphanage had continued to support the children’s education and development despite financial difficulties.
The institution said the new facility would provide more than accommodation, offering the children a safer, more dignified environment in which to live, learn and grow.