New Nyanya community in Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State was agog over the weekend as Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu commissioned a 236-bed facility constructed at new Nana Berry Orphanage and Children’s Home by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals, OSSAP-SDGs.
The new state of the art facility include 118 girls and 118 boys in two hostel blocks, a dormitory, a multipurpose hall, twin blocks of six classrooms, a matron’s office, staff quarters, a sick bay with provision for water and electricity supply.
Speaking at the event, the First Lady noted that the project aligns with President Tinubu’s vision, which recognises children as essential pillars of national development.
She added that the intervention is another reaffirmation of President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to the well-being and development of all children, regardless of their background.
“This inauguration is a testament to the power of collaboration and our commitment to the well-being of the most vulnerable children in society,” Sen. Tinubu said while recalling how she first learnt about the plight of Nana Berry Orphanage and Children’s Home through an interview its founder, Mrs Aishatu Kwalmi, gave on NTA in early 2023.
“At the time, we were still in the early stages of registering the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI). But I immediately directed some of my team members to visit the orphanage and assess the situation. Their report revealed the difficult conditions in which over 200 children were living, and as a mother, I knew I had to act.
“After all, the very reason we established the Renewed Hope Initiative was to improve the lives of families across Nigeria,” the First Lady said while recalling that her first intervention was to provide essential food items and supplies to meet the immediate needs of the children
“Later, in December 2023, we invited about 70 children from the home to our first State House Christmas Party. That experience inspired us to invite children from orphanages across the Federal Capital Territory to our 2024 Christmas Party,” the First Lady added.
She revealed that the intervention by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (OSSAP-SDGs) was borne out of the realization that a more sustainable intervention was necessary to provide the children of the Home with a safe, comfortable, and nurturing environment.
She gladly announced that this has been achieved with the delivery of the hostel block and other facilities by OSSAP-SDGs.
“Today, it gladdens my heart to see that vision fulfilled, Sen. Tinubu said while urging the caregivers at the home to continue providing the children with love, care, and guidance.
The First Lady also commended the Nasarawa State Government for donating the land and ensuring that the Certificate of Occupancy was provided and OSSAP-SDGs for delivering the project.
“This project also reflects the commitment of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to the well-being and development of all children irrespective of their background, as an essential pillar of development, in line with the Renewed Hope Agenda.
“This also aligns with SDG 1 to End Poverty in all its forms everywhere by ensuring appropriate social protection systems and measures for all; and SDG 11 which ensures access to adequate, safe and affordable housing for all.
“I thank the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals, Her Excellency, Hon. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, OFR, and her team for constructing and furnishing this home. I say well done and good job!”
Speaking at the event, the Governor of Nasarawa State, Engr. Abdullahi A. Sule, commended the First lady and her Renewed Hope Initiative for their dedication to the welfare of vulnerable people.
The Governor who was represented by his Deputy, Dr Emmanuel-Agbadu Akabe, assured that his administration will continue to support the orphanage.
“We are committed to this laudable initiative, which is why we provided the land free of charge for this beautiful edifice.
“We will continue to collaborate to maintain the orphanage’s standards and principles while offering further support,” he said.
In her speech at the event, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire said the intervention was in line with President Tinubu’s unwavering commitment to delivering on the Renewed Hope Agenda, particularly for vulnerable children.
The SSAP-SDGs who was represented by Dr Ifeyinwa Ukaegbu, Head of the Conditional Grant Scheme (OSSAP-SDGs), added that the project was also in support of the vision and laudable initiative of First Lady who, as she noted, God has blessed with a heart of gold and the milk of kindness in providing for the less privileged, the needy, as well as the orphaned and vulnerable in our society.
“This project is not merely about bricks and mortar; it is a testament to the unwavering commitment of the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, to delivering on the Renewed Hope Agenda and ensuring that no one is left behind, especially our vulnerable children,” she said.
The presidential adviser added that the facility was equipped with necessary tools to create an empowering environment for learning and holistic development for the children in the Home in alignment with SDG Goal 4: Quality Education.
“This Orphanage Home will offer these children access to inclusive and equitable learning opportunities, equipping them with the knowledge and skills to thrive and contribute meaningfully to society,” said the Special Adviser.
Princess Orelope-Adefulire said the project also addresses cross-cutting goals, including SDG Goal5: Gender Equality, by ensuring proper nutrition and conducive learning atmosphere for both boys and girls.
“This initiative is part of our broader strategy in the Decade of Action to accelerate the implementation of the SDGs in Nigeria. We are proud to say that this project adds to the growing list of pro-poor and pro-development interventions executed by OSSAP-SDGs, such as: The Mother and Child Hospitals in various states, Skill acquisition and vocational training centres, Smart schools, Integrated health centres, and Solar-powered boreholes in rural communities etc.
“These initiatives are strategically designed to uplift the most vulnerable and marginalized communities, ensuring sustainable development and social inclusion,” the Presidential Adviser said.
She also expressed her appreciation to the First Lady, who as she noted, has unwavering support and compassion for the vulnerable and marginalized, inspired the project and President Tinubu whose steadfast support and visionary leadership made the project and other interventions of the Office possible.
“In keeping faith with the vision of Mr. President, it is our firm belief that hope is renewed when poverty, illiteracy, and inequalities are eradicated. That is the essence of this home, and that is the transformative vision that drives the Renewed Hope Agenda.”