First Lady Oluremi Tinubu has urged children at the newly commissioned Nana Berry Orphanage and Children’s Home to embrace every opportunity to learn, grow, and become the best version of themselves.
Addressing the children, the First Lady said “you are special, you are loved, and you have a bright future ahead of you.
“This home is a stepping stone towards your dreams, and I encourage you to embrace every opportunity to learn, grow, and become the best version of yourselves”, she told them.
Her words came as she officially inaugurated the newly constructed and furnished orphanage, a project made possible through collaboration between the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI) and the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The facility aims to provide a safe and nurturing environment for vulnerable children.
Designed to house 118 girls and 118 boys, the orphanage features hostel blocks, a dormitory, a multipurpose hall, classrooms, and living quarters for staff.
It also aims to provide a nurturing environment for learning and holistic development, in line with SDG Goal 4: Quality Education and SDG Goal 5: Gender Equality.
While acknowledging the efforts of the orphanage’s founder, Mrs. Aishatu Kwalmi, and the caregivers, the First Lady charged them to continue their work with kindness, compassion, and discipline to ensure that every child grows into a responsible citizen.
However, she firmly rejected a request for additional land for farming, emphasizing that the orphanage should focus on innovative agricultural practices rather than land expansion.
“Mrs. Kwalmi was telling me that they needed another land for farming, and I said no. This place is big enough. Nowadays, we have something called smart gardening. You can grow in your bucket, and this is the time to introduce this to the children”, she stated.
She encouraged the orphanage to adopt smart farming techniques using buckets and used tires to grow crops like yams and potatoes.
“If you don’t know, we’re going to send people to you, and they will teach you what to do. But it’s very, very easy,” she assured them.
Reflecting on the inspiration behind the project, the First Lady recalled how she first learned about the orphanage in early 2023 through a television interview with Mrs. Kwalmi.
Deeply moved by the conditions of over 200 children living there, she mobilized immediate assistance and later spearheaded the construction of the new facility.
“This project also reflects the commitment of His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, to the well-being and development of all children, irrespective of their background,” she said.
She expressed gratitude to Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule, for donating the land and ensuring the swift provision of a Certificate of Occupancy.
She also commended Hon. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, the Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs, for overseeing the project’s execution.
The First Lady also highlighted the broader vision of the administration to ensure decent housing for vulnerable children across Nigeria.
She thanked the Nasarawa State Government for pledging continued support, noting that while many orphanages exist, not all have such facilities.
“So we’ve started with this one, and it’s the responsibility of the government to do that. Mr. President is very keen on this,” she stated.
With the commissioning of the Nana Berry Orphanage and Children’s Home, the First Lady reaffirmed the government’s commitment to providing a brighter future for every Nigerian child, ensuring that they are nurtured in love and given the tools to succeed.
Meanwhile, the Nasarawa State Government has pledged continued support for the newly commissioned orphanage and children’s home, vowing to sustain its mission of providing care for vulnerable children.
Speaking at the commissioning, Governor Abdullahi Sule, who was represented by his deputy, Dr. Emmanuel Akabe, assured that the state would partner with the orphanage’s founder, Mrs. Aishatu Kwalmi, to maintain its standard and purpose.
“We would not leave this facility alone. As a state, we will partner with Mrs. Aishatu Kwalmi to maintain the standard and purpose of the home,” Akabe stated.
He noted that the state contributed to the project by providing 4,000 square meters of land, emphasizing that the initiative aligns with the government’s commitment to supporting the less privileged.
“The hope of these children is being renewed. This project has given a different face to the office of the First Lady,” he added, commending the First Lady for her leadership in championing the welfare of vulnerable children.”
