Nigeria’s First Lady, Senator Remi Tinubu has said the well-being of all children, irrespective of their background, is an essential pillar of development as captured under the Renewed Hope Agenda of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Senator Tinubu stated this while inaugurating a 336-bed space home for Nana Berry Orphanage and Children’s Home at New Nyanya in Nasarawa State.
The First Lady, in a statement by her media aide, Busola Kukoyi, noted that the initiative underscores her commitment to improving the lives of vulnerable children across the country.
“I first learned about the plight of the children of Nana Berry Orphanage and Children’s Home while watching an interview of the Founder on NTA early in 2023. As a mother, I knew I had to act,” Mrs Tinubu said.
She encouraged caregivers at the Home to continue providing love and guidance, and urged the children to embrace opportunities and dream big.
“You are special, you are loved, and you have a bright future ahead of you. This home is a stepping stone towards your dreams.
“I encourage you to learn, grow, and become the best version of yourselves. Also, learn to cultivate the habit of compassion. You are all contributors to what this Nation can become. The sky is your limit—so dream big!,” she charged the children.
Tinubu also highlighted the importance of keeping the orphanage focused on its core mission while ensuring that the children’s needs were met.
“We pray that everyone seated here, these children, they still need clothes on their backs, they need food to eat,” Mrs Tinubu said.
While commissioning the newly constructed orphanage, the First Lady proposed an innovative farming when asked by the founder, Aishatu Kwalmi, for land to establish a farm.
“I said no. This place is big enough, very big, and I want this to be public, because when interest is divided, the children might suffer,” she noted.
Remi Tinubu suggested adopting “smart farming” techniques by using buckets to plant crops, which would be space-efficient and educational for the children with a promise to send people that will teach the children these techniques.
“Nowadays, we have something called smart gardening. You can grow in your bucket. You can grow yams in buckets, you can grow potatoes in buckets,” she said.
The first lady acknowledged President Bola Tinubu’s commitment to children’s development, aligning with the Renewed Hope Agenda and Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and thanked the Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Sule for donating the land and ensuring the project’s success.
Governor Sule who was represented by his deputy, Emmanuel Akabe, reiterated his administration’s commitment to social welfare and emphasised the importance of the facility, highlighting its role in renewing the hope of the children who reside there.
“Today, we bring hope to those who have lost it. The dreams of these children are being revitalised, and as a state, we are committed to ensuring that this facility continues to thrive and serve its purpose.
The Governor reassured that the state would not abandon the facility, but instead partner with Nana Berry Orphanage Home to maintain the high standards and noble mission of the home.
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals, Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, said the Nana Berry Orphanage Home, built and furnished by her office reflects the administration’s commitment to the Renewed Hope Agenda, ensuring no one is left behind, especially the children.
Represented by Head, Conditional Grant Scheme OSSAP-SDGs, Ifeyinwa Ukaegbu, Orelope-Adefulire said the facility provides a safe environment for learning and holistic development, supporting SDG Goal 4: Quality Education and SDG Goal 5: Gender Equality.
“It is part of our broader strategy to accelerate SDGs implementation in Nigeria, complementing initiatives like Mother and Child Hospitals and skill acquisition centers,” she said.
The Facility which sits on an expanse of 4,000 square meters has a 100 bed boys hostel, 100 bed girls hostel, staff quarters, classrooms, sick bays, 2 play grounds, among others.
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