By Hillary Asemota
It was excitement galore at New Nyanya in Karu Local Government Area of Nasarawa State was agog over the weekend as Nigeria’s First Lady, Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu, commissioned a 236-bed facility constructed for Nana Berry Orphanage and Children’s Home.
The laudable project was joint efforts by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals, OSSAP-SDGs in collaboration with the Renewed Hope Initiative of the first lady.
The new state-of-the-art-facility to house 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, 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.
According to her, “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. “
She said: “This inauguration is a testament to the power of collaboration and our commitment to the well-being of the most vulnerable children in society.”
She said the very reason the Renewed Hope Initiative was established was to improve the lives of families across Nigeria, recalling that her first intervention was to provide essential food items and supplies to meet the immediate needs of the children.
She however revealed that these were not enough; hence 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.
“Today, it gladdens my heart to see the vision fulfilled, Mrs. 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.
In her appreciation to OSSAP-SDGs, she said “I thank the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals, Her Excellency, Princess Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire, OFR, and her team for constructing and furnishing this home. I say well done for good job.”
Speaking at the event, the Governor of Nasarawa State, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, commended the first lady and her RHI for their dedication to the welfare of vulnerable people.
The Governor who was represented by his Deputy, Dr Emmanuel-Agbadu Akabe, assured that he will continue to support the orphanage, and collaborate to maintain the orphanage’s standards and principles while offering further support,” he said.
In her speech, 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.
According to SSAP-SDGs: “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”, she added that the initiatives are strategically designed to uplift the most vulnerable and marginalized communities, ensuring sustainable development and social inclusion.
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
