In a remarkable display of entrepreneurial spirit and philanthropy, 16-year-old Nadia Zakaria has built and furnished a modern orphanage complex in Okene, Kogi State. The project, which was funded through crowdfunding, donations, and family and friends, was handed over to the Oyiza-Salem Divine Orphanage Home in Etahi Community, Okene Local Government Area of Kogi State.
A Teenage Philanthropist's Dream
Nadia Zakaria, daughter of Kogi Central Senator Natasha Hadiza Akpoti-Uduaghan, has been working on the project since she was 15. According to details shared about the initiative, she wanted to give vulnerable children the same sense of safety, stability and opportunity she enjoyed growing up. The project began as an idea when Nadia was just 15, and she reportedly raised the funds independently through public crowdfunding, donations from family and friends, and other supporters, with no financial contribution from her mother.
A Safe Haven for Vulnerable Children
The newly completed facility replaces the orphanage's ageing accommodation with fully equipped living quarters, beds and modern amenities, giving the children a safer and more dignified place to live. Pastor Kisito Adomu Zuberu, founder of Oyiza-Salem Divine Orphanage Home, said the intervention has transformed the children's lives. Before the new building, he said, severe resource shortages meant many of them slept on the floor despite the home's commitment to caring for vulnerable children.
A Foundation for Education and Stability
The orphanage, which was founded in 2016, has continued to prioritise education even with limited resources. Over the years, it has produced graduates and supported children in entering higher institutions, including the University of Abuja and the School of Nursing in Obangede, while also providing shelter and welfare for orphans and abandoned children in Kogi State. For Nadia, the orphanage is only the beginning, and she is already planning her next humanitarian project: a fully equipped care home for pregnant women in Kogi Central, aimed at improving maternal care for vulnerable women in the region.
A Lasting Impact
At a time when many teenagers are still discovering their passions, Nadia's project stands out as an uncommon example of youth-led philanthropy with lasting community impact. Rather than simply donating supplies, she has helped create a permanent home that offers vulnerable children not just shelter but a stronger foundation for education, stability and a better future. Nadia's dedication to creating positive change in her community is a testament to the power of young people to drive meaningful social impact.
Source: Pulse.ng
