At just 16 years old, Nadia Zakaria is already making a remarkable difference in the lives of vulnerable children in Kogi State.
Nadia, the daughter of Kogi Central Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has built, furnished and officially handed over a modern orphanage complex to the Oyiza-Salem Divine Orphanage Home in Etahi Community, Okene.
The impressive project reportedly started when Nadia was only 15. Inspired by her desire to give vulnerable children the kind of security and opportunities she enjoyed growing up, the teenager set out to provide them with a better place to call home.
What makes the project even more remarkable is how Nadia reportedly raised the money. The facility was funded through crowdfunding, donations from family and friends, and contributions from other supporters.
The completed complex now provides the children with improved accommodation, beds, furniture and other essential amenities, replacing the ageing facilities they previously depended on.
Pastor Kisito Adomu Zuberu, founder of the orphanage, said the new building has brought a major transformation to the children’s lives.
According to him, the home previously faced serious financial challenges, and there were times when some of the children had no choice but to sleep on the floor.
Founded in 2016, the Oyiza-Salem Divine Orphanage Home has continued to care for orphans and abandoned children while also placing strong emphasis on education.
Despite its limited resources, the organization has helped several children pursue higher education, with beneficiaries gaining admission to institutions such as the University of Abuja and the School of Nursing in Obangede.
Nadia’s connection with the orphanage also comes against the backdrop of earlier assistance from her mother. In 2024, Senator Natasha facilitated the distribution of food and household items from the MTN Foundation to orphanages in Kogi Central, including the Oyiza-Salem Divine Orphanage Home.
However, Nadia’s latest project was reportedly funded independently, making it a personal humanitarian effort by the teenager.
And she already has her sights set on another project.
Nadia is reportedly planning to establish a fully equipped maternal care home for pregnant women in Kogi Central, with the goal of helping vulnerable expectant mothers access better care.
At an age when many teenagers are focused primarily on school, friends and social activities, Nadia is already using her resources and influence to create meaningful change.
Her orphanage project is more than just a new building. For the children who will live there, it represents safety, stability, dignity and a chance at a brighter future.#newsafro_
