By Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye
Thirteen-year-old Kayla Kwalmi stood in awe, her voice filled with gratitude as she described her feelings about the newly inaugurated Nana Berry Orphanage and Children’s Home in New Nyanya, Nasarawa State. “This new home means everything to us—education, food, shelter, clothing, and happiness. We are grateful for all of that,” she said.
For Kayla and over 200 other children, this facility is not just a building – it is a lifeline to hope, opportunity, and a brighter future.
The home, built with the help of the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), the pet project of the First Lady of Nigeria, Oluremi Tinubu, marks a transformative chapter for the children, offering improved living conditions and opportunities. The children’s excitement was palpable as they moved into their new home.
For Patience Kwalmi, a 21-year-old Economics graduate, the Nana Berry Orphanage and Children’s Home has been more than just a place to live—it has been her home since childhood. As she reflects on the benefits of the newly inaugurated facility, her gratitude is palpable.
She said: “This home is way better than our former one. In the old place, we didn’t have a hospital within the facility, so we had to take children out on motorbikes to get medical care. The hospital bills were always a problem. Here, everything is different – we have better facilities, security, and even a school nearby.”
Patience highlighted the stark differences between the old and new facilities: “We used firewood for cooking in our old home, but here we use gas cooker. The children, including the youngest, used to trek long distances to school, but now the school is close by.
“We are happier here. On the day we moved in, we didn’t sleep until 4 am; we were just praising God and praying.”
Patience, who is waiting for her call up letter to proceed for the one-year mandatory service for her father land, plans to work for five years to support the founder of the home financially. “She has tried so much for us, sacrificed so much including her happiness for us,” she said with admiration.
To ensure the facility remains well-maintained, Patience explained that older residents have divided themselves into groups responsible for weekly chores like cooking, cleaning, and caring for younger children. “Those of us who are of age have distributed ourselves in groups. Each of the older ones in the home are in charge of the younger ones that can’t do much for themselves,” she said.
Sixteen-year-old Daniella Kwalmi reflected on the differences between their old facility and the new one: “In our old place, we didn’t have constant electricity or well ventilated rooms. We were cramped in but here, everything is better—the education section in our new home is bigger, and we even have air conditioners in our rooms.”
For Daniella, these changes mean more than comfort—they represent opportunities to dream bigger and achieve more. “So we are grateful to the First Lady for facilitating this beautiful home for us.”
Victor Shokogaza, who dreams of becoming a computer engineer, expressed his gratitude for the improved living conditions thus: “I can finally sleep well without worrying about heat because of the air conditioners. In our old home, we were packed into small rooms and had to sleep outside during hot nights. Now I can focus on my studies and work toward my dream job.”
For many of the residents at Nana Berry Orphanage, this new facility represents not just improved living conditions but also renewed hope for their futures.
Goodluck Kwalmi shared his excitement: “When you look around this facility you know this is something to be excited about. My message to all those who contributed is simple—thank you for reaching out to vulnerable ones like us. I pray that God who touched your hearts to remember people like us will continue to bless you, keep you and provide more for you to do for others also in need and replenish all that have been used to bless us in our new home.”
Victor echoed similar sentiments: “This new environment motivates me to study harder because now I have everything I need—a comfortable space free from distractions.”
Daniella expressed her gratitude for improved security: “In our old home, we didn’t feel safe because there wasn’t proper security. Here we can sleep peacefully knowing we’re protected.”
The Nana Berry Orphanage was founded by Mrs. Aishatu Kwalmi to provide care for vulnerable children who lacked access to basic necessities like food, education, and healthcare. For years, the orphanage operated under challenging conditions—overcrowded rooms, unreliable electricity, inadequate facilities, and long treks to school. Despite these hardships, Mrs. Kwalmi remained committed to her mission.
The turning point came in early 2023 when Nigeria’s First Lady watched an interview with Mrs. Kwalmi on NTA. Moved by the plight of the children living in such dire circumstances, Mrs. Tinubu took immediate action. She began by providing essential food supplies and later invited 70 children from the orphanage to the 2023 State House Christmas Party.
“I first learned about the plight of the children of Nana Berry Orphanage while watching an interview with its founder,” Mrs. Tinubu recalled during the inauguration ceremony. “As a mother, I knew I had to act.”
The newly constructed Nana Berry Orphanage spans 4,000 square meters and includes hostel blocks for boys and girls, classrooms, dormitories, staff quarters, solar-powered electricity, and a multipurpose hall designed to foster holistic development for vulnerable children.
The project was completed under Mrs. Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), which aligns with President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s agenda to improve social welfare across Nigeria. The initiative also supports global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 1 (No Poverty) and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities).
Addressing the children directly during the ceremony, Mrs. Tinubu encouraged them to embrace opportunities and dream big. She 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. Learn, grow, and become the best version of yourselves.”
During discussions about sustainability at the orphanage, Mrs. Kwalmi requested land for farming activities to support the facility’s needs. However, Mrs. Tinubu proposed an alternative approach—smart gardening techniques using buckets to grow crops like yams and potatoes.
“This place is big enough; let’s focus on innovative farming that teaches children valuable skills without diverting from their care,” she explained during the event.
She promised to send experts to teach the children these techniques while emphasizing that maintaining focus on their education and well-being should remain paramount.
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 the Senior Special Assistant to the President on SDGs, Hon Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire for overseeing the project’s execution.
The Nasarawa State Government played a pivotal role in ensuring the project’s success by donating land for construction and facilitating swift documentation processes.
Governor Sule emphasized his administration’s commitment to social welfare during his remarks at the ceremony. He said: “Today, we bring hope to those who have lost it,” he said through his deputy Emmanuel Akabe. “The dreams of these children are being revitalized.”
He reassured attendees that his government would continue partnering with Nana Berry Orphanage to maintain its high standards.
Collaboration for Change
Senior Special Assistant to the President on Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), Orelope-Adefulire praised collaborative efforts behind this project: “This facility reflects our commitment to ensure no one is left behind, especially vulnerable children.”
Represented by Head, Conditional Grant Scheme OSSAP-SDGs, Ifeyinwa Ukaegbu, she said with a capacity for 236 children, the facility provides a safe environment for learning and holistic development. She noted how partnerships between federal agencies, state governments, private donors helped turn vision to reality providing safe nurturing environments, fostering holistic growth for vulnerable youths across Nigeria aligning SDG Goal Quality Education 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.
For Kayla, Daniella, Victor, Patience, Goodluck and many others, Nana Berry Orphanage represents fresh beginning, an opportunity to rewrite stories entirely as First Lady aptly summarized in her closing remarks.