Joy and celebration filled the air in Rigachikun, Kaduna State, as 100 widows and orphans received brand new homes completely free of charge. The life-changing initiative was spearheaded by Adashe Women Housing and Empowerment Society, bringing hope to vulnerable families who have struggled with housing insecurity for years.
From Personal Pain to Collective Gain
The driving force behind this remarkable project is Dr. Umma Sani, Chief Executive Officer of Adashe Women Housing and Empowerment Society. During the emotional handover ceremony, Dr. Sani shared her deeply personal connection to the cause, revealing her own childhood experiences with homelessness.
"I was brought up as an orphan. I lost my dad when I was one year old," Dr. Sani recounted. "Growing up, the biggest challenge my family faced was housing. Many times, I would come back home from school and find our belongings thrown outside because we couldn't pay the monthly rent."
As the last of eleven children, Dr. Sani faced constant fear of eviction and social stigma. These painful memories fueled her determination to ensure other vulnerable families wouldn't suffer similar hardships.
Collaborative Effort Brings Dreams to Life
The housing project represents a successful partnership between multiple organizations. Adashe Women Housing and Empowerment Society collaborated with Family Homes Funds and the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning to make the vision a reality.
Dr. Sani emphasized that the initiative aligns with President Bola Tinubu's Renewed Hope Agenda, demonstrating how public-private partnerships can effectively address social challenges. "We collaborated with Family Homes Funds; they are wonderful people. The Ministry of Budget and Planning, under the Honourable Minister, Alhaji Atiku Bagudu, also supported us," she explained.
The project location in Rigachikun, Igabi Local Government Area, now hosts 100 families who previously lived in precarious conditions, with many facing constant flooding and unsafe housing situations.
Beyond Shelter: Comprehensive Empowerment
This initiative goes beyond merely providing physical structures. Dr. Sani stressed that the housing scheme is part of a broader empowerment program designed to make widows self-reliant.
"We empowered them with starter packs and even provided pens for them to begin their businesses," she revealed. "The idea is not just to give houses but to give them the tools to stand on their feet."
Beneficiaries underwent training sessions before receiving their keys and allocation letters, demonstrating their commitment to making the most of this opportunity. The comprehensive approach ensures that recipients not only have shelter but also the means to sustain themselves and their families.
National Expansion Plans Underway
The Kaduna project marks just the beginning of a much larger vision. Dr. Sani announced that similar housing projects will be replicated in Ibadan and Calabar, with plans to eventually reach all 36 states of the federation.
"This is the pilot project. We want to go around the 36 states of the Federation," she stated. "Our goal is to ensure that widows and orphans across Nigeria can have a safe place to call home."
Abdul Muktar, Managing Director of Family Homes Funds Limited, confirmed that similar social housing projects are already underway in other locations. The Ibadan project specifically targets families of Nigeria's fallen military heroes, while the Calabar initiative focuses on supporting the less privileged.
Transformative Impact on Beneficiaries
For recipients like Mrs. Sarah Owojere, a widow and mother of four, the housing allocation represents nothing less than a miracle. "I am very happy and appreciative. God has really granted my heart's desires because the house I'm living in is not really good," she shared, describing years of living in unsafe conditions with repeated flooding.
Government representatives at the event emphasized the importance of proper maintenance. Shehu Salisu, Permanent Secretary of Kaduna State's Ministry of Housing Development, urged beneficiaries to maintain the properties well, noting that proper upkeep would encourage government to expand similar interventions.
Both federal and state governments reaffirmed their commitment to providing affordable housing to alleviate the suffering of less privileged citizens across Nigeria.
