By Ibrahim Hassan-Wuyo

A deeply personal story of loss, homelessness, and resilience has given rise to one of Kaduna State’s most impactful social housing projects for widows.

The Chief Executive Officer of the Adashe Women Housing and Empowerment Society, Dr. Umma Sani, has revealed that the hardship she endured growing up as an orphan motivated her to build 100 free housing units for widows and orphans in the state.

The homes, located in Rigachikun, Igabi Local Government Area, were officially handed over to beneficiaries during a ceremony attended by government officials and development partners.

Executed in collaboration with Family Homes Funds and the Federal Ministry of Budget and Economic Planning, the project aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda for affordable housing.

Speaking after the handover, Dr. Sani said the initiative was conceived not only to provide shelter but also to restore dignity and stability to widows raising children alone.

“Today, 100 women have been given more than a home; they have been given shelter, peace, and a serene environment where they can raise their children,” she said.

“Adashe Women Housing came up with the idea, but Family Homes Funds partnered with us, and the Ministry of Budget and Planning also supported us. We give glory to God.”

She added that the homes are part of a broader empowerment programme, which includes business training and starter packs to help the widows become self-reliant.

“The idea is not just to give houses but to equip them with the tools to stand on their feet,” she noted.

According to her, the 100-unit estate is only the beginning, as the organisation intends to replicate the effort in all 36 states of the federation.

Dr. Sani became emotional when recounting the inspiration behind the project, describing a childhood filled with instability and frequent evictions due to unpaid rent.

“I was brought up as an orphan. I lost my dad when I was one year old. Housing was always our biggest challenge. Many times, I would come home from school to meet our belongings outside,” she said. “I thought I would start with maybe three or five houses. But God made it possible for us to give out 100 houses for free today.”

Representing the Kaduna State Government, Shehu Salisu, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Housing Development, reaffirmed the government’s commitment to providing decent and affordable housing for the vulnerable and urged beneficiaries to maintain the properties.

Managing Director of Family Homes Funds Limited, Abdul Muktar, also emphasized the importance of maintenance and noted that the organisation is carrying out similar interventions across the country, including estates for widows of fallen military officers in Ibadan and homes for the less privileged in Calabar.

For beneficiaries like Mrs. Sarah Owojere, a widow and mother of four, the new home represents the end of years of hardship.

“It is a dream come true,” she said. “God has granted my heart’s desire because the house I was living in before was not good. I am very happy and appreciative.”

The project has been widely praised as a timely intervention amid increasing calls for expanded social welfare support for widows and vulnerable households nationwide.