Mr. Gabriel Kuta is an Abuja-based philanthropist and CEO, Christ Orphanage Foundation. During a visit to the orphanage by the Management and Staff of Wazobia FM, Abuja, he spoke with The Dream Daily’s AKOMBO AODONA on a number of issues concerning the needy in the society and what the Government needs to do to meet the demand of the vulnerable in the country; Excerpt.
Let’s start with an introduction sir.
My name is Kuta Gabriel, the CEO of Christ Orphanage home, Kuje. I am privileged to have this crowd of people, courtesy of Wazobia FM. I give God the glory for making it possible for all of us to be here today. My heart is overwhelmed.
These children have never seen this before. I think one of the things that impacted the orphans most is love. These children needed every parent, every organization, government and its agencies and parastatals so much. So, Wazobia FM’s visit has gone a long way in putting smile on the faces of these children. I think government has never put up something like orphanage agenda even in school or whatever, but today, Wazobia FM is here to make the children loved from the heart. Today, I can say that they are not feeling like orphans because Wazobia FM came to visit them. I really appreciate this visit.
How did you start this orphanage home?
Well, the idea of starting this orphanage home came through divine direction. We started this right from the United Kingdom (UK) where I and my wife worked before. My wife worked with an agent that supported orphans in Somalia and India who were in crisis situation. So God spoke to my wife, that we should come back home and put up something like this.
So we came back to Nigeria last year and contacted the police and village clans and other agencies concerned on how we can come in to assist those in need and the kids. When we discovered that our attention was needed at home, we sold our house in London and relocated to Nigeria. When we came to Abuja, we found out that a lot of children were just outside on the street, suffering. Some even lost both biological parents and some stayed with their aged mothers of about 80 years and in many cases, these aged parents were blind. We then had a situation where a child of about 14 had never been to primary school. So we decided that God helping, we’ll put a smile on these children’s faces.
We came to Abuja and rented a three-bed room flat of about N700,000. But we were unable to pay it again. We sold our cars and a house in Lagos to put this massive house here which is still under construction. That is the dining hall, a chapel and classroom block. Then, people started bringing these children through the police. Some were abandoned and brought here through normal channel. So this is a pure calling from God to serve humanity.
Ok, right now, how many children make up this home?
As I’m speaking to you now, we have about 57 children. Two have graduated from the university now; four are undergraduate students in the university, presently. And eight of them are currently writing their WAEC and NECO examinations. By the special Grace of God, we believe that they will also go to the university. About 47 of them are spread in nursery, primary and secondary schools.
How are you coping with the 57 children in terms of finance and their welfare?
We are not particularly attached to a group of people or individuals, organisation or government that placed us on monthly, quarterly or yearly support. Sometimes we do expect this kind of support but obviously, we are not attached to any, not even on the international arena like the UK where I worked before. Except, that God has been touching some groups and individuals like what Wazobia FM is doing now and some women but I cannot mention their names. Individually, people have been coming to bless these children.
Why do you choose Kuje to site this Home?
Coming to Kuje is not a dream of my wife or mine but a calling from God. When God directed my wife to move from South to North, you know, my wife is that kind of a person that even if you give her a house in Aso Rock Villa, provided it is in the North, she will not go because of the crisis in the Northern region.
But God still put in her heart that I and she should go to the North. Though we had a big land in Suleja to buy, God spoke to her right away, that ‘Oh my daughter I sent you to Abuja, the place you have never been to.’
When we came to Abuja, we stayed in Lugbe. The land we bought in Lugbe was about 2.7 hectares. Up till date, somebody invaded that land and we are still dragging it. Today, we cannot have that land or our money back, which was N2.8million.
So we had to move to Kuje after we sold our properties, despite the distance, because we have the divine mandate to touch peoples’ lives. That is the reason why we are here. Moreover, land is very expensive in Abuja. We lands that were going for N7 million, N10 million, we couldn’t get that kind of money? In our wisdom, we said let’s come to this place. When we were building this house, we exhausted our funds. The children were worried but we moved into the house without mosquito nets and ceiling. But later, we were able to do one ceiling. Today, the ceiling part of it is completed. We really found joy here. This is where God has sent us to be. Today we are able to put smiles on people’s faces through the Christ Orphanage Foundation.
Did you make any effort to seek support from government at any level?
No, except may be some people do that on their own. But for now, we never have such. We don’t have any organisation supporting us officially.
But do you have the intention of doing so?
Yes, I have intention of doing so because of the passion burning in my heart. If you go to the market, in the night, you will see a lot of children sleeping on the streets. You will shed tears. My heart is filled up but my hands cannot carry out this load alone. If government comes to my assistance and build hostels for us, , we can accommodate a lot of children and give them good vision and goals in life.
Let the government come to our aid. We are also calling on corporate bodies and individuals to complement our efforts. If they want to assist us, let them ask us what they want. If it is money you want to give us to build structures, give us and come back tomorrow and ask us what we have done with your money. We will definitely execute it. There are many other areas of challenges and me and my wife cannot shoulder them alone. School fees is there, medical bill is there, transport to school is there, workers on our payroll is there. Apart from my business that I’m relying on, I don’t have any other source of income to rely on.
What advice do you have for the wealthy in society?
Let them channel party of their wealth to the needy. They should come to the Christ Orphanage Foundation or any other orphanage home nearest to them and put a smile on the faces of the orphans. One thing I believe in life is that all the wealth, houses, cars one has is nothing. What matters is how many people did you support with what God gave you freely? That is what God will ask of us all He said in the book of Mathew 25:35 – 40, “when I was naked, you clothed me, when I was thirsty, you gave me water and when I was hungry, you gave me food”. This is what Wazobia FM has done. And all of us are here now putting smiles on the faces of the children. God’s heart is so open and happy because the orphans dwell in the heart of God.
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