…..Foundation opens shelter, promises medical care as founder vows: ‘Our elders must not be left behind’
By: Abdullahi Inuwa
KATSINA — In what could mark a major shift in the care of vulnerable senior citizens in Katsina State, the Asiya Abdulrahman Foundation has opened a free elderly care home to provide shelter, medical attention and other forms of support to older people who have nowhere else to turn.
The facility, located at Gidan Marayu Quarters, popularly known as Ta’awun Quarters, behind Dandagoro in Katsina metropolis, was formally opened on Monday, August 31, 2026.
The foundation said the centre is the first of its kind in the state and was established to give vulnerable elderly people a safe and dignified place to live when they are no longer able to care for themselves.
Speaking after the opening ceremony, founder of the foundation, Asiya Abdulrahman, said the project was driven by a simple concern — that ageing Nigerians should not be forgotten or abandoned because of poverty, illness or family circumstances.
“We are here to support our elders,” she said.
Abdulrahman disclosed that the foundation currently operates three humanitarian facilities in Katsina — an elderly care home, a migrant home and an orphanage.
She added that the organisation had so far supported nearly 21 families through its humanitarian interventions.
Medical Team on Standby
The new centre, according to the founder, will not only provide accommodation but also ensure that residents receive medical assistance whenever necessary.
“We have our medical teams. They will provide health and medical assistance whenever they are ill,” she said.
The arrangement, she explained, is intended to provide elderly residents with comprehensive care while restoring a sense of dignity and belonging to people who may otherwise be neglected.
Inspired by UK Elderly Care Homes
Abdulrahman said her decision to establish the facility was partly inspired by elderly care homes she encountered during visits to the United Kingdom, particularly in London.
She said seeing how older people were accommodated and cared for abroad made her consider whether a similar model could be adapted to address the needs of vulnerable elders in Katsina.
According to her, some families are willing to care for their elderly relatives but simply lack the financial resources, time or physical capacity to do so.
“I just want to make sure our elders are not left behind,” she said.
Street Children Also on Foundation’s Radar
The foundation’s humanitarian work extends beyond the elderly.
Abdulrahman revealed that the organisation is also working to rescue vulnerable children from the streets, particularly those involved in begging and street trading.
Some of the children, she said, have already been enrolled in public schools, where they receive both conventional and Islamic education.
She said the foundation had taken some of the children into schools around Kofar Guga while continuing to coordinate support for others.
The ultimate goal, she said, is to move children away from the dangers of street life and give them access to education and opportunities that could change their future.
‘I Am From Katsina’
Explaining her decision to establish the project in Katsina despite operating from Abuja, Abdulrahman said the state has a personal connection to her.
“I am from Katsina State as well,” she said.
She added that her humanitarian activities were motivated by a desire to give back to society and support people facing difficult circumstances.
Foundation Opens Door for Partners
With plans to expand its interventions, the foundation is seeking partnerships with NGOs, humanitarian organisations, philanthropists and other individuals willing to support its programmes.
Abdulrahman said collaboration would be crucial to reaching more elderly people, children and other vulnerable groups across Katsina.
“I really need to partner with other NGOs to actually do that. The door is open for everyone. You’re welcome,” she said.
No Direct Government Funding Yet
The founder also disclosed that the foundation had not received direct financial assistance from the government.
She, however, expressed appreciation for the government’s involvement in some of its activities, including the commencement programme held at the Government House.
“I really don’t have any support from government, but I really appreciate what they did,” she said.
Abdulrahman expressed optimism that stronger partnerships with government agencies, NGOs and private supporters would enable the foundation to expand its humanitarian footprint.
For Katsina’s vulnerable elderly residents, however, the opening of the home represents more than the launch of another charity project — it offers the possibility of shelter, care and dignity at a stage of life when many fear being forgotten.
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