One of the biggest decisions of my life, Borno woman celebrates adopted daughter’s graduation
August 5, 2026 6:28 am
Borno woman celebrates adopted daughter’s graduation. Credit: FB | Yakaka Yerima
A Maiduguri, Borno State-based woman, Yakaka Yerima, has celebrated her adopted daughter after the child graduated from nursery school, six years after she took her in and breastfed her following the loss of her parents to insurgency.
Sharing the milestone in a Facebook post on Monday, Yakaka recounted that the girl’s father was killed in a terrorist attack before she was born, while her mother died during childbirth after surviving the attack.
According to her, the newborn was taken to an orphanage, but she could not stop thinking about the child’s fate.
“Six years ago, I made one of the biggest decisions of my life. I chose to adopt a baby girl who lost her father to insurgency before she was even born and lost her mother while she was coming into this world.
“She was taken to an orphanage, but for three nights, I couldn’t sleep properly. I kept wondering how such a tiny, helpless baby would survive without a mother’s love,” she wrote.
Yakaka said she already had an 11-month-old baby at the time but decided to bring the orphaned infant home and raise her alongside her biological child.
“At the time, I already had an 11-month-old baby. I brought her home, and I breastfed them both together. From that moment, she became my daughter in every way that matters,” she added.
Reflecting on the girl’s nursery school graduation, Yakaka described the moment as deeply emotional.
“Today, my heart is overflowing as I watched her graduate from nursery school. The fragile little baby Allah entrusted to me is gradually becoming a big girl,” she wrote.
Praying for the child’s future, she added, “May Allah continue to bless and protect you my darling. May He guide your steps, increase you in wisdom and goodness, and make you the coolness of my eyes.
“Congratulations, my beautiful angel. Mommy is so proud of you.”
Hannah Johnson is a journalist at Punch Newspapers with over three years of professional experience in reporting, storytelling, and digital content creation. She blends traditional reporting skills with a modern, digital-first approach to journalism, producing content tailored for both web and social platforms. Hannah is skilled at turning complex topics into clear, engaging, and relatable stories that resonate with a wide audience. Her work reflects hands-on newsroom experience, editorial judgment, and a strong commitment to accurate, audience-focused journalism.
All rights reserved. This material, and other digital content on this website, may not be reproduced, published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed in whole or in part without prior express written permission from PUNCH.
Contact: [email protected]