Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan
An Artisan broke down in tears when Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, handed him the key of a duplex he worked on as a gift.
The touching gesture took place on Tuesday during the 46th birthday activities of the lawmaker, who also donated completed houses to her legislative aides.
While six of her legislative aides received fully furnished three-bedroom bungalows, the artisan, Abdul Babamba, was stunned to discover that the house he had been engaged to work on was, in fact, his own.
According to Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan, Babamba, a POP ceiling specialist, carried out his duties diligently, believing he was simply executing a contract for a client.
“He showed up every day, fully committed to his craft, thinking he was delivering quality work for someone else. But every ceiling he shaped and every corner he perfected was a silent gift being prepared for his own future,” the Senator said.
She explained that Babamba held a special place in her family, describing him as an uncle to her children and a trusted ally who remained supportive even after her previous marriage ended.
“I married from his relatives, and even though that marriage failed, he remained committed to me and my children. He always cared for us,” she said.
Providing insight into the elaborate surprise, Akpoti-Uduaghan revealed that Babamba also doubled as one of her legislative aides and a skilled painter and POP technician, which made it possible to keep the gift hidden from him.
“We contracted him to work on this house, and he didn’t know it belonged to him. To get him here today, we even told him some of the POP work wasn’t good enough and needed fixing,” she said.
Narrating the moment of disclosure, the Senator explained that Babamba had no family member present, as the plan was to preserve the element of surprise.
“This house is very special. There’s a story behind it. The owner of the house doesn’t know it belongs to him,” she said moments before leading the unsuspecting artisan into the building.
Upon being told the truth, Babamba visibly broke down in tears, overwhelmed by the gesture, as onlookers applauded.
“Stand up. It’s okay. This is your house,” the senator told him, reassuring him as emotions ran high.
She added that Babamba had also worked on other houses within the project, unaware that one of them was being prepared as a life-changing gift in his name.
“He’s been working on this house all along. He didn’t know this is his house,” she said.
The gesture has since drawn widespread reactions on social media, with many praising the Senator for recognising loyalty, hard work and personal sacrifice beyond politics.
In 2023, Akpoti-Uduaghan gifted Damari Isah, her nanny, a two-bedroom bungalow in Abuja, explaining that Isah had been part of her life for 10 years and had become like a second mother to her children.
The Senator said the house was a token of gratitude for the love and care the nanny has consistently shown to her family.
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