Odion Ighalo was just 17 years old when he left Nigeria, but he never forgot his roots.
The former Man Utd star, who faces off against Chelsea in the Club World Cup for Saudi club Al Hilal, used his earnings from the game to fund an orphanage in his home town.
Ex-Man Utd striker Odion Ighalo opened an orphanage in Nigeria
In December 2017, the Ighalo Orphanage Home was opened in Ijegun, a humble suburb in northern Lagos.
Super Eagles star Ighalo grew up 50km up the road in Agejunle.
“Life was tough growing up in Ajegunle and I vowed that if I eventually had a breakthrough, I’ll give back to the society that made me,” the 32-year-old said on the Foundation’s website.
“Life’s challenges were hard enough even with both parents at my side.
The Ighalo Orphanage Home is in Lagos where the striker grew up
Ighalo knows the challenge for youngsters growing up in Nigeria
Ighalo’s orphanage looks after 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren up to the age of 18
The logo of the orphanage depicts Ighalo celebrating a goal
“It goes without saying that orphans have it even worse and it gladdens my heart that life has offered me this rare privilege to be guiding light in their life.”
Ighalo reportedly spent 500 million Nigerian naira – around £1m – to build the home.
It houses between 30 to 40 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren and has separate apartments for boys and girls.
They take babies and pledge to look after them until they reach 18, teaching academic studies and sports.
Igahlo never forgot his roots despite playing in countries as far as China Credit: Instagram @ighalojude
Ighalo spent three years playing at Vicarage Road for Watford Credit: PA:Empics Sport
Ighalo was joined at the opening by former Nigeria internationals Peter Rufai, Samson Siasia, Austin Eguavoen and ex-Super Falcons keeper Ann Chiejine.
Spotted on the outside of the orange walls is the orphanage’s logo.
It depicts Ighalo sliding on his knees and raising his arms to the sky as he celebrates a goal, with the inscription ‘God is able’.
“I dream of affecting lives and this is one step in the right direction,” he said.
Ighalo represented Nigeria at the World Cup in Russia in 2018Credit: News Group Newspapers Ltd
“I hope lives will be positively changes, the aims and goals of the orphanage fully met and the 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren who are the leaders of tomorrow preserved.”
Before opening the orphanage, Ighalo found other ways to help.
The devout Christian would send a chunk of his wages back to Nigeria in order to help 𝘤𝘩𝘪𝘭𝘥ren, schools and widows living below the poverty line.
In 2015, he told the Daily Mirror: “My family are No1. Every month I send money back home to them, but I also send donations to the less privileged because I come from poverty.
“I send money to kids, to schools, and I’m taking care of around 45 widows, women who have no husbands, and I’m trying to start a charity organisation to give something back.
“I know what it’s like to have nothing.”
