By Stephen Adeleye
The First Lady of Kogi State, Her Excellency Hajia Sefinat Usman Ododo, on Saturday led a series of activities to commemorate the 2026 World Charity Day with the theme “Charity for a Better World”.
The day began with a Charity Day Road Walk led by the First Lady from Obasanjo Square to Government House, Lokoja.
Along the route, women, the elderly, roadside hawkers and other vulnerable groups received cash gifts and food items.
Speaking at the event held at Government House after the road walk, Hajia Ododo said the International Day of Charity reminds citizens of the value of kindness, compassion and giving.
“It is a day to remember that a little act of help can bring hope to someone and make a real difference in their life,” she said.
As part of her Homemaker Empowerment Initiative, the First Lady empowered over 500 women, including 50 elderly women, widows and Persons Living With Disabilities, (PWDs), with food items and cash donations ranging from N5,000 to N100,000 each.
Other activities for the day included visits to orphanages and hospitals, as well as the distribution of welfare packages and cash to the vulnerable.
The First Lady urged citizens to make charity part of their daily lives.
“Let us lend a helping hand to our neighbor. Let us support a family in need and plant hope wherever we can.
“Together, with love and care, we can build a Kogi State where no one is forgotten — especially our women,” she said.
She commended the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, CON, for her work through the Renewed Hope Initiative (RHI), describing her as the “Mother of Charity” whose love and care for the less privileged has brought hope to many Nigerians.
“Kogi State is proud to key into this vision and play our part in efforts to make life better for our people,” Hajia Ododo added.
The First Lady called on traditional women leaders, wives of public office holders, and all women to continue empowering one another and strengthening families.
In her goodwill message, Barr. Tina Ekele of the National Council for Women Societies, (NCWS), explained that World Charity Day is celebrated every September 5th to promote kindness and giving, noting that “small acts of compassion can bring hope, reduce suffering, and build a better world for everyone.”
Also speaking, the Wife of the Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Hajia Zainab Umar, and the Wife of the Attorney General of Kogi State, Hajia Karimat Abdullahi, commended the Governor’s wife for her benevolence and commitment to supporting less privileged women in the state.
“Happy International Day of Charity. God bless Kogi State. God bless the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” she said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the World Charity Day is observed globally every Sept. 5 to honour the spirit of kindness, compassion, and giving.
The day was proclaimed by the United Nations and marks the anniversary of Mother Teresa’s passing, celebrating her lifelong dedication to helping the poorest and most vulnerable.
