By Abdulhameed Ivavah
There are moments in public leadership when a simple gesture carries a deeper social message. The 2026 World Charity Day Road Walk in Lokoja was one such moment.
When the First Lady of Kogi State, Her Excellency Hajiya Sefinat Usman Ododo, led the walk from Obasanjo Square to the Government House, she brought the message of charity and compassion into direct contact with ordinary residents. Walking alongside her was the Rector of Kogi State Polytechnic, Prof. Salihu Sanusi Avidime.
For the Rector, the walk offered an opportunity to witness firsthand the humanitarian gestures extended to commuters, small business owners, persons living with disabilities, roadside traders and other residents along the route.
Speaking to the press after the walk, Prof. Avidime commended Hajiya Sefinat Ododo for her generosity and commitment to supporting vulnerable members of society. He described the initiative as a rare demonstration of compassion and encouraged its continuity.
The Rector also acknowledged the First Lady’s support for the administration of her husband, His Excellency, Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo, noting that humanitarian initiatives of this nature complement the government’s broader efforts to improve the wellbeing of citizens.
The Rector’s participation also reflected the willingness of public institutions to identify with programmes that promote community welfare and social responsibility. For Prof. Avidime, supporting such initiatives is part of recognising the importance of cooperation between government institutions and programmes that directly impact the people.
Prof further noted that the road walk combined charity with physical exercise, promoting healthy living while creating an avenue for engagement with the community. He therefore encouraged the sustenance of similar initiatives, noting that regular physical activity and acts of kindness are both beneficial to individuals and society.
The route from Obasanjo Square to the Government House also gave the programme a strong community dimension. Rather than being confined to a formal venue, the walk brought participants into contact with people going about their daily activities, making the message of charity more visible and accessible to the real needy
For Her Excellency Hajiya Sefinat Ododo, the event provided another platform to demonstrate her commitment to humanitarian service. For Prof. Avidime, his participation and subsequent remarks offered an opportunity to commend the initiative and reaffirm support for efforts that promote the welfare of Kogi citizens.
Ultimately, the significance of the walk lies not only in the distance covered, but in the message it conveyed: that leadership, compassion and healthy living can come together to strengthen the bond between public institutions and the people they serve.
– Abulhameed Ivavah writes from Ajaokuta LGA, Home of Steel
