The First Lady of Kogi State, Hajia Sefinat Usman Ododo, on Saturday led a charity roadwalk from Obasanjo Square to the Kogi State Government House in Lokoja to commemorate World Charity Day 2026, reaffirming her commitment to social welfare and support for vulnerable groups across the state.
The event, which had government officials, women groups, community leaders and residents in attendance underscored the importance of compassion, generosity and collective responsibility in building a more inclusive society.
Speaking during the celebration at the Government House, Hajia Sefinat Ododo emphasized that every citizen’s future matters and no individual should be left behind in the quest for development and prosperity.
She noted that through her humanitarian platform, the Ohunene Empowerment Initiative (OEI), she would continue to play her part in touching lives and putting smiles on the faces of the less privileged.
As part of activities marking the day, the wife of the Kogi State Governor distributed cash gifts and food items to 50 elderly women, while also extending support to women, groups, elderly persons, roadside hawkers and other vulnerable residents.
The gesture, she said, was aimed at providing relief and demonstrating love to those who were not relenting in ensuring self sustainance.
According to her, charity should not be viewed as a one day event but as a continuous commitment to uplifting others and strengthening communities.
Hajia Sefinat called on citizens to make acts of kindness a regular part of their lives, urging individuals, groups and organizations to reach out to people in need and contribute towards building a more caring and compassionate society.
Mrs Ododo also appealed to privileged Nigerians to imbibe the spirit of charity and use their resources and influence to positively impact the lives of vulnerable members of the society.
She used the occasion to appreciate the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for her sustained humanitarian interventions and commitment to improving the welfare of women, children and disadvantaged persons across the country.
She described the President’s wife as a source of inspiration whose efforts continue to touch lives nationwide.
She called on women leaders in government and those occupying positions of authority to emulate the good works of Nigeria’s First Lady by initiating programmes that directly improve the living conditions of ordinary citizens, stessing that genuine leadership should be measured by the ability to uplift the vulnerable and offer hope to those in need.
“Together, we can build a state where no one is forgotten and where every citizen has the opportunity to live with dignity and hope,” she said.
Beneficiaries of the Charity Day programme expressed gratitude for the generosity of the First Lady and her concern for the less privileged, noting that the support would help ease some of their immediate challenges.
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