The founder of the Omituntun Benedict Foundation, Chief Benedict Akika, marked his birthday in a heartwarming celebration with hundreds of widows and orphans in Ibadan on Tuesday.
In an interview following the distribution of items to about 250 widows at his residence, Chief Akika, the Agbakin of Olorunda and Mayekun of Akobi, shared the motivation behind his unique birthday celebration.
“I chose to celebrate my birthday with widows and orphans to uplift their spirits and alleviate the economic hardships they face in our country,” he stated.
“Widows, in particular, need our help given the current economic challenges in Nigeria. Many of them live in poverty and require financial and material support. We do this regularly, almost every day, as they often come to my house for assistance.
“We began this initiative about eight years ago, and today alone, we have distributed items including foodstuffs to about 250 widows.
“In this month of July, we have given out 10 sewing machines, four grinding machines, and today, we provided one more grinding machine to a widow. These individuals are like family to me, always present with various requests, and with God’s help, we strive to meet their needs,” Akika added.
When asked about the total expenditures and the number of items distributed over the past eight years, Akika humbly responded, “God is the one doing the wonders.”
The widows who spoke with journalists described Akika as a godsend and an exceptional benefactor who continually brings joy to their lives.
Mrs. Kehinde Olagoke, who received a grinding machine, expressed her gratitude, saying, “I didn’t expect this. We came to celebrate with our benefactor, and it turned out to be a great blessing for me. I pray that God Almighty continues to prosper and protect the Mayegun of Olorunda and his family.”
Mrs. Taiwo Salawu praised Chief Akika’s generosity, stating, “Chief Benedict Akika takes excellent care of us, providing jobs and supporting our children. Today, he asked us to submit names of children interested in studying nursing, not just from our families but from our communities as well. Only God can reward him and his family.”
Mrs. Debora Ojediran, affectionately known as Ìyá My Dear, added, “We are his ‘wives,’ as he calls us. Look at us; can you believe we are widows? He takes such good care of us, along with students, married women, the underprivileged, and people with disabilities. We urge other politicians to follow his example. If more people joined hands with him, our society would be a much better place.”
Children and staff from the OYIZA Orphanage and Foster Foundation, also known as God is Love, attended the birthday party, receiving special treatment as the youngest group present. Chief Akika donated foodstuffs, beverages, toiletries, and other essentials to the orphanage at the end of the celebration.
Chief Akika concluded by encouraging politicians, public office holders, and wealthy individuals to cultivate the habit of giving back to society.
“My advice to political office holders, politicians, and the affluent is to come to the aid of the poor and underprivileged during these challenging economic times. Their wealth should not be for them and their families alone but should be shared with those in need. There are many poor widows in society who deserve our help and happiness,” he advised.
