As part of activities marking her 80th birthday, former Lagos State Deputy Governor, Alhaja Sinatu Ojikutu, has urged Nigerians and people of goodwill across the world to show love and support to the deprived and underprivileged in society.
In a statement issued ahead of her birthday on October 23, 2025, Ojikutu appealed to the public to turn the day into one of reflection, fasting, and prayer rather than celebration. She asked that all birthday gifts in her honour be converted into acts of kindness, particularly in feeding and assisting those in need.
Ojikutu explained that the global economic crisis had worsened suffering in many nations and that only compassion, spiritual renewal, and collective responsibility could help alleviate the hardship being faced by millions.
“Acute hardship is biting harder, and there is a need to seek the face of God to ameliorate the suffering, to grant those in leadership across the world wisdom, knowledge, and understanding on selfless non-egoistic actions to take and also grant the masses the discernment, not a clueless support spirit,” Ojikutu stated.
Describing her decision as a divine revelation, she said her desire was to see her birthday used to uplift others rather than receive personal gifts. “The message from God is coming very strongly. We must humble ourselves through fasting and prayer to reduce the suffering in the land. My birthday request is that all gifts be used to support the underprivileged around you,” she said.
The octogenarian further called on all God-fearing individuals worldwide to join in fasting and prayers on her birthday to seek divine intervention and avert further economic hardship globally.
Alhaja Sinatu Ojikutu made history as the first elected female deputy governor of Lagos State, serving between 1992 and 1993 under Governor Michael Otedola before the military takeover of government.
