Chika Ike Marks 40th Birthday by Empowering 40 Women
Nollywood actress and philanthropist Chika Ike celebrated her 40th birthday in a meaningful way by launching an empowerment initiative aimed at uplifting less‑privileged women. The event, which coincides with this milestone year, was themed “Chika40Smiles” and was held in Lagos earlier this week.
A Celebration with Purpose
Rather than opting for a traditional lavish party, Chika Ike said she chose something more impactful for this birthday milestone. “When I thought about celebrating my 40th birthday… so many ideas came to mind … But this time, I wanted something truly memorable and impactful,” she reflected.
The event gathered 40 women who received various forms of empowerment, enabling them to “smile” and move into a different season of their lives.
From Personal Inspiration to Public Good
Chika Ike said her decision was inspired by both her mother’s sacrifices and her own new role as a mum. “I’m a mom now, in a different space and season, and I wanted to celebrate in a way that reflected that,” she said.
The actress described the day as full of emotion: joy, tears, prayers and dancing, noting it “turned out even better than I imagined.”
What the Empowerment Looked Like
The empowerment initiative reportedly included giving practical support to the selected women, ensuring that the celebration went beyond words and into real action.
Though the full list of gifts or programmes was not disclosed in detail, the beneficiaries were selected to benefit from the Chika40Smiles project which aims to make the women “smile” by changing their circumstances.
Looking Ahead
Chika Ike’s milestone celebration suggests a shift in focus: from personal celebration to communal impact. As she enters her fifth decade, she appears to be aligning her public engagements with her values of giving back. She encouraged other mothers and women: “Keep shining, keep loving, and keep smiling.”
As she said, this was “the best birthday celebration I’ve ever had because it meant so much more.”