By Ayo Onikoyi

Nollywood star Chika Ike turned her 40th birthday into a day of giving and empowerment through her ‘Chika 40 Smiles’ initiative.

The actress, who welcomed her first child earlier this year, chose to mark this milestone by gifting sewing machines to 40 less privileged women, transforming her celebration into a gesture of hope and opportunity.

Sharing her thoughts on the initiative, Chika wrote: “When I thought about celebrating my 40th birthday, so many ideas came to mind, including from my amazing team. “But this time, I wanted something not just lavish like I’ve done over the years… I wanted something truly memorable and impactful.

“The theme was #Chika40Smiles because I wanted to empower 40 women and make them smile. I’m a mom now, in a different space and season, and I wanted to celebrate in a way that reflected that.” A moving video from the event captured the joy and gratitude of the women as they received their gifts, highlighting the power of compassion and giving back. Drawing inspiration from her mother and her journey into motherhood, Chika Ike’s milestone celebration serves as a reminder of the impact of love, generosity, and community support.