Mama Ekundayo – The Yoruba - Kogi Woman Who Raised Over 500 Orphans And Abandoned Children.

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 It is little surprise that we have neglected some of the most vulnerable ones in the society – the orphans and abandoned kids. But there was one woman who did the opposite – she dedicated her life to taking care of orphans. Her name is Mama Janet Ekundayo.

Ekundayo is a name in the language of the Yorubas of West Africa. It can be translated as ‘tears turned to joy’ or ‘my tears have turned to joy’. And truly, this wonderful woman turned the hot, steamy tears of many kids into unlimited joy.

Mama Ekundayo has been described as the Mother Theresa of Africa, because she dedicated most of her life to take care of orphans and abandoned children in the society.


In 2007, she adopted her 469th child, and by the year 2008; she had already cared for over 500 children.

This act earned her the nickname “Olomo yeye”, which means someone with many children.


Her lifestyle projected the meaning of her name, “Ekundayo,” which is translated to mean, “tears have turned to joy” in Yoruba language.

Mama Ekundayo, who’s real name is Janet Ekundayo gave birth to five children of her own, but that did not stop her from adopting other kids because of her love for children.


She enjoyed the company of little children, therefore taking care of them came naturally to her. In 1969, Mama Ekundayo made a decision to dedicate the rest of her life to taking care of orphans and abandoned children.


For over 50 years, Mama Janet Ekundayo ran the Ekundayo Orphanage Home in Isanlu Makutu, Kogi state.She has been described as one of the most influential Kogi Women of all time.


Popular Singer and Photographer TY Bello sang about her.


Her Famous Words are::



Emi ko, ishe Oluwa ni (It is not by my efforts but

by the grace of God).

Agbara mi ko, agbara Olorun ni (It is not by my power or

might, but that of God).

This sign is also at the entrance of her orphanage.Bawo ni mashe jeun nigba ti gbogbo

awon omomi o ri je, ti won rimu? (How can I eat when all my children are starving?)

Ayo mikun, gbogbo igbese aye mi, ayo ni. Mi o mo idi

ti Olorun fi pe mi be.Into mu inu mi dun ni ti awon omo yii. 

(My joy overflows, my whole life has been filled with joy.

I still don’t know why God

chose me thus. These children give me the greatest joy).

Eje fogo Olorun han, ma se bo talenti mo le

rara, eje fogo olorun han. (Let your talent flourish, don’t hide it).

 For her, her talent was caring for children.

In the year 2009, death came knocking. She was believed

to be an octogenarian  or a nonagenarian.

Many never heard of her until the Nigerian singer, TY Bello made a video in her honor and

even produced a song titled Ekundayo ft Olufunmi for her in 2008.

It was part of her popular album, Greenland.

Later, she would also be featured on Mosunmola Folake Abudu (Mo Abudu)’s program, Moments with Mo. One prayer she had was for God to grant her someone to whom she could hand over the project when she is no more. Her prayers were answered. Her daughter, Grace, has graciously taken upon this task started by her mother.

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