Amputee who survived three ghastly accidents unveils big charity dream for disabled children
By Emmanuel Ijiola
For Temitayo Israel Olowoake, life has been a series of close shaves with death and painful losses, but also a journey of divine purpose.
The 37-year-old indigene of Ekiti State and Mass Communication graduate of Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, recounted how he survived three different accidents. In one, he lost his mother and his left hand; in another that left his face damaged; and the most recent on October 5th, 2026, when a bus he was in caught fire and left him with a leg injury.
Narrating his ordeal, Olowoake said his life before the first accident was that of a struggling graduate striving to make ends meet. Everything changed after the crash that claimed his mother instantly and left him amputated.
“I have been described as the luckiest person in Nigeria history. I had encounter with accident three times, and lost my mother to cold of death while I lost my left hand… It has been misfortune all my life but death has refused to take me because my time has not come,” he said.
He disclosed that years after the accident that took his mother, his father also died following an amputation, leaving him as an orphan. Since then, he said he has faced discrimination and rejection because of his disability.
Despite his prosthetic challenge, Olowoake said he does not see his disability as a limitation but as a divine call to duty. A skilled poultry farmer who rears fowl and turkey, he said lack of capital stalled his business, prompting him to channel his energy into his brainchild, the Cheerful Samaritan Charity Foundation.
The foundation, he said, is focused on assisting the less-privileged, disabled, physically challenged, vulnerable and abandoned children on the streets of Lagos and Ogun State.
Speaking on his next mission, he revealed plans for the second edition of his End-of-Year event for amputees and lame children aged 7 to 21, scheduled for December 19th, 2026, at St. Michael School Hall, Sango-Ota, Ogun State.
“We are soliciting for sponsorship and support from well-to-do personalities. For assistance we want to host 300 children, feed them, pay their transport and give them cash awards and writing school materials,” he said.
When asked about the kind of support he needs, he listed cash donations, products, bus support for conveying the children, and shelter.
On his marital status, the self-described covenant child said: “I am not married. I do not know how woman private part looks like because, I am a virgin man.”
He maintained that there is no reason he should not be supported, expressing hope that a destined helper will come through for his mission.
This interview was originally conducted by Prince Sunny Ebhojiaye for The City Express News