Actress, philanthropist, and politician Tonto Dikeh has shared a deeply personal story of loss, vulnerability, and how pain shaped her purpose in life. In an emotional statement, Tonto revealed that she lost her mother when she was just three years old, a tragedy that left a lasting scar on her heart. “I lost my mother when I was just 3 years old. I didn’t understand what death meant. I just knew one day, my mummy was gone and never came back.” Growing up without a maternal figure, especially as a young girl, left her with a deep sense of longing and emotional void. She described how, behind her bold personality, there was a little girl aching for the love and guidance only a mother could give. “People saw me as strong, bold, and loud. But inside, I was just a little girl who missed her mum every single day.” That profound pain, she says, became the fuel for her compassion. Rather than let grief consume her, Tonto transformed her sorrow into a passion for giving. “That pain shaped me. It made me want to love others deeply especially children. That’s why I started helping orphans and doing charity. I want to be the mother I never had to others.” Tonto’s humanitarian efforts are widely recognized across Nigeria, with her foundation, The Tonto Dikeh Foundation, providing support, education, and shelter to underprivileged children and single mothers. “I’m still healing,” she admits, “but I’ve turned my pain into purpose.” Her story resonates with many who have suffered loss, and it stands as a powerful testimony to resilience, empathy, and the redemptive power of love.