Abia vows to protect widows’ right to inherit land
The wife of Abia State Governor, Mrs Priscilla Otti, has said the state government will back all laws enacted to protect the rights of widows and their children to inherit landed property in the state upon the demise of their spouses.
Mrs Otti gave the assurance at an event to commemorate the 2024 International Widows Day celebration held in Umuahia, the state capital.
A statement made available to PUNCH Online on Thursday stated that the theme of this year’s event was titled; “Land Rights For Widows.”
The statement added that Mrs Otti was represented by the wife of the Deputy Governor, Mrs Adaeze Emetu, who expressed plans to support indigent widows through microfinance loans, healthcare services, skill development and vocational training, computer literacy programs, adult education, cooperatives and legal assistance among others.
She said, “As a government, we will be contributing our part in supporting about 500 indigent widows in the first instance through initiatives that shall be implemented to provide assistance and ameliorate poverty.”
The governor’s wife also condemned all obnoxious widowhood practices, adding that her office is always open and ready to protect the right of widows under compulsion to engage in unwholesome practices to mourn their spouses.
Mrs Otti also distributed food items and empowered 51 indigent women drawn out from the 17 LGA of the state with cash to start their businesses and others with food items.
In her address, the state Commissioner for Women’s Affairs and Poverty Alleviation, Mrs Ngozi Felix, encouraged widows not to lose hope, adding that the state government will continue to build a future where all widows can live with dignity, security, and hope.
She explained that the International Widows Day celebration is meant to encourage action in achieving full rights for widows.
She said, “The ultimate goal of the day is to develop resources and policy to empower widows and allow them to have access to education, work, healthcare and lives free of violence and abuse following the death of their husband.”
The keynote speaker, Chibuzo Ehiemere, advised women to understand the type of marriage they are contracted to and marry under the law.
This, she explained, will accord widows the full right as enshrined in the law without anybody denying them their right. Ehiemere also appealed to the public to ensure that widows are supported and protected within the ambit of the law.
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