Abia pledges to protect widows inheritance rights

The wife of the Abia State Governor, Mrs Priscilla Otti, has said the state will continue to protect the right of widows and vulnerable women to inherit landed properties in
order to enable them to be strong economically, which will further enhance their standard of living.

Mrs Otti spoke on Wednesday during an event to mark the 2025 International widows day in Umuahia the state capital.

The Abia first lady who was represented by the wife of the Deputy Governor Mrs Adaeze Emetu, stated that the theme of this year’s celebration “Beyond reason rebuilding lives, strengthening communities and challenging stigma”, was timely as it sought to address the numerous economic and social problems which can erode their dignity and potential of many widows.

Mrs Otti noted that despite the huge challenges faced by widows, they can be a shining light to the society if their potentials are properly harnessed, which will further enable them to contribute meaningfully to their varous communities.

She said, “We have remained committed to supporting our widows through initiatives that provide economic empowerment, social protection, and psychological support.

“As wife of the governor, I have consistently condemned harmful widowhood practices including denial to inheritance right of landed properties.My office will remain open to protecting widows.

“The state government is poised at recognizing the challenges of widows in the state and to ensure that measures are put in place to ameliorate those challenges and give them a sense of belonging.”

She encouraged the widows present to remain strong and resilient, assuring them of government support at all times .

The Governor’s wife further commended the Commissioner for Ministry of Poverty alleviation and social protection, Mrs Ngozi Blessing Felix for her efforts in making the event a reality and equally assured her of constant government support to the ministry.

In her address, Felix emphasized the need to always look out for widows who always suffer untold hardship due to neglect.

She revealed that the ministry of Poverty alleviation and social protection was established by Dr Alex Otti on August 15, 2024 with the core mandate of implementing evidence based policies and programs aimed at poverty alleviation and socioeconomic development with a particular focus on most vulnerable groups within our society Which includes persons with disability,the aged and most especially indigent widows.

Felix lauded Mrs Priscilla Otti for her dedication ,commitment, and humanitarian support towards uplifting the life of the most downtrodden and vulnerable in the state, particularly widows and vulnerable women.

“We are driven with the fundamental principle of leaving no one behind, aligning our efforts with the United Nations sustainable development goal to build a society that protects, promotes and improves the well being of all citizens and residents of Abia state”, she said.

She pointed that widows especially the poor face very difficult challenges including economic hardship, social stigma and limited access to essential resources and therefore the International widows day provides the crucial platform to raise awareness about those challenges and advocate for the right and empowerment of widows and work together to find solutions to enable them live in dignity and security.

“This year’s theme ‘Beyond reason rebuilding lives, strengthening communities and challenging stigma’ according to her captures the commitment to an all inclusive approach acknowledging the pain and the loss that widowhood brings while at same time focus on empowering widows to rebuild their lives and often combating the stigma they often face.

She further called on civil societies, governments, and individuals to create more just and equitable societies where widows can thrive.

“Recognizing these vulnerabilities and challenges faced by widows in Abia state the ministry of Poverty alleviation and social protection in partnership with the office of the first lady is fully committed in empowering them and ensuring their well being.

Mrs Patience Udonsi a retired civil service who is also a widow for 12 years during her lecture thanked the governor and his wife for their numerous good works in the state most especially as it concerns widows and vulnerable women who are often times stigmatized and neglected.

She advised her fellow widows to always be strong and never allow their status to limit them in living a good life and bettering themselves in order to be worthy members of the society.

Highlights of the event include special dance presentations by some of the widows,free medical check-ups, and presentation of cash gifts to the widows present .