Imo: Widow Okechi & A First Lady’s Intervention

By Charles Igbo

The story of this widow is one of those stories that break the heart.

Her name is Mrs  Ifeyinwa Okechi. A native of Ihitte-Ukwa Orsu, Imo State, she is a mother of five children – four boys and a girl.

Nobody would have known about her but for the inexplicable cruelty of her brother-in-law towards her.

It is not known how old she is, but her photograph which accompanied the viral video which told her story showed she is quite young – perhaps, in her late 30’s or early 40’s.

No matter.

Like most women, her world came to an end, literally, the day her husband died. Given how difficult the country is, it is bad enough to be widowed at a young age, with five children, but it is hell when such a widow is saddled with a brother-in-law from hell.

That was the fate of Mrs Okechi.

According to her, her brother-in-law, as soon as her husband died, felt she had no other business with, and in the family. He asked her to leave, even when she had five children for her husband. Nobody told her why she was no longer a member of the family just because she had become a widow.

Was she responsible for her husband’s death? In Igboland, such allegations are common. Once a man dies, his wife becomes a suspect. She becomes an outcast, so to say. The allegation that such a wife must have had a hand in her husband’s death, worsens the agony, and pain, and loss. It is like a stigma.

Mrs Okechi’s fate was worse than that. Her brother-in-law sent her packing from the house she shared with her husband and children. And closed down her shop. When she went back to the village with her children, she suffered a worse faith.

One morning, her brother-in-law struck like thunder, lightning and a bad storm. He pulled down, to its very foundation, the house which she and her children called home. Gone with the house was everything she called property – including clothings, foam, beddings, cooking utensils.

When she came back, her house was like where a hurricane  swept through. Everything was inside out and upside down.

Devastated, and in shock, she stood in front of what was her home and wept. She stood there lamenting and bemoaning her fate. And she had a lot to lament about.

Where was she going to sleep with her children? Where was the next meal going to come from? In which and/or whose kitchen was she even going to cook the next meal?

Her lamentations touched a good Nigerian who decided to video her. She told her story. A story of pain. A story of agony. A story of homelessness. She asked for help. Help for Where she and her children could put their heads down at night and sleep. And the video went viral.

Nigerians, and especially, Imolites, who saw and listened to her story, were outraged.

One of those outraged and concerned  was the wife of the Governor of Imo State, Mrs Chioma Uzodimma, a Lawyer. As soon she heard the story and watched the video, she took immediate action.

The video went viral on June, 27, 2021. And, by June 30, 2021, the Imo First Lady had taken charge, and care of the situation. She provided a furnished accommodation, and cash. Other things, would follow, including finding a permanent solution  to her problem with her cruel brother-in-law.

In a release by Mrs Uzodimma’s office, she sued for peace and calm. And promised justice.

The release reads:

“Her Excellency, Barr. Mrs. Chioma Uzodimma, through the Ministry of Women Affairs and Vulnerable Groups, promptly intervened in the case of a widow, Mrs. Ifeyinwa Okechi, who hails from Ihitte Ukwa, Orsu LGA., whose house was destroyed by her brother-in-law, and was rendered homeless.

“The widow, Mrs. Ifeyinwa Okechi, who has five children (Four girls and a boy), was immediately provided with a conducive accommodation fully paid for by Her Excellency Barr. Mrs. Chioma Uzodimma.

“Okechi was also given financial palliative to enable her cater for herself and children during the period of her stay.

“A complaint has been properly filed on the matter which will be thoroughly investigated to find a lasting solution.

“This gesture is to further reiterate the commitment and determination of her Excellency Barr. Mrs. Chioma Uzodimma, in ensuring the welfare of women, children, and vulnerable groups in the state.

“Imo First Lady appreciates everyone who has, in one way or another, reached out to Mrs. Okechi and her children.

“She prayed that God will reward and replenish them abundantly.

“It is pertinent to note that the ummunna and community leadership has weighed into the matter and has mandated the brother-in-law of Mrs. Ifeyinwa Okechi to finish an uncompleted building which previously was being constructed by the widow’s late husband.

“The Woman Affairs/Widowhood department in the Ministry of Women affairs and vulnerable groups will follow  this matter to its logical conclusion.

Mrs. Ifeyinwa Okechi was all smiles as she profusely thanked Imo First Lady for her gift of love while she made plans to immidiately move into her apartment with her children.

“Commissioner for Women affairs, Lady Nkechinyere Ugwu, was accompanied by Hon. Uchenna Osigwe, TC Chairman of Orsu LGA, Mrs Ijeoma Onyebuagu, President NCWS Orsu  LGA, Mrs Chinwe Nwokeji and several staff of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Vulnerable Groups.”

Imo has been lucky with its First Ladies on this score.

Lady Ebere Ihedioha, during her tenure as Imo First Lady, was on top of such situations. She provided accommodation, and picked the bills of such vulnerable people. And so did Mrs Nkechi Okorocha who built a number of houses for widows.

In the instant case, not a few people are asking Mrs Uzodimma to do more. They want her to follow the case of Mrs Okechi bumper to bumper. They want her to see to the prosecution of her  brother-in-law. They want him to face the law. And, in addition, they want him not only to tender a public apology to the widow so humiliated, but to write an undertaking to leave her absolutely alone, and to be held responsible if anything untoward happens to her,  or any of her children.

That, they say, would act as a deterrent to such cruel in- laws.