“Please Help Us, We Need Skills, Businesses To Survive” – Abia Widows Cry Out

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Abia Widows have called on the Abia State Government, particularly, the House of Assembly, to enact relevant legislations against harmful practices against widows.

This is even as the Wife of the State Governor, Mrs Priscilla Chidinma Otti, appealed to Traditional Rulers, Community leaders and other custodians of culture and traditions to be intentional and committed to the task of eradicating all forms of discriminatory practices against widows in the society.

The widows who spoke through the Abia Coordinator of their umbrella body, Widows International, WOI, Ezinne Nkechi Ezim, at the occasion of the investiture of Mrs Otti as its Grand Patron, in Aba on Sunday, December 8, 2024, regretted that the absence of laws and or their weak implementation have tended to work against efforts at eradicating the  maltreatment ,and abuse of widows, and other gender- based violence, GBV, in the society.

According to the WOI, widows and their children  are subjects of physical, sexual and psychological abuse that cut across lines of income, class and culture in both public and private lives.

“They face intimidation from their late husbands’ immediate family members. These are acts of violence which infringe on their human rights and fundamental freedom.

“Those groups of women require special attention .Lack of preventive and protective laws ,and lack of access to and or ineffective enforcement by public authorities of such laws where they exist ,only perpetuate and increase acts of violence against the widows and women in general.

“However, there remains the existence of rights, but their effective enjoyment especially by widows derives from the part of commitment by Government in promoting and protecting those rights,and the failure of Government will impact negatively on women and men alike”, Ezim noted.

The WOI further noted that  Abia state can follow the path already charted by Enugu and Anambra  ,in coming out with effective legislations against maltreatment of widows.

“We shall be happy to see Abia State’s own laws on the protection of widows ,if not in existence. But if in existence , let them be enforced”, the widows demanded.

They also called on  the Government to consider appointing a Special Adviser and Assistant on Widows Matters to help in projecting and protecting the rights and wellbeing of Widows.

“If the Federal Government could create a Ministry for Livestock, and appoint a Minister or some one in charge ,it will be worthwhile if a Special Adviser on Widows and Orphans is appointed .

“We appreciate the existence of Women Affairs Ministry. But we also know that no Government can carry the load of its widows and their children ,the journey should however start somewhere.

“WOI is a platform to identify real widows and reach out to them. Here we are. Please help us. Widows need soft loans, skill acquisitions and scholarships for their children.

“We are blessed and happy to have the first mother of the State here with us today ,not as one of us but as a protector, influencer, and guide.That is the reason for the investiture today as the first ever Grand Matron -the highest honorary award in the Organization.” Chief Mrs Ezim noted .

The wife of the Abia State Governor ,while responding, assured that, she will continue to collaborate with all relevant Government agencies, groups and individuals in the task of eradicating the challenges facing widows in the state ,as well as  gender based violence GBV .

Mrs Otti informed that she accepted with enthusiasm the appointment of the Grand Matron WOI because its philosophy is in tandem with her wider goal of eradicating all harmful practices against widows ,children and other vulnerable groups in the society .

The Governor’s wife noted that she is presently engaging traditional rulers, community leaders, and others on how to effectively fight GBV and other abuses being presently perpetrated against widows, women, Children and other vulnerable persons.

She reassured that Government, through the Ministry of Women Affairs is committed to  protecting and promoting the interests of not just widows ,but all other less privileged persons and groups.

Mrs Otti, emphasized the readiness of the state Government to equally assist the widows in realizing their full potentials ,despite their status .

To this end, she promised that Government  will continue to support them in their businesses and other positive  activities.

The Wife of the Abia state Governor. however, called on public spirited individuals, groups and organizations to identify with the struggle to create an enabling environment for widows to live meaningfully.

Earlier the convener and founder of WOI, Sir Alphonsus Udeigbo said the choice of Mrs Otti as the first Grand Matron of the organization was purely based on merit.

According to him, since the formation of WOI in 1987, nobody has been conferred with the position because it is not politically motivated.

Udeigbo informed that the WOI, decided to honour Mrs Otti based on the glaring evidences of general transformation that have taken place in Abia since. May 2023 .

“Before 2023 ,the widows prayed fervently across the state demanding positive change in the leadership .

“So what is happening now is God’s answered prayers. That is why the Widows have decided to appoint the wife of the Governor as their Grand Matron so that she will continue her good works”, Udeigbo stated.