By Eme Offiong, Calabar
Widows and orphans have been assured that the government is committed to closing social and economic gaps through targeted policies aimed at empowerment and support.
The First Lady of Cross River State in southern Nigeria, Eyoanwan Otu gave the assurance during the celebration of the 2025 International Widowhood Day in Calabar, the state capital.
Mrs. Otu, who acknowledged the injustices most widows and orphans face due to harmful cultural and religious practices, said that the government was taking steps to end discrimination and exploitation of widows and orphans.
Speaking through the Programme Manager of Humanity Without Borders (HUWIB), Jeffrey Adamade, stated, “the government is working assiduously to mitigate the multifaceted challenges confronting vulnerable widows and orphans in Cross River.
“We cannot afford to remain aloof, while widows are subjected to dehumanising treatments under the guise of cultural and religious practices,” the wife of the governor stressed.
She hinted that Cross River State has compiled a dedicated database as a guide for the implementation of intervention programmes aimed at enhancing economically empowering widows with entrepreneurial skills.
Also speaking at the occasion, Commissioner for Women Affairs, Edema Irom noted that some widows and orphans suffer severe neglect and deprivation at the hands of “greedy and heartless in-laws.”
She urged other stakeholders particularly civil society organisations and faith based associations in the state to join in the fight through sustained awareness campaigns that would guarantee effective implementation of protective laws already in existence.
“Thankfully, we have laws specifically crafted to protect spouses in the event of death. What remains is aggressive enforcement and advocacy,” she emphasized.
In a remark, the President of the Unified Widows Foundation, Mrs. Uduak Spencer, expressed appreciation to the wife of the Cross River State governor for her support to widows since assumption of the current administration.
Spencer, while highlighting the different economic initiatives that have impacted the lives of widows, orphans and street children, said “we are deeply grateful to the governor and his dear wife for their tremendous assistance and prioritising the welfare of widows and vulnerable children.”
A Stakeholder, Akpevwe Okuse of Her Voice Foundation said that her organisation would continue in its core mission, which is to amplify the voices of the vulnerable and draw urgent attention to their plight.
Other speakers such as a former Commissioner for Women Affairs and ex-President of the National Council of Women Societies, Reverend Grace Ekanem, urged the Cross River State government to introduce more vocational training programmes to help widows gain financial independence.
Similarly, the Programme Manager of Girls Power Initiative, Ndodeye Bassey, and Roslyn Otu-Amgrafunu, advocated for multi-stakeholder collaboration and strict enforcement of existing and relevant laws to curb abuses.
FIDA involvement
Meanwhile, the Cross River State chapter of the Federation of Female Lawyers (FIDA) has offered free legal services to widows and orphans unjustly deprived of their inheritance.
The FIDA Chairperson, Affiong Onung, assured that the pro bono initiative aimed at assisting financially disadvantaged individuals in seeking justice and protecting their rights through the courts.
The International Widow’s Day celebration in Cross River State themed the Orphans in Need was facilitated by the UN Women.