C' River First Lady Pledges Action for Widows ,Orphans Against Harmful Cultural Practices
By Ekanem Asuquo
The First Lady of Cross River State, Bishop (Mrs.) Eyoawan Otu, has reaffirmed the state government's unwavering commitment to combating the injustices faced by widows and orphans, often stemming from harmful cultural and religious practices.
Speaking through Mr. Geoffrey Agamade, Programme Manager of Humanity Without Borders, at the 2025 International Widows’ Day commemoration in Calabar, Mrs. Otu assured attendees that robust mechanisms are being activated to address societal discrimination and economic exploitation of these vulnerable groups.
"Our state is working assiduously to mitigate the multifaceted challenges confronting vulnerable widows and orphans in Cross River," the First Lady stated.
"We cannot afford to remain aloof while widows are subjected to dehumanizing treatments under the guise of cultural and religious practices."
Mr. Agamade further revealed that a dedicated database has been developed to support intervention programs aimed at fostering self-reliance and creating job opportunities for widows.
In her welcome address,Hon. Edema Irom, Commissioner for Women Affairs, decried the pervasive neglect and deprivation experienced by widows and orphans, particularly at the hands of “greedy and heartless in-laws.”
She passionately called for sustained awareness campaigns and the aggressive enforcement of existing protective laws, emphasizing, "Thankfully, we have laws specifically crafted to protect spouses in the event of death. What remains is aggressive enforcement and advocacy."
In her remarks,Mrs. Uduak Spencer, President of the Unified Widows Foundation, lauded the First Lady's steadfast support, highlighting various economic initiatives that have positively impacted the lives of vulnerable widows and street children. "We are deeply grateful to the governor and his dear wife for their tremendous assistance and for prioritizing the welfare of widows and vulnerable children," Spencer remarked.
Also speaking, Akpevwe Okuse of Her Voice Foundation condemned the severe ordeals suffered by widows and orphans, stressing the critical need for collective societal efforts to eradicate such inhumane treatment. "Our core mission is to amplify the voices of the vulnerable and draw urgent attention to their plight," she affirmed.
In their goodwill messages, former Commissioner for Women Affairs, Rev. Mrs. Grace Ekanem, urged the government to introduce vocational training programs to empower widows with financial independence. Other speakers, including Ndodeye Bassey, Programme Manager of Girls Power Initiative, and Roslyn Otu-Amgrafunu, advocated for robust multi-stakeholder collaboration and stringent enforcement of relevant laws to curb abuses.
Meanwhile, the Cross River chapter of the Federation of Female Lawyers (FIDA) announced it would offer free legal services to widows and orphans unjustly deprived of their inheritance.
FIDA Chairperson Affiong Onung Esq assured that this pro bono initiative aims to assist financially disadvantaged individuals in seeking justice and protecting their rights through the courts.
The International Widow's Day celebration in Cross River State, themed "Orphans in Need," was facilitated by UN Women.
