Governor Wike Begins Widows Empowerment Policy

A press statement from the state government house. Read below:

Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Ezenwo Wike has assured widows in the state that his administration will improve on their standard of living through a new widows economic empowerment scheme.

Also, the wife of the governor, Justice Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike advised widows to explore the option of litigation to protect their rights .

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Speaking at an event to mark the 2016 International Widows Day in Port Harcourt, on Friday, Governor Wike stated his administration will always protect the rights of widows.

Represented by the Secretary to the Rivers State Government, Chief Kenneth Kobani, the governor said that "Government is considering to set up widows economic empowerment scheme, Which essentially would be instituted to alleviate the poverty or dangers of extreme poverty after the demise of their dear husbands’’.

He explained that the new scheme would assist the widows pick up their lives as bread winners of their respective families.

Governor Wike called on widows and concerned Non-Governmental Organizations to join hands with the State Government to work for the complete abolition of dehumanizing widow practices in the State.

He said this will be achieved through through prevention, participation, promotion and protection strategies to end the said barbaric practices.

In her remarks, wife of the Rivers State Governor, Justice Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike decried the situation where the laws made by the State House of Assembly to check harmful widowhood practices is yet to record successes due to lack of awareness.

She appealed to Religious leaders, Traditional Rulers, NGOs, Companies as well as well-meaning citizens to join hands to advocate for the eradication of obnoxious practices in the State.

Earlier, in her welcome address, the State Commissioner for Women Affairs, Ukiel Oyagiri noted that the 2016 International Widows Day Celebration is a United Nations ratified day of action to address poverty and injustice faced by widows in the world.

The Theme of the 2016 International Widows Day Celebration is ‘’Invisible Women , Invisible Problems’’ .

Simeon Nwakaudu,

Special Assistant to the Rivers State Governor, Electronic Media.

1st July, 2016.

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