Lawyer Wants Social Security For Widows

Human rights lawyer Gabriel Giwa-Amu has called for better social security for widows and the less privileged in the country.

Giwa-Amu, who made the call in an interview with newsmen in Lagos said federal and state governments should introduce better welfare packages for widows and the less privileged.

He said that such intervention would help curb crime.

“We should assist widows for them to be able to take care of their children so that they do not become a problem to the society.

“Poverty breeds crime and it is the duty of government and well-meaning people to help the poor particularly the widows,’’ Giwa-Amu said.

He said that as part of his contributions to the welfare of the less privileged he had been providing free legal services to them.

“In conjunction with some Christian organisations such as the Knight of St. Mulumba, Lekki, Sub-council and City Gate Foundation, Benin City, we have facilitated the release of 1,805 indigent children from prisons,’’ Giwa-Amu said.

He noted that many women, who lost their husbands, had turned into beggars because their husband’s estate had been taken away from them.

The lawyer criticised the practice in some parts of the country where widows are subjected to all forms of inhuman treatment by the family of their husbands.

“Their rights as wives should be protected by the government and the society,’’ he said.