Rivers Plans New Widows Aid Scheme

The Rivers State Governor, Chief Nyesom Wike has  assured widows in the state that his administration  will  improve on their standard  of  living  through a new widows economic  empowerment  scheme.
Similarly, the wife of  the  governor, Justice Eberechi Suzzette Nyesom-Wike, advised widows to explore  the  option  of litigation  to protect their rights .
Speaking at  an event to mark the  2016 International  Widows Day in Port Harcourt, at the weekend, Wike stated that 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.
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 were yet to record any success 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 against widows in the state.
Earlier in her welcome address, the state Commissioner for Women Affairs, Ukiel Oyagiri, had noted that the 2016 International Widows Day celebration was 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”.