By Ijeoma Agbafo
The Wife of the Kogi State Governor, Mrs Sefinat Ododo, has called for stronger policies to improve the welfare of widows and protect their rights in Nigeria.
Ododo made the call on Tuesday in Lokoja in a message to mark the 2026 International Widows’ Day, themed: “Widows in Africa: Perspective on Justice, Dignity, and Economic Power”.
She urged the government and relevant stakeholders to implement reforms that would guarantee widows greater legal recognition, protect their inheritance and property rights, and eliminate discriminatory cultural practices.
The governor’s wife also stressed the need for economic empowerment through skills-acquisition programmes, microcredit facilities, and employment opportunities to help widows achieve self-reliance and dignity.
She said her office and the Ohunene Empowerment Initiative (OEI) had continued to support widows through cash grants, vocational training, and other welfare programmes, pledging to expand the interventions to reach more beneficiaries.
Ododo reaffirmed the commitment of Gov. Ahmed Ododo’s administration to policies that promote the safety, security, and well-being of widows, while urging them to remain resilient in supporting their families and communities.
