The Wife of the Kogi Governor, Sefinat Ododo, has called for the implementation of stronger policies aimed at improving the lives and the rights of widows in Nigeria.
Ododo made the call in a message to mark the 2026 International Widows’ Day, with theme: “Widows in Africa: Perspective on Justice, Dignity, and Economic Power.”in Lokoja , on Tuesday.
NAN reports that the day is a United Nations ratified day of action to address the “poverty and injustice faced by millions of widows and their dependents in many countries”.
The day takes place annually on June 23.
Ododo called for an urgent reform that would guarantee widows greater legal recognition, safeguard their fundamental rights, and protect them from social and economic vulnerabilities.
“The strict legal frameworks prohibiting discriminatory cultural practices, as well as the effective enforcement of inheritance and property rights, are now more critical than ever in addressing the harsh realities faced by widows across the country,” she said.
The governor’s wife also identified economic empowerment as a key tool for restoring dignity and independence, advocating increased access to skills acquisition programmes, micro-credit facilities and sustainable employment opportunities for vulnerable women.
She emphasized the welfare of widows had remained her priority, adding that various empowerment programmes had been implemented to support them through cash grants, vocational training and other initiatives aimed at promoting self-reliance.
Ododo pledged to expand the interventions through her office and the Ohunene Empowerment Initiative (OEI) to ensure that more widows at the grassroots benefit from welfare and empowerment programmes.
She reaffirmed the commitment of the administration of Gov. Ahmed Ododo to policies and programmes that promote the safety, security and well-being of widows in Kogi.
She urged widows to be resilient and steadfast in supporting their families and communities.(NAN)
