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Mrs Imah Nsa Adegoke
By Akpan David, Calabar
Increasing number of widows in Cross River State are crying aloud over their continual dehumanisation and deprivation by late husbands’ families from inheriting husbands’ properties.
They want Cross River State Law number 10 of 2007 titled Female Persons Inheritance Property Law’ implemented to the letter so that they can be saved from the humiliation as protected
They are therefore taking their enlightenment campaign to the 18 LGAs, particularly the paramount rulers.
Their first port of call was the palace of Obong of Calabar, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V where, yesterday they got his fatherly support and prayer, cautioning that with the law, they can now make culprits to face the he law.
Coordinating trustee of the Foundation, Mrs Imah Nsa Adegoke said they were moving from one key traditional ruler to another, pleading with them to intervene in their plights, deprivation, outright dehumanisation in the hands of husbands’ families and blockade from inheriting husbands’ and fathers’ properties.
According to her, in some parts of the state, some widows are made to drink the water used in washing bodies of dead husbands; some chased out of husbands’ houses and blocked from inheriting husbands’ and fathers’ properties.
She said their number has increased astronomically due to incessant communal clashes in the state where husband who married three or four wives, for instance, is killed.
“Your Eminence, you are the traditional governor and father of not only the Efiks but much of the state. We need you principally, the elders and chiefs to lend your supports to this law; help create awareness of its existence, so that culprits should no longer be spared. We need the dignity of increasing number of widows to be restored in the state.
“This law can be a saving grace for women and importantly widows because it provides adequately for their protection. Even children born out of wedlock, once their fathers acknowledge them, this law protects them, too, from wicked stepmothers.
“We need this law to be implemented. It is not a Women Liberation thing.”
Responding, the Obong of Calabar commended the group for taking up the task which he highly commended. He assured that he would use his powers to enlighten and impress on other kings to implement the law.
He seriously frowned at attitude of men who cannot afford yet lust after and impregnant many women who deliver several children for them who are later left on the streets.
“I am happy for this law to be resurrected. It now strengthens us to talk to our people to refrain from randy behaviour; refrain from inhuman treatment and depravation of widows.
“We should all live well with our children and wives, so that in the event of our passing on, unity, love and peace will still persist in our homes, so that they don’t become public nuisance on the streets. If a man can afford it he may marry more wives but must ensure love and protection for them otherwise live within your means. Otherwise we will make sure that the effects of the law are visited on culprits.”
The Obong strongly advised that husbands should always settle any rifts amongst their wives and children whilst alive.
State coordinator of the group, Pastor Anthony Bassey disclosed that as at 2011, there were officially over 66,000 widows in parts of the state and that update is ongoing.
One of the widows and zonal coordinator, Chief Gloria Asuquo Francis lamented that when her husband, a police officer, died some eats ago, the family rejected the corpse and asked that except they have access to his pension his funeral will not hold.
She appealed that both federal and state governments should intervene in their plights.
