Adebule seeks end to ‘wicked’ cultural practices against widows

Lagos State is stepping up measures to end deprivation, social and economic neglect experienced by vulnerable widows and their children in the state.

Idiat Adebule, the deputy governor stated this at an empowerment seminar for widows, on Friday, just as she called on the society to shun old cultural ‘wicked’ practices that dehumanise widows and deny them of their rights and inheritance.

Adebule, represented by Yetunde Odejayi, a permanent secretary, expressed concern over the plight of widows and the economic hardships they faced.

She said: “Bereavement is always a period of grief, sorrow, psychological trauma and sometimes despair. How relatives and the society in general react to it, especially in relation to widows and orphans, calls for concerns from all.

“The Lagos state government is committed to explore ways to minimise the hardships of widows and orphans in the state. We will continue to protect you and put in place policies and programmes that will benefit you.”

She urged Nigerians to do away with all forms of practices detrimental to widows and orphans.

Speaking also, Adefunmilayo Tejuosho, chairman, Lagos State House of Assembly committee on the judiciary, human rights and public petitions, challenged the widows to utilise free legal services provided by the state government to protect their rights and get justice.

“In Lagos state we have the office of the public defender, we also have the citizens mediation gate to help the less privileged such as widows and orphans in our society get speedy legal mediation,” she said.

Tejuosho also called on husbands to write and update their will periodically since no one knew when he would die.

“The society should welcome and embrace widows, while the government should start educating men to write their will for their families. This is imperative to forestall avoidable hardships for the family left behind in the event of death,” she said.

Omolola Salako, a consultant, radiation oncologist at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) educated widows on the need to embrace healthy lifestyle.

Lola Akande, commissioner, Lagos State commissioner for women affairs and poverty alleviation, also encouraged the widows to avail themselves of the various opportunities and empowerment programmes provided by the government.

“There are 17 vocational training centers in the state, where you can learn how to start up small businesses such as poultry, fish farming, making of earrings and necklaces, baking, hairdressing and tailoring and many others.

“The training is free of charge. Avail yourselves the opportunities to be self-dependent and self-reliant,” Akande said.