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Int’l Widows’ Day: Foundation calls for legal, economic support for widows
Int’l Widows’ Day: Foundation calls for legal, economic support for widows
Lagos, June 23: A non-governmental organisation, Pa Philip Akintoye Development Foundation (PAPADEF), has called on the Federal Government to urgently review and amend laws that continue to harm widows across the country.
The Chief Executive Officer (CEO), PAPADEF, Mr Akintoye Festus, made the call in a statement on Monday in Lagos, to commemorate the International Widows’ Day.
The day, observed by the United Nations since 2011, is celebrated annually on June 23, to raise awareness about the challenges widows face and to push for their rights to be respected and protected.
Festus said that the theme for this year’s commemoration is, “Beyond Grief: Rebuilding Lives, Strengthening Communities, and Challenging Stigma.”
According to Festus, the theme calls for urgent attention to the many challenges widows face every day—especially in rural areas where harmful traditional practices remain common.
The PAPADEF CEO noted that many widows in Nigeria are suffering in silence due to outdated laws and cultural practices that deny them inheritance rights, economic opportunities, and protection.
Festus said that it was time to include widows in national development plans and policy-making processes.
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“Widows are part of our society — they are mothers, caregivers, and contributors to the economy. But many are treated unfairly and pushed aside.
“Many widows are treated unfairly after losing their husbands. Some are denied access to property, forced into harmful rituals, blamed for their husbands’ deaths, and pushed into poverty,” he said.
Festus noted that thousands of widows are left homeless, jobless, and in deep emotional distress after losing their husbands, with little or no legal support.
“Some widows are still being forced to undergo harmful traditional practices or blamed for their husbands’ deaths. These things must stop,” he said.
He described the situation as a hidden crisis, with millions of women suffering in silence.
Festus said that although there are between 15 and 21 million widows in Nigeria, many of them remain invisible in national planning, data collection, and public discourse.
He urged lawmakers to harmonise civil and customary laws, particularly around inheritance and property rights, to stop the cycle of abuse and neglect.
The PAPADEF CEO said that real change can only happen when widows are protected by law and empowered to rebuild their lives.
He stressed that widows are not weak or helpless—they are mothers, caregivers, farmers, teachers, and entrepreneurs who just need support to live in dignity.
“Widows are not looking for pity. They want the right to live freely, to earn a living, and to raise their children in peace,” Festus added.
Festus also encouraged the government to include widows in poverty alleviation programmes, job creation schemes, and health and social services.
He said: “No widow should be invisible in our development plans. Their voices matter, their lives matter.”
He explained that widows often face serious problems like loss of property, no access to healthcare or education, and are sometimes victims of violence or forced remarriage.
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Festus said that many widows are hardworking mothers, businesswomen, and caregivers but are often treated as if they do not exist.
“Widows are not invisible, and their pain should not be ignored. We must see them, hear them, and support them,” he added.
Festus advised that widows should be given economic help, such as business support and job training.
He called for the provision of mental health support, grief counseling and legal services, especially in rural areas.
He also recommended the inclusion of widows in leadership and policy-making roles.
The PAPADEF CEO also appealed to traditional and religious leaders to speak out against dehumanising widowhood practices and help build a more compassionate culture.
“Ending stigma starts with changing how we think and talk about widows. We need to listen to their stories and support their journeys,” Festus said.
He said that the foundation would continue to fight for widows and ensure no woman is left behind.
“Let this International Widows’ Day be more than a ceremony. Let it spark real change. We want a Nigeria where widows are not shamed or ignored, but respected and empowered,” he said.
PAPADEF, is an NGO working for women, children, and community development, and has supported over 500 widows in Nigeria through legal help, business training, health services, and mental health support.
Int’l Widows’ Day: Foundation calls for legal, economic support for widows
News
Akpabio sues Natasha for ₦200bn over sexual harassment allegations
Akpabio sues Natasha for ₦200bn over sexual harassment allegations
Senate President Godswill Obot Akpabio has instituted a ₦200 billion defamation lawsuit against Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, accusing her of spreading malicious sexual harassment allegations that he says have severely damaged his public image.
According to documents filed before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Akpabio is seeking substantial damages, public retractions, and nationwide broadcast apologies. He argues that Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan’s televised, radio, and online interviews portrayed him as a sexual predator who abused his office for personal gratification—claims he insists subjected him to widespread ridicule and reputational harm.
The lawsuit includes a comprehensive statement of claims and a list of witnesses. Akpabio is also asking the court to compel the removal of all online materials containing the disputed allegations and to order repeated public apologies across major media outlets.
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A court order issued on 6 November 2025 granted permission for substituted service through the Clerk of the National Assembly after initial attempts to reach Senator Akpoti-Uduaghan directly were unsuccessful. The case is now moving forward and is expected to become one of the most closely watched political legal battles in Nigeria.
Responding on 5 December 2025, Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan confirmed receipt of the suit and expressed readiness to defend her allegations before a competent court. She stated that she had previously been prevented from presenting a petition before the Senate Committee on Ethics and Privileges due to claims that a related case was already in court—an action she believes protected the Senate President from legislative scrutiny.
In a strongly worded response, the Kogi Central senator maintained that the court proceedings will finally provide the platform to substantiate her claims. She reiterated her stance that she experienced sexual harassment and that her refusal to comply with the alleged advances prompted sustained political retaliation.
“See you in court, Godswill Akpabio,” she declared.
Akpabio sues Natasha for ₦200bn over sexual harassment allegations
News
NLC threatens nationwide protests as insecurity worsens, withdraws support for Labour Party
NLC threatens nationwide protests as insecurity worsens, withdraws support for Labour Party
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has warned that it will no longer remain passive as criminal gangs intensify violent attacks across the country, declaring its readiness to hold a national day of mourning and mobilise nationwide protests over the escalating insecurity in Nigeria.
Speaking at the opening of the NLC’s National Executive Council (NEC) meeting in Lagos, NLC President Joe Ajaero said the country was “under siege,” condemning the latest school kidnapping and the reported withdrawal of security personnel before the attack. He demanded a full investigation to expose any possible compromise within the nation’s security architecture.
“The NLC cannot stand idly by and allow criminals to take over our country—never again. We want to know who ordered the withdrawal of security operatives from that school. We will not allow kidnappers and bandits to overrun our nation,” Ajaero said.
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He stressed that the labour movement would soon announce details of the planned protests and national mourning, insisting the lives of teachers, students and workers were in grave danger. “It is getting out of hand. We can no longer bear this,” he added.
Ajaero also revealed that the NLC had withdrawn its representatives from the Labour Party, accusing them of pursuing personal interests rather than representing workers.
Human rights lawyer Femi Falana, SAN, who addressed the meeting, warned that the country was in “serious trouble” over rising kidnappings and attacks. He rejected calls for foreign military intervention, cautioning that such a move would undermine Nigeria’s sovereignty.
Falana criticised recent statements by former U.S. President Donald Trump, describing them as unacceptable. He urged President Bola Tinubu to take decisive action to protect citizens, saying: “We want to let the world know that we are not a conquered people.”
He called on labour unions, civil society organisations and Nigerians to prepare to resist any further decline in national security.
NLC threatens nationwide protests as insecurity worsens, withdraws support for Labour Party
News
Boris Johnson Hails Kemi Badenoch as “Future UK Prime Minister” During Visit to Nigeria
Boris Johnson Hails Kemi Badenoch as “Future UK Prime Minister” During Visit to Nigeria
Former British Prime Minister Boris Johnson has praised UK Conservative Party leader Kemi Badenoch, describing her as a “future Prime Minister of the United Kingdom” during his visit to Nigeria for the Imo State Economic Summit 2025.
Speaking in Owerri, Imo State, on Thursday, Johnson commended Governor Hope Uzodimma for his efforts to boost economic development and improve security, noting that he felt “perfectly safe” despite earlier warnings about Nigeria’s security situation.
Johnson highlighted the state government’s push to deliver 24-hour electricity, stressing that reliable power and clean, sustainable energy are essential for economic growth as the world moves into an Artificial Intelligence (AI)-driven future.
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He also emphasized the strong historical and economic ties between Nigeria and the United Kingdom, praising the exchange of goods, services, and highly skilled professionals between both countries.
In a humorous remark that sparked applause, Johnson said: “We send you former UK prime ministers, and you send us future UK prime ministers in the form of Kemi Badenoch.”
The summit, attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, former UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, business mogul Aliko Dangote, and other top government and private-sector leaders, focused on strategies to accelerate Imo State’s economic transformation.
Boris Johnson Hails Kemi Badenoch as “Future UK Prime Minister” During Visit to Nigeria
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