The wife of Abia State governor, Priscilla Otti has unveiled her plans for 500 indigent widows in the state, urging both individuals and the society to empathise with widows.

Mrs Otti announced this during the commemoration of the 2024 International Widows’ Day with the theme, “Land Rights For Windows” in Umuahia, the state capital.

“The package include microfinance loans, healthcare services, skill development and vocational training, computer literacy programmes, adult education, cooperatives and legal assistance among others,” she said.

Represented by the wife of the deputy governor, Adaeze Emetu, the first lady noted that the present administration in the state was ready to partner with individuals and organisations to bring succour to widows.
Condemning obnoxious practices against widows, she said her office was open and ready to protect the right of any widow under compulsion to engage in unwholesome practices to mourn her spouse.

The first lady used the opportunity to empower 51 indigent widows selected from the 17 local government areas of the state and to distribute food items to other widows.

Speaking with LEADERSHIP Weekend, one of the beneficiaries, Lucy Otuechere commended Mrs Otti for her compassion for widows, saying her interventions would go a long way to ameliorate their hardship.