The Nation Newspaper

Tag: widow

  • Governors’ wives team up for widows

    Governors’ wives team up for widows

    WIDOWHOOD gloom may be about to lift in the Southeast and Southsouth. But that is because the wives of the state governors are pooling resources together to put women who lost their spouses out of despair.

    The wife of anambra State governor, Mrs Margaret Obi, her counterparts in Cross River, Mrs Obioma Liyel-Imoke, and Akwa Ibom, Mrs Ekaette Akpabio are collaborating to end widowhood misery.

    They met at a summit initiated by Mrs Liyel-Imoke who is also founder and board chair of Partnership Opportunities for Women Empowerment Realization (POWER).

    The summit was in commemoration of the International Widows’ Day.

    In 2011, the United Nations designated June 23 every year as the official date for the celebration.

    Mrs Akpabio hosted the event whose theme was “Louder Please, A call for Increased Advocacy Action and Interventions on Widows Rights in Nigeria”.

    The women drew attention to the indignities and injustices millions of widows’ experience in the country.

    The summit also advocated practical steps to curb obnoxious traditional practices widows are subjected to due to the death of their spouses.

    The roll call at the event was impressive as every segment of society was represented. The occasion was chaired by the House Committee Chairman on Women Affairs, Senator Helen Esuene, while the Honourable Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development Hajiya Zainab Maina delivered a keynote address.

    The Minister made it clear that improvement of the situation of Nigerian widows would largely depend on how Nigerians respond to their plight.

    Other distinguished personalities at the event included Speakers of state Houses of Assembly, Chief Judges of the representative states, Commissioners for Women Affairs and traditional rulers as well as representatives of widows associations from various states in the Southeast and Southsouth. Some delivered papers.

    The summit also provided opportunities for the governors’ wives to account for their stewardship in their widowhood interventionist activities in their states.

    Papers presented at the event, amongst many others included; “An Overview of Widowhood Issues in Nigeria” by the guest speaker, Mr. Hauwa Shekarau, National Vice President, FIDA, and “The Role of Traditional Institution in Upholding the Rights of Widows”, delivered by Dr Etim Okon Edet, paramount ruler of Bakassi and Chairman, Cross River State Traditional Rulers Council.

    Other papers included: ”The Role of the Church in Protection of Widows Rights”, “The Role of the Legislature in Advancing Widows Rights”, “The Role of The Judiciary in Ensuring Justice for Widows’ Rights Violation”.

    President of the widows’ association, Cross River Chapter, hoped the summit would restore the dignity of widows and thanked Mrs Liyel-Imoke for her Giving Life Options to Widows (GLOW) initiative.

    An 18-point communiqué was issued at the end of the two-day summit at which observations were made and palliatives recommended to ameliorate widows’ plight in the society.

    One of the highlights of the communique was that men should write wills that state clearly how their property should be shared in the event of death and also make effort to update their employment, insurance and other relevant records to reflect their spouse as their next-of-kin.

    They also urged the legislative arm of government to review the current laws protecting widows and make them more biting against offenders.

    Traditional rulers who are the custodians of our culture were also urged to review all traditional practices that subject widows to indignity.

    The called on all relevant stakeholders to join forces in addressing the issues of widowhood by putting in place a development intervention for widows, opportunities.

    The summit emphasised, among others, the need for the establishment of transit shelter for widows in crisis and other among others.

     

  • ‘I’ll empower widows, aged, others’

    f there is one thing that gives the lawmaker representing Oshodi-Isolo 11 constituency at the Lagos state House of Assembly, Hon. Omowunmi Olatunji-Edet joy most, it is putting smiles on the faces of the less privileged and needy in the society.

    And that is why she is dedicating the celebration of her 40th birthday which comes up on August 15 to reach out to widows, the aged, youths, less privileged, needy, orphanages and motherless babies homes in her constituency.

    Omowunmi-Edet disclosed this to reporters in her office at the Assembly complex on Friday while intimating them with programmes lined up to celebrate her birthday on August 14 and 15

    According to her, “It has always been my duty to put smiles on peoples faces but I want this one to be different, it is going to be a landmark because I am looking forward to how I can affect more lives; to empower both the widows, aged, down trodden, youths, destitutes, politicians who are feeling aggrieved because of neglect over the years. Those are the type of people that will benefit from my empowerment programme on that day which will be mind blowing”, she said.

    The lawmaker is also planning sporting events and competition for the youths, “I feel it is going to bring smiles and joy to the youths, they are going to engage in a lot of sporting events and competition across the wards in my constituency and winners will be awarded beautiful packages and cash gift”, she said.

    “I will also give out start-up kits to people that have learnt some skills like hair dressing, tailoring etc. Kits like dryers, clippers, generators, sewing machines, pop-corn machines, recharge card printing machines etc. And for others who want to engage in trade like the mothers I have packages for them like deep freezers, fridge etc,”she said.

    During her 39th birthday last year she gave out things to about 150 people “but this time around I want the number to be more than that. It will cut across all the wards and all political parties”, she said.

    Omowunmi-Edet who is also an ordained pastor will use the occasion to launch two of the books she has just written; ‘Shaping of the Amazon’ and ‘Casting stone’ and also round it up with a thanksgiving service and visit to orphanage and motherless baby home.

    Speaking about ‘Casting stone’, she said it is all about how to strengthen those who are weak in the society.

    She said she would want people to remember her as a problem solver, “God created me for a purpose and that purpose is what I am here to fulfil as a child of God”, she said.

    Speaking on her achievements as a lawmaker, Omowunmi-Edet who is doing a second term said she has been able to sustain all the programmes she started and bringing relief to so many people and this means reducing the poverty ratio.

    She has also among other things used her position in the House to bring about government presence in infrastructure in her constituency like Ago Palace Way rehabilitation, Cele bridge, Ajao Estate link yto Ejigbo, dualisation of Ibe road, Amuwo- Ago Palace Way etc. “So many water infrastructure here and there, projects that Lagos state is doing because we have a speaking member who is ready to fight for the need of the people”, she said.

    “By the time I leave the Assembly I want to stand tall and say Omowunmi Olatunji passed through this legislative House and affected lives of people”, she said.

     

  • My man’s sisters are against our union because I’m a widow with child

    Please ma, I need help on this: I am 29 and also a widow with a male child, but I am into a relationship with a guy who is an orphan. We love each other; the problem at hand now is his maternal sisters. They said that we can’t marry because I lost my man and have a child. I’ve asked the guy to go, he refused and said if I love him I won’t leave him, that he’s going to join a secret cult if I leave him. Ma, help me out, I am confused.

     

    If your man’s sisters are Christians, let him direct them to this Bible verse: “So I counsel younger widows to marry, to have children, to manage their homes and to give the enemy no opportunity for slander.” – 1 Timothy 5:14 

    And they are Muslims, let them know that in Islam, widows have a right to re-marry. There is nothing wrong with it. The majority of the women that the Messenger of Allah (pbuh) married were widows.

    So, if God says widows should remarry, is it not somebody’s brother or father they would marry? And that you have a child makes it even better, at least, they know that you’re not barren. So, if he marries you, before long, you would have kids running around the house with your first child playing big brother or sister. What’s their stress?  Common, leave them and face your guy. That’s the person we have to talk to. If he’s ready to marry you, he should just go ahead and do so. He doesn’t have to take his sisters along to pay your dowry if they won’t come with him. Get the blessings of your parents and start a good life. Those going into second marriages, including widows do not need a big wedding anyway. So, just do it right.

    One word for your man though – he should stop this threat of cultism, it’s not healthy. He should learn to make you reason with him even on other things without resorting to threats.

  • Gbenga Adeboye’s widow, battles hard times

    Gbenga Adeboye’s widow, battles hard times

    LARA Adeboye, rememeber her? She is the widow of the late ace broadcaster, Gbenga Adeboye, aka Funwontan. Sources informed us that Lara is now a shadow of herself and seems to have fallen on hard times.

    After the demise of her hubby, she was romantically linked with Lukmon Ajuwon, the Chairman of National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, in Ajuwon, Iju – a Lagos suburb. And things were definitely taking shape for her, until she fell out with her lover boy.

    It was widely reported that she got married to a civil servant in Abeokuta, but all that seems to have gone awry too as sources revealed that she is now back in Lagos and things are not really rosy for her again.

  • Oshiomhole resettles widow

    Oshiomhole resettles widow

    Succour has come the way of an 85-year-old widow, Esther Osagiator, who lost her home to the Edo State government’s drive to beautify Benin-City, the state capital. Governor Adams Oshiomhole gave her N2m to secure an accommodation.

    The ongoing urban renewal projects of the Edo State government have resulted in the demolition of many illegal structures in Benin-City, and its environs. Many buildings on right of way have been pulled down to pave the way for construction of an adequate drainage system, especially at the Upper Lawani-Upper Mission axis.

    At the popular Five Junction along the Ugbowo-Lagos Road where a ring road is being constructed, Governor Oshiomhole ordered that some buildings that are ‘not befitting the beautification of the area’ be pulled down.

    Among the buildings affected was a 24-room apartment belonging to the husband of Esther, Ekeviobor Osagiator who is now deceased. He was buried in one of the rooms in accordance to his instructions.

    Esther Osagiator, who spoke through one of her daughters, Patience Iyamu said they were not given any prior notice before their house was demolished.

    She said the governor told them that their houses were built with mud and are no longer fit to stand as their presence will disfigure the newly-constructed five junctions.

    Governor Oshiomhole, however, said the N2m offered to the widow was a palliative measure to enable her to rent an apartment.

    He further explained that in offering the fund to the widow, the government was considering whether to buy the land over or pay for the demolished building.

    He noted that if the demolished building was paid for, the woman would have to erect a modern structure on the land to complement the beautification exercise.

    The governor, who described the house as an illegal structure, however pointed out that the value of the demolished house would not be enough to erect a building that would complement the beautification of the five junctions.

    He gave the woman an option to allow government buy over the land and she would be given a land and money that would enable her to build a house in another area.

    The widow earlier insisted on not leaving the final resting place of her husband but after interaction with the governor, she said she would consult her children over the matter.

  • Widow, 52, battles leg cancer

    Widow, 52, battles leg cancer

    Thirty-two-years after her marriage crashed, another major problem is staring her in the face. she risk losing one of her legs to cancer, if she does not get urgent financial assistance for surgery.

    Mrs Ololade Motunrayo Adegbenle (52), is lying critically ill at her Iyana Ipaja, Lagos home, where she is nursing a six-year-old leg injury.

    All these years, she has struggled to raise N700, 000 for surgery on the troubled leg. But as hard as she tried, help is not forthcoming. She prays and fast everyday, that one day, a helper would come.

    Her travail began in 1981, following the crash of her marriage. Her husband left her with their only child, who is now 31.

    After living for many years in Kaduna, where she lost her property and other valuables to the incessant crises in that city, she returned to Lagos in 2007 with her only child. Her plan was to start afresh until another problem reared its head.

    She took to menial jobs to pay for her child’s education. At a time, she was a housemaid and a casual worker on different construction sites.

    Mrs Adegbenle’s dream for a better life began to fade few years after her return when she narrowly escaped death on a commercial motorcycle on May 11, 2007 on Dopemu-Agege Road.

    Before the mishap, the Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State-born woman hawked ‘pure’ water on Oshodi-Sango Road. She had an accident while trying to eke out a living as water vendor.

    Reliving her ordeal yesterday, she said: “Some years after I separated from my husband in 1981, I went to stay in Kaduna. I also trained as a nurse and worked in some hospitals. I came back to stay permanently in Lagos because the problems in the North were too many. I lost many things.

    “On May 11, 2007 along Dopemu-Agege Road, I had an accident on Okada while going to buy some bags of pure water with which I made ends meet. After the accident, I first went to the General Hospital, Orile-Agege, where the injury was treated. To my surprise, many months after the treatment, the injury festered. I took many drugs in the hope that it would heal, but it was to no avail. I went back to the hospital where I was referred to Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja, for more examination and treatment. There I was told that the injury had developed to chronic leg cancer in my medical report.”

    At the infirmary, she was told that she needed surgery which would cost N450, 000 excluding drugs and post-medical treatment. The cost of her treatment was put at N700, 000. She has to buy some antibiotics and pain-relieving drugs to ease her condition pending the surgery.

    “At first, I was struggling to buy the drugs,” she recalled, adding: “Now, I can no longer afford them because the sickness has affected my movement. I now live at the mercy of people and my son who does menial jobs to provide for both of us. I have not been receiving treatment for some time now owing to lack of money. When it was getting more difficult to feed, I started selling ‘pure’ water again at motor parks despite my condition.”

    Her condition has become so pathetic that her relations, who had been assisting her, have stopped because of lack of money.

    “I have not been able to raise anything tangible because I spend most of the money I get on drugs and food. Now, I have been served eviction notice where I currently live. Now, I don’t know where else to turn for help. I really need assistance from well-meaning Nigerians so that I can live a normal life and be able to get back to my work.”

    Princess Olubukola Fasuyi, the President of Lady of Africa Empowerment and Advocacy Foundation, a non-governmental organisation, is championing her case.

    The foundation, she said, would ensure that Mrs Adegbenle gets medical assistance.

    “We plead with Nigerians to help Motunrayo out of her sickness. The Foundation alone cannot do it. We need the support of every one,” she said.”

    She gave the woman’s First Bank help account number as: 3065983617; name: Adegbenle Ololade Motunrayo, adding that prospective helpers could reach her through the foundation’s mobile line 08093287614.

  • Tai Solarin’s widow Sheila dies at 88

    Tai Solarin’s widow Sheila dies at 88

    Humanist and co-founder of Mayflower School in Ikenne, Ogun State, Mrs Sheila Solarin, died yesterday. She was 88.

    The wife of the late educationist and activist, Dr. Tai Solarin, passed on at the Babcock University Teaching Hospital (BUTH), Ilisan, Ogun State of osteoporosis (weak bone).

    She co-founded the famous school with her husband in 1956.

    Last July, the late Mrs Solarin underwent a surgery at the hospital, following a domestic accident that left her with a broken hip.

    “She fell down in her room in July and suffered a broken hip. She was then taken to the teaching hospital where she was diagnosed with osteoporosis . She died at exactly 4:30pm and her remains have been taken to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH).”

    The late Dr. Solarin’s twin brother’s daughter, Mrs Alake Sobo, confirmed the late Mrs Solarin’s death. She said her two children were at her bedside before she breathed as last.

    Mrs. Sobo said: “Despite the fact that Mrs. Solarin was not a Nigerian by birth, she remained committed to the country and always wished that a day would come when every child of school age will have free access to quality education.

    “We will greatly miss her. I wish she stayed longer but God knows best.”

    Chairman of Tai and Sheila Hospital, Dr. Wale Omole, said but for the late Solarins, he would not have achieved his dream of becoming a medical doctor.

    “Honestly I feel pained. We celebrated her 88th birthday some months ago and she was healthy. Mrs. Solarin was a woman with a great heart, who left the comfort of her country.

    “Even at 88, Mrs Solarin was still teaching at her school. She taught English Language and marked students’ essays and letter writings, until she was admitted at the hospital.

    “There is no better way to serve humanity. Nigeria and Africa took the best out of this mother and teacher of teachers. She will be greatly missed,” he said.

    Born in England on May 31, 1924, to the Tuer family, the late Mrs. Solarin got married to her husband in 1951 in England and came to Nigeria in 1954.

    They established the Mayflower School in 1956.

    In 2011, Mrs. Solarin was invited to the popular “who wants to be a millionaire” television show and she won N2 million. The money, she said, was meant to establish a modern laboratory for the pupils.

    During her 88th birthday which was marked for her by the old and current students of the school, Madam Sheila shocked some of the guests in her modest sitting room last May 31 when she told The Nation that making it to 88 in Nigeria was a thing of “surprise” to her.

    Asked to explain, she said given her “busy life” in the country for over three decades, and all devoted to educating people, she never thought of living long.

    “It is a surprise to me that I’m still alive. Honestly, I didn’t expect to live long. I have had a busy life here. There is plenty of work to do in the areas of education,” she told The Nation.

    The late Mrs Solarin was described by her students – both old and young – as an “enigma”.

    One of her bitter regrets which will now accompany her to the grave. is inability and unwillingness of Nigerian governments to ensure that a good number of the citizens of school age have access to qualitative and affordable education.

    She said mass education of the people could not be attained because of the growing culture of corruption, laziness and indiscipline in the country.

    “Over 10 million Nigerians of school age are not in school. Many children never had a chance to be educated. Governments and individuals have a lot of work to do in that direction. If you don’t educate them, you are looking for trouble,” she said.

    The late Mrs Solarin’s daughter, Corin, said she would be unable to capture her late mother’s times and life in words.

    “I cannot summarise her life and times in words. She was a good, kind-hearted and humane personality.

    “She played the role of mother to thousands of people across the world. Her love and service to humanity were exemplary and legendary.”

    Senator Gbenga Kaka (Ogun East) said: “ Madam Solarin in her life times sacrificed all she had for the sake of her husband. She kept the flag flying at Mayflower School, Ikenne. She remained an epitome of good womanhood.

    “ She was caring, not only to her children, but all that passed through her husband. She will be missed just like we are missing her husband. She was a hard working, diligent and straight-forward person.”

    Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun mourned the passing of Mrs Solarin.

    In a statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media, Mrs Funmi Wakama, Amosun described Mrs Solarin’s death as most painful and a great loss to Ogun State and Nigeria.

    “Mama Solarin was a foremost educationist, a great teacher and disciplinarian who rendered an immeasurable service to the people of Ogun State and Nigeria through the Mayflower School. The school, founded in 1956, became one of the best schools in the country and has produced many of the leading lights in our nation.

    “Mama Solarin personified the common humanity we share, “not just by marrying our own revered Dr Tai Solarin, but choosing to live in Nigeria and making it her true home.”

    “Mrs Solarin was an example of that much-needed global spirit that sees beyond colour, race and religion in inter-relationships among peoples, nations and continents of the world,” he said.

    Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola also mourned Mrs. Solarin.

    A statement by Aregbesola’s Director, Bureau of Communications and Strategy, Mr. Semiu Okanlawon, quoted Aregbesola as saying:

    “She was a quintessential teacher. A moulder of men who devoted her life to the service of humanity, through the singular efforts of the Solarins, the Mayflower School, Ikenne, became a reference point in how to run educational institutions.

    “One can confidently say that the school, through the hardwork, dedication and honesty of the founders, set the pace for other educational institutions that would later come after it.”

  • New house for widow, rainstorm victim

    New house for widow, rainstorm victim

    One of the victims of last June’s rainstorm in Nru community of Nsukka, Enugu State, Mrs Justina Asogwa, received an unexpected relief.

    Mrs Asogwa, a widow, was presented with a new three-bedroom fully furnished bungalow.

    The house, jointly built by some officials of Nsukka Local Council, was handed over to her by the Chairman, Mr. Tony Ugwu, a lawyer.

    Ugwu said the gesture was to relieve the victim who is ‘the poor of the poor’ among the victims ravaged by the natural disaster.

    “It may interest you to know that we did not use the council’s fund to build this house.

    “Myself and my executive contributed from our personal purse in other that this woman will have a shelter to live in.

    “I am pleased that we have been able to re-echo the slogan of this administration to bring succour and smiles back to residents of Nru community”, he said.

    The councillor representing Nru ward in the council, Hon.  Celestine Ogbu said he was overwelmed at the rare gesture exhibited by the chairman and his executive.

    “I thought the relief materials distributed by the council to the victims were the end of this exercise but I am surprised at these rare act exhibited by the chairman and his executives by contributing from the salaries to bring succour to this helpless widow,” he said.

    The elated widow, Justina Asogwa, thanked Nsukka council for the gift of the house

    “I am happy for the gift of this house and I pray that God will bless all the people who ensured in wiping my tears away”, she said.

    The Nsukka Local Government gave three bundles of zinc  and a bag of rice were given to each of the  40 victims whose houses were lost to the Nru rainstorm last June.