Priscilla Otti, Wife of Abia State Governor, has disbursed N50,000 each to over 600 widows in the State as part of efforts to support their nano businesses as Abia joined in the commemoration of 2026 International Widows Day.
Otti disbursed the money as part of activities marking the 2026 International Widows’ Day celebration, held at the JAAC Secretariat Umuahia, with the theme, “Justice, Dignity and Economic Power for Widows”.
Otti said that justice for widows is not charity, but a moral obligation, strassing that dignity is a fundamental right while economic empowerment remains the pathway to self-reliance and sustainable livelihoods.
Priscilla Otti, who affirmed the Abia State Government’s commitment to protecting the rights, dignity and economic wellbeing of widows across the State, highlighted the achievements of the Dignity Homes Initiative, in which 35 indigent widows from the 17 Local Government Areas
received fully-completed homes alongside livelihood support.
She disclosed that 17 more homes would be built across the State, promising that widows would continue to benefit from cash assistance, food support, skills acquisition and empowerment programmes.
Ngozi Blessing Felix, Commissioner for Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, said the event underscored the State’s resolve to promote justice, dignity and economic opportunities for widows.
She noted that under the Administration of Governor Alex Otti, social protection had become a key pillar of governance through initiatives, including the dignity homes project, livelihood support programmes, healthcare interventions and advocacy for the protection of widows’ inheritance and property rights.
The commissioner called on families, communities, faith-based organisations, civil society groups and development partners to join hands with Government in eliminating harmful widowhood practices and creating an inclusive society where widows can live with dignity, security and hope.
The event, which was organised by the Office of the Wife of the Governor in collaboration with the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, brought together Government officials, development partners, traditional and religious leaders, civil society organisations, women groups and hundreds of widows from across Abia State
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