Widow’s Plight Moves AK-NAWOJ

By Udeme Hosea

The Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Akwa Ibom State Council, has appealed to the Akwa Ibom State Government, corporate organizations, and well-meaning individuals to intervene in the plight of a displaced widow, Mrs. Comfort Okon Ekpenyong of Nsukara Offot, Uyo Local Government Area.

During a visit to Mrs. Ekpenyong’s residence last Thursday, AK-NAWOJ Chairman, Comrade Nsikak Okon, was moved by her situation.

 Mrs. Ekpenyong was allegedly displaced by her late husband’s family after they sold eight plots of land belonging to her late husband without her consent. The proceeds were used to acquire properties for themselves, leaving Mrs. Ekpenyong and her three daughters destitute.

The widow’s condition is dire as she prepares fufu, her daily hustling in an open space by day and sleeps in an uncompleted building provided by her late husband’s friend at night.

NAWOJ has also called on the state  government to look into the plight of Mrs. Comfort Ekpeyong and assist in providing a home for her and her children.

“We appeal to the Akwa Ibom State Government and kind-hearted individuals to assist in providing her with a home and securing her remaining land,” said Comrade Nsikak Okon.

In an interaction with her neighbors and passersby, they expressed concern over Mrs. Comfort’s condition and appealed for government and public intervention.

Clarifying if Mrs. Comfort Ekpeyong is an indigene of the area, the Village Head of Nsukara Offot, Etteidung Eyo Asukwo Esen, condemned the actions of her late husband’s siblings, emphasizing that both male and female children have equal rights to their parents’ property.

 He expressed dismay at not being aware of the widow’s plight until NAWOJ’s visit and assured that such injustices would not be tolerated.