By Samuel Solomon
The First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, has called for stronger protection and support for widows, urging governments, communities and stakeholders to eliminate harmful traditional practices that undermine their dignity.
In a message marking International Widowsโ Day 2026 on Tuesday, the First Lady said widows deserved to live free from discrimination, poverty and social exclusion.
Reflecting on this yearโs theme, โJustice, Dignity and Economic Power for Widows โ The African Perspectives,โ Tinubu urged renewed commitment to the welfare of widows across Nigeria, Africa and the world.
โToday, on International Widowsโ Day 2026, I urge us to reaffirm our support for widows across Nigeria, Africa, and the world as we reflect on this yearโs theme: โJustice, Dignity and Economic Power for Widows โ The African Perspectives,โโ she said.
According to her, widows should be protected by laws that uphold their rights and provided with opportunities to rebuild their lives with dignity and hope.
โWidows deserve to live free from discrimination, harmful practices, poverty, and exclusion. They must be protected by laws that uphold their rights and be empowered through education, access to opportunities, and economic support to rebuild their lives with dignity and hope,โ she stated.
The First Lady also called for an end to cultural practices that dehumanise widows across the African continent.
โIn Africa, we must do away with harmful traditional practices that are dehumanising to widows.
โWe must continue to promote compassion, inclusion, and policies that protect widows for a safer and more prosperous society. The society should empower widows to be able to provide for their families,โ she added.
She wished widows across the country a meaningful International Widowsโ Day celebration and reaffirmed support for initiatives that advance their welfare and rights.
