Six hundred widows in Abia State have each received N50,000 to support their nano businesses courtesy of the wife of the governor, Mrs Priscilla Otti.

Mrs. Otti handed the money over to them at the 2026 International Widows' Day celebration, themed, "Justice, Dignity and Economic Power for Widows," in Umuahia, the capital.

She said justice for widows was not charity but a moral obligation, noting that "dignity is a fundamental right while economic empowerment remains the pathway to self-reliance and sustainable livelihoods."

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While reaffirming the state government's commitment to protecting the rights, dignity and economic wellbeing of widows, she pointed at other interventions for their wellbeing.

The first lady mentioned the Dignity Homes Initiative, in which 35 indigent widows from the 17 local government areas got completed homes alongside livelihood support.

She said 17 more homes would be built across the state with a promise that widows will continue to benefit from cash assistance, food support, skills acquisition and empowerment programmes.

Earlier, the commissioner for Poverty Alleviation and Social Protection, Ngozi Felix, said the event spoke to the government's resolve to care for widows and the vulnerable.

She urged families, communities, faith-based organisations, civil society groups and development partners to join hands with the government in eliminating harmful widowhood practices.

Speaking to LEADERSHIP some of the beneficiaries, Okwukwe Onyemaobi, Ngozika Ukaegbu, Ada Ogele, and Nwakaku Ansalem, commended the first lady for gesture.

Similarly, a teenager, Favour Nwankwo, who accompanied her mother to the event, said the money will go a long way to address their family's financial and other challenges.