The Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) in Niger State, Bulus Yohanna, has spoken against the age-old custom of treating widows like possessions to be divided among the relatives of their late husbands.
Yohanna, who also leads the Catholic Diocese of Kontagora, sent this message through his deputy, Rev. Joshua Marcus, during the 2025 International Widows’ Day commemoration in Minna. The event was hosted by the state’s Women Wing of CAN.
He condemned the degrading treatment many widows face, stressing that they deserve recognition as individuals with rights and dignity.
“It saddens my heart when I hear of cases where relatives share not only the property of deceased individuals but also their wives.
“Widows are not property to be shared by the relatives of their husbands but human beings who should be treated with dignity,” he said.
Yohanna urged extended families to stop inflicting more pain on women who have already lost their spouses.
He called for a cultural shift that focuses on care, support, and restoration for widows. He also addressed the widows directly, encouraging them to strive for independence and prioritize raising their children with vision.
“I urge our widows to be productive, self-reliant and to engage in meaningful businesses if they are not employed. They should focus on the children God has blessed them with,” he added.
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In her remarks, the State Chairperson of the CAN Women Wing, Mrs. Ladi Nuhu, charged widows to keep pushing forward, regardless of the hardships.
Speaking on the day’s theme, Empowering Widows: Building Resilience, Restoring Dignity, she encouraged women to trust God and take bold steps towards financial and emotional independence.
“We understand that you need support for your children, but this is the time to stand strong and not give up.
“I appeal to you to draw strength from Isaiah 54:5-6, which reminds us that widows have a special place in the heart of God,” she said.