Insecurity increasing population of widows — Urho

Insecurity, especially in the Niger Delta region, has been blamed for the increasing population of widows, dominated by young women.

Also, globally, there is an estimated 258 million widows and one out of 10 lives in extreme poverty with little or no hope for actions or policies that will mitigate their sufferings and impact their survival.

The Deputy General Manager, Community Affairs and Development, Total Exploration and Production Limited, (TEPENG), Mr. James Urho, represented by Manager, Community Relations offshore, Port-Harcourt, Mr. Okechukwu Obara, stated this during a training and empowerment programme for widows.

He disclosed that his company has set up micro-credit outlets in various host communities to enable women to access funds and be productive.

According to him, children of the widows are often vulnerable to abuse, especially the girl-child.

He said the firm believes that widows should have access to education, work, healthcare and live life free of violence and abuse.