Widows for Peace Through Democracy: Popular Nigerian Widows Who Have Risen Above Social Stigma And Become Winners

Widowhood is caused by so many factors, including disease, poverty, war, accident, negligence and sometimes hatred, which always culminates in the death of a dear husband. For many women around the world, the devastating loss of a husband is always characterised by negligence and a long-term fight for their basic rights and dignity. It is a very traumatic experience.

Although there are more than 258 million widows around the world, widows have historically been left unsupported in the various spectrums of society. They are often stigmatised, denied the right to inherit properties when their husbands die. Every June 23 is set aside worldwide to focus on raising awareness of the plight of widows, especially the vulnerable ones and their children. It is also an occasion to address social stigmas that create exclusion, discrimination, or harmful practices.

This year’s theme, ‘Widows for Peace through Democracy,’ addresses the 2024 commission on the status of women with a priority theme of accelerating the achievement of gender equality, emphasising the strengthening of land and property rights.

In celebration of Nigerian widows, IVORY UKONU spotlights a few who have refused to be held down by social stigma and instead, focused on achieving success.

Seinye Lulu-Briggs

That Seinye Lulu-Briggs has fought and won many battles since becoming a widow is simply stating the obvious. She was married to late philanthropist and elder statesman, Chief O.B. Lulu-Briggs, who passed on at the age of 88.

After her husband passed away, Seinye literally weathered many storms. She had to fight off her older stepsons – Senibo, Sofiri and Dumo, a former governorship aspirant in Rivers State who accused her of not being truthful about what led to their father’s death. The older Lulu-Briggs passed on, upon arriving at the Kotoka International Airport Clinic, Accra, Ghana on December 27, 2018, while on vacation to the country in company with his wife, family, friends and staff.

Seinye alleged that she was victimised and scandalised as lies were cooked up against her. She accused her stepsons of being more interested in her late husband’s asset and alleged that Dumo, in particular, repeatedly requested from her a list of his father’s assets so he could sell off some to raise money to give the deceased a befitting burial, but she refused to oblige him. What followed was a long battle that drew the attention of some prominent Nigerians, including politicians and clerics who had to intervene in the matter.

Even the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) placed a travel ban on her. On arrival in Lagos from London on January 14, 2020, she was detained for several hours without explanation. Similarly, on January 29, 2020, she was stopped from travelling at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport in Lagos, detained and kept in a solitary room. The following morning, she was released without her international passport and other travel documents.

Both the EFCC and NIS had made an attempt to justify the seizure of her passport and her detention, claiming that she was under investigation and granted an administrative bail, which she jumped. The development, they said, compelled them to place her on a watch list and ask the Immigration Service to seize her travelling documents. The travel ban was eventually voided by a Federal High Court in Lagos with an order for EFCC and NIS to pay her the sum of N15 million in damages and an apology to her in two national newspapers.

Today, Seinye is not only an accomplished businesswoman but also expanded her businesses, which include a bottling company, a foods and beverages firm, a multifunctional haulage, asset-leasing and manpower management company. She also oversees the affairs of Moni Pulo Oil Producing Company Limited, her late husband’s business. What is more, she has also taken on the plight of widows and helped them rise above victimisation and all forms of persecution by collaborating with the African Women Lawyers Association, AWLA, to offer free legal service, fully paid for by her husband’s foundation, to support embattled widows in the pursuit of their rights and the protection of their dignity.

A recipient of several awards, about two months ago, she was bestowed with the traditional title of ‘Ununwe Gwoduma Emene’ of Ekpeye Land meaning ‘The Woman that Heals Ekpeye People’, by His Imperial Majesty, Eze Sir (Ambassador) Kelvin Ngozi Anugwo, PhD, Eze Ekpeye Logbo 111, the Paramount King of Ekpeye Kingdom and his council of chiefs.

Margery Chuba-Okadigbo

A lawyer and a former lawmaker who represented Anambra North Senatorial District in the 8th National Assembly, Margery is the wife of late Dr Chuba Okadigbo, a political scientist who served as the 8th President of the Nigerian Senate between 1999 and 2000. He died of a respiratory problem on September 25, 2003.

Margery did not only suffer the loss of her husband, the graduate of George Washington University, Harvard University, Georgetown University, and the University of Chicago’s Booth Business School, all in the United States, but also had to deal with the loss of two sons – first, Obiajulu Jideofor Okadigbo to an undisclosed ailment and her eldest son, Pharaoh Okadigbo on May 21, 2021, in a motor accident. But she didn’t let these deaths dampen her spirit, instead she trudged on by establishing the Chuba Okadigbo Foundation to ensure that her late husband’s legacies are sustained for all generations of Nigerians.

The foundation consistently offers scholarships, assists widows with credit facilities, picks hospital bills of indigent patients and secures employment for university graduates and non-graduates. In 2022, she was appointed Chairman of the Board and Management of the Nigerian National Petroleum Company Limited by President Mohammadu Buhari’s administration.

Tosin Dokpesi

Of the several wives the late media guru, Chief Raymond Dokpesi had – about four – Tosin was the most prominent because she was not only his fourth and last wife but also the face of his media empire. The 55 year-old widow has managed to confound her detractors and other naysayers who didn’t think she would amount to anything.

Although she studied zoology at the University of Lagos, her passion for communicating with millions through the medium of the television tube through the now defunct Clapper Boards and later DAAR Communications, Nigeria’s preeminent private television station, where she started out as a corps member and later a full-time staff, could not be denied. She soon retraced her steps and swiftly earned a postgraduate degree in mass communications.

With the help of her stepson, Raymond Dokpesi Junior, who is the chairman of DAAR Communications, Tosin has helped to steer the ship of the media empire to greater heights as the Managing Director of Africa Independent Television, a subsidiary of DAAR Communications Limited.

Oke Maduewesi

Oke Maduewesi is a fine blend of beauty, brains and brawn. Despite losing her husband in the Sosoliso plane crash of 2005 and being pregnant with her second daughter at that time, Oke Maduewesi, the Founder/Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Zaron Group of Companies, comprising Zaron International Limited and Zaron Cosmetics Limited, has kept her eyes fixed on the ball, refusing to be distracted by the pain of her loss. She has instead focused on delivering sleek premium quality products at affordable prices to enhance the lifestyle needs of African women. Zaron was conceived whilst she was doing an MBA at Leeds Business School. Prior to that, she was working in one of the leading financial institutions in Nigeria until she decided to relocate to the United Kingdom with her two daughters who were four and two years-old, respectively, at the time in pursuit of her next chapter.

While in school, reviewing different business case studies and having this restlessness within, she knew without a doubt that she had to change the narrative of the Beauty and Wellness industry, which was one of the fastest growing industries at that time. Besides, there were no prominent African brands dominating the space at that time. So, she launched Zaron and allowed it to flourish.

Besides her thriving business, Oke is a source of inspiration to many young women and widows. Understanding the emotional needs of widows, she has for many years, through her Valentine’s Day outreach to widows, impacted on the lives of women who suffer the same fate of losing their beloved ones. This initiative of hers has helped bring succour to aching souls through acts of sisterhood.

Josephine Nwaeze

Lady Josephine Nwaeze’s story is about her inspiring journey of becoming an ’emergency leader,’ following the tragic deaths of her husband and son. Josephine attributes her success in overcoming adversity to consistency, resilience, hope and trust in God.

In 2006, Josephine’s husband, Sir Ojimadu Nwaeze, died in an ADC plane crash, leaving her to take the reins of his company, News Engineering Nigeria Limited, a 41-year-old indigenous electrical engineering company to greater heights. Years later, her son Ugo, whom she had been grooming to become an engineer, also passed away.

Despite the immense grief and hardships, she persevered, finding solace in her faith and focusing on her responsibilities as a leader. She has been able to take the company to formidable heights, such that she got conferred with a Honorary Fellowship by the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE), the highest a member can attain in the society last years. The NSE said it conferred on her such honour because of her contributions to national development through her company, employing over 200 engineering personnel. This is in addition to successfully executing numerous engineering contracts, particularly in the Nigeria power sector.

Ngozi Nkoloenyi

Lagos society matriarch, Lolo Ngozi Nkoloenyi, became a widow about 12 years ago. She is the wife of late Paul Nkoloenyi who was a successful businessman until his death. But his death did not deter her from quickly taking up the role as the leader of her family and keeping hers and her husband’s businesses staying afloat. The 64-year-old style and fashion icon runs Bloomingdale, an upscale fashion company and La Valerie, a fashion accessory outfit. She recently joined the league of female traditional title holders when she was conferred with the Nne Ora (Mother of all) title, by Igwe Polycarp Oyigbo, the traditional ruler of her hometown in Egede, Enugu State. It was a day of joy and celebration as many sons and daughters of Egede trooped out in their number to felicitate with Ngozi who is considered a role model as a wife, a business leader and a mother. When she is not busy running her businesses, she preoccupies herself with philanthropy using her status as the 18th president of Ikeja Viva La Amour Lion’s Club or spending time with her grown children and helping to raise her grandchildren.

Kemi Adewunmi

The Lagos-based socialite, politician and humanitarian is the widow of a former Chief of Air Staff, late Air Vice Marshal Ibrahim Alfa who passed away on March 16, 2000. Despite losing her husband to the cold hands of death and bearing him two beautiful children, Princess Kemi has worked hard over the years to be relevant in politics which is dominated by men. She has not allowed her status as a widow to deter her or determine her outcome, she has pushed boundaries in no small measure, and today, she stands tall and distinguished in every circle she finds herself.

A former governorship aspirant in Ekiti State on the platform of People’s Democratic Party in 2022, Kemi is the president of Soroptimist International, Lekki as well as the president of the Women Initiative for Advocacy, Social Justice and Empowerment among many other organizations and groups she heads such as the National President, ATIKU LOYALISTS, member Teecom, G32 Contact and Mobilization, G32 Southwest ASO 4 ATIKU, G32 S/W Official etc. She is referred to as ‘an institution and a force to reckon with. Through her involvement and key roles in humanitarian activities and political engagements, Princess Kemi has been able to distinguish herself and impacted her state and Nigeria positively. She has constantly motivated and supported women to rise above the norm and take their equal place in most men dominated spheres of life.

Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu

The former First Lady of Ondo State is the widow of Rotimi Akeredolu, the late former governor of the State who died on December 27 of leukaemia and prostate cancer. A breast cancer survivor of over 20 years, Betty is anything but lily livered and this was evident in the way she asserted her authority as the first lady of the state and how she tried to keep the wheels from falling off during the period her husband was in and out of hospitals. The feminist and gender activist who is also the founder of Breast Cancer Association of Nigeria, BRECAN, with its core duty of sensitizing the general public about the deadly disease by breaking down the wall of secrecy and stigmatisation associated with breast cancer, recently immortalised the memory of her late husband who died as a sitting governor. In recognition of his sterling contributions to the legal profession and Nigerian society and in appreciation of his legacy of excellence and service to mankind, she set up a scholarship fund in his memory for deserving law students. The Oluwarotimi Akeredolu Scholarship Fund for Lawyers will be awarded annually to aspiring lawyers who have been admitted to the Nigerian Law School and who demonstrate academic merit, leadership potential, and financial need. It’s her own way of expressing gratitude to the Nigerian Bar Association, especially the Ibadan branch, for honouring the patriarch of the Akeredolu family with hopes that it will inspire and empower the next generation of lawyers who will uphold the values and principles that Aketi embodied.

Nosa Okunbo

She is the widow of late businessman, Idahosa Wells-Okunbo who died of pancreatic cancer in August 2021. Following his death, the family has been in one form of battle over the late business magnate’s businesses and properties, but this has not stopped Nosa from forging ahead personally. A businesswoman who learnt well at the feet of her husband, she has been able to replicate the successes her husband recorded with his companies. On her own as the Founder and CEO of Windek Energy set up in the pursuit of sustainable energy solutions. Her company prioritizes the delivery of high-quality energy from cleaner hydrocarbons while actively participating in the transition towards cleaner energy sources thus helping to address environmental concerns and reduce carbon emissions. The company recently began setting up 10 vehicle refuelling stations across Nigeria, to distribute clean natural gas and recharge electric vehicles to accelerate the transition to clean energy.