Felix King Foundation, organisers of Liberty project, focussed on the abolishment of widows’ maltreatment in Africa, has taken the fight to the communities.

The NGO on Friday unveiled two frontline Nollywood actors; actor-turned-politician, Hon. Desmond Elliot, and Mercy Aigbe as Liberty project ambassadors.

Speaking at the unveiling ceremony in Lagos to herald the first African Widows Summit, slated for June 23, 2017 in Edo State, founder of Liberty project, Felix King, said the summit will coincide with the UN date to reflect on the challenges of the widows globally.

The theme of the summit is: “Abolish widows’ maltreatment in Africa”.

King said that about 8 million disadvantaged widows live in Nigeria with over 24 million children under 17 years.

He observed that a high percentage of these women, on the death of their husbands, are subjected to cruel treatment by the people who are supposed to comfort them.

“It is bad to deal with the pains of losing a loved one and bad enough to be subjected to further pain as a result of societal or cultural belief,” King said.

“It is sickening some times when you hear what widows are subjected to at the demise of their husband. Some are denied estates of their husband while others are subjected to all kinds of inhuman treatment all in the name of culture,” he further said, adding: “The cultural discrimination is global and not restricted to Nigeria but Nigeria case is peculiar.”

King said his encounter with the plight of a widow few years ago necessitated this fight, a course he has been championing for almost two years, committing both time and huge resources.

To give the cause legal backing, King said an ‘Abolish Widows Bill’ is being proposed at the Edo State House of Assembly.

He appreciated Desmond Elliot and Mercy Aigbe, whom he said are taking up the roles as Liberty project ambassadors for free, for agreeing to join in the fight.

“Desmond Elliot and Mercy Aigbe’s voice will be added to the widows’ plight and their presence will bring other volunteers to help in the fight,” Mr. King said.

He urged Nigerians to add their voices to the fight against the plight of widows by endorsing their signatures at the Felix King Foundation site, adding that signatories can be obtained from all parts of Africa.

Also speaking at the event, Desmond Elliot condemned the inhuman treatment widows go through and advised all men to ensure that they take the issue of will very serious.

“People have the perception that writing their will meant they are ready to die; No, the idea is since we are all going to die someday, the plan is to ensure when it happens, the people left behind are protected undue interference,” he said.

Elliot, a Member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, promised to talk to some lawyers to look at the possibilities of sponsoring a bill in Lagos State to help in the fight against the plight of widows in the state.

•Photo shows, L-R; Member, Lagos State House of Assembly & Liberty project ambassador, Hon. Desmond Elliot; Founder, Liberty Project Foundation, Felix King; and Actress & Liberty project ambassador, Mercy Aigbe, during the media interaction for the commemoration of International Widows Day . . . on Friday in Lagos.