The Sub Divisional Delegation of Women’s Empowerment and the Family, MINPROFF Bangem, in collaboration with the Bangem Council, has celebrated the 15th International Widows Day with widows of the Nhia Clan, Bangem Sub Division.
The ceremony took place on June 23, 2025 in Mbat village, Bangem, under the theme, “Amplifying Widows’ Voices for Peace and Development: A Responsibility for Families and Communities.”
Speaking at the ceremony, MINPROFF Sub Delegate, Bangem, Epumangando Synthia Epede Bih appreciated the widows for their massive turn out at the event.
She said widows’ rights are human rights that must be respected and celebrated at all times.
Epumangando added that every year on June 23, the international community celebrates the resilient and overcoming spirit of widows in the midst of challenges.
She told the widows that irrespective of the fact that they have lost their husbands, they should be hopeful always because the MINPROFF family has them at heart.
She cautioned widows to stand up for their rights, speak out, and report cases of violence to the State Counsel’s office and MINPROFF offices for necessary action.
The Mayor of Bangem Council, Ekungwe Kang Christopher expressed joy at the rare opportunity to commune with widows of the Nhia clan.
He encouraged widows to double their efforts and be hardworking to achieve their visions, irrespective of the absence of their husbands.
Ekungwe said from Nhia, they shall be rotating within the eight clans of Bangem, with the MINPROFF family to celebrate the International Widows Day, as has been in the past.
The Mayor donated cooking oil, soap, maggi cube, toilet tissue, a copy of The Ultimate Newspaper, and cash prizes to all the widows of Nhia Clan.
On behalf of the Chief of Mbat, HRM Colonel Michael Ngwesse, the Regent, Ngunde Kelvin Nsoner, in his welcome address said he was happy his village was chosen for the event. While thanking the organizers for wiping the tears of widows, Ngunde prayed that God will continue to guide and increase the widows.
The Divisional Delegate of Women’s Empowerment and the Family, Kupe Muanenguba, Ngwene Cecilia Mbolle, congratulated the Sub Delegate for the great celebration. She equally thanked Mayor Ekungwe for the donations to Nhia widows.
DD MINPROFF, K/M
She advised widows to be strong, and God will see them through their difficulties.
In the course of the celebration, the Deputy State Counsel, Kupe Muanenguba, Olivia Kesang Kumfa, talked on “Widows’ Inheritance Rights, Access to Justice, and Widows at the forefront of peace building. She mentioned that widows have the right to remarry after losing their husbands if they deem necessary.
Also, Joan Titi Yonghabi empowered the widows on the production of puff-puff with local food products like plantain flour, banana, and palm oil. She said they could use this as an income generating activity to raise their families.
Besides, the widows were privy to a health screening on hypertension, diabetes, and related sicknesses by Ekwelle Nicole Munge, a nurse at Bangem District Hospital.
She told The Ultimate that most of the widows have been referred to the hospital for proper follow up and treatment because their blood pressure were really high.
The ceremony also saw the presentation of a sketch by Ekambeng widows on “End widows’ Discrimination and Stigmatization:, Justice for Mami Munge.”
By Olive Ejang
