The Benue State House of Assembly has passed a bill to establish the Benue State Widows Commission to prohibit harmful cultural practices against widows and protect them from exploitation. The bill was approved on Tuesday during plenary in Makurdi.
Leading the debate, the chairman of the House Committee on Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Beckie Orpin, said the legislation addresses the challenges faced by widows, describing them as one of the most vulnerable groups in society. The bill was formally passed after being read for the third time following a motion moved by the majority leader, Thomas Dugeri.
In a related development, the assembly considered a report on the Benue State Rehabilitation Board, with lawmakers saying the law establishing the board had become obsolete. Orpin said the monthly contribution of one hundred thousand naira by local government councils was inadequate, adding that the board lacked basic infrastructure and teaching materials.
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Ruling on the matter, Speaker Alfred Emberga directed relevant committees to draft a bill to repeal the 1996 edict establishing the rehabilitation board. He also announced an increase in the board’s monthly allocation from one hundred thousand naira to one point five million naira and directed the state government to ensure timely release of funds and provision of vehicles and instructional materials.
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