After the news made rounds that Mrs Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, widow of the late former Governor of Ondo State, Rotimi Akeredolu, has gotten married to her late husband’s younger brother, Prof. Professor Wole Akeredolu, a lot of clarifications have been made suggesting that the ceremony was not an actual marriage.
Sources close to the Akeredolus said there was indeed a ceremony at Betty Akeredolu’s village in Imo State where according to custom, the Akeredolu family formally notified the former First Lady’s family of her husband’s passage.
“According to custom, the Akeredolu Family indicated to the Anyanwu Family that they still wanted Betty in their family. According to custom. Betty was then handed over to his immediate younger brother, Prof. Wole Akeredolu to take care of her.
“That is not the same thing as marriage. She has four children and grandchildren for the Akeredolu family. It was therefore prudent for the family to request that she remain in their family according to the custom of her people.”
However, the Executive Director of Braveheart Initiative for Youth and Women (BHI), Ms. Priscilla Ikos Usiobaifo maintains that such traditional practices are fuelers of GBV.
“Since we began our Ford Foundation Supported Project focused on PREVENTION of SGBV, we have become more exposed to sociocultural practices and norms that hinders the progress of women. While we often deal with the notorious ones as FGM, there are many other rites linked to Marriage and Burial Ceremonies that we MUST give away or refine if we we are to actually make progress in this country.
“A careful analysis of these practices show patriarchy at play. They deliberately misinform and disinform the citizens especially our women to believe that such practices are for their good but it is a LIE.
“Imagine me losing my husband and HIS family are made to DETERMINE if I will continue to live with them or not. That decision should be my prerogative and choice as his widow.
“We have a VERY LONG way to go with our women’s rights advocacy if we don’t begin the difficult engagement of our TRADITIONAL Systems.
“Sadly, when we talk about SGBV Prevention, many people talk about what WOMEN should do to avoid being assaulted e.g Dress Better, Don’t argue with Men etc. YET, Evidence shows that PREVENTING SGBV requires addressing social norms that frame and fuel such violations.
“Priscilla – BHI”
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