Abia State Governor, Okezie Ikpeazu has signed female inheritance Bill titled, “A Law to provide for the Right of a Female Person to Inherit and Own Property and for other Matters Connected Therewith”, into law in the state.
The law, among other things, guarantees the right of females to inherit and own property in their father’s family.
The state House of Assembly had recently passed the Bill to bring Abia State in conformity with international best practices of eliminating all forms of discrimination against women.
The Nation reports that while appending his signature on the Law, Ikpeazu made it clear that his administration shall lean on the side of reason and common sense in the discharge of its obligations to residents, noting that it has become anachronistic to continue to treat women as second-class citizens even in their families.
The Governor thanked the Assembly for showing courage to pass this Bill which he described as historic, positively disruptive and capable of setting our society on the path of equal opportunities and sustainable development.
He stated that the female inheritance Bill was the most important legislation passed by the State House of Assembly and congratulated Abia women for this feat and assured them that the State Government will continue to support them.
Abia State by signing the Bill into law has become one of the first in Nigeria to have the law fully in place.
Speaker Chinedum Orji, the Permanent Secretary/Clerk of the House of Assembly, Sir John Pedro Irokansi, Secretary to Government, Barrister Chris Ezem and the Chief of Staff to the Governor, Chief Okey Ahiwe witnessed the event.