By Ifeizu Joe
~ Widow laments treatment by husband’s brothers
Journalists from Anambra State, under the aegis of Correspondents’ Chapel, Anambra State have visited the widow of their deceased colleagues, Mr Alphonsus Nweze to commiserate with she and her children over the demise of their breadwinner.
Nweze, a known journalist plying his trade in Anambra, but resides in Asaba, Delta State had lost his life early October in a ghastly motor accident, while returning back to Asaba from Onitsha after work.
The Nsukka, Enugu State born journalist was last week interred in his hometown amidst tears and anguish by colleagues, family members and other sympathisers.
Members of the Correspondents’ Chapel however visited the widow and her four children at their residence in Asaba on Saturday to commiserate with them and also hand them a token of support mobilized from colleagues and other good spirited individuals who worked with the late journalist.
Chairman of Correspondents Chapel, Chief Chuks Ilozue who led members, while presenting a cheque of N600,000 to them urged the widow to be strong and ensure that she works hard to train the children.
Ilozue said: “We know you had entered a new phase of life, so in trying to visit you, we activated our contacts and went to friends and well wishers of your husband.
“We as members of Correspondents Chapel contributed money, other well wishers, including Senator Victor Umeh, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr Christian Aburime, and the Police Public Relations Officer of Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga all contributed to the money we have for you here.
“This is the cheque we are giving to you. It’s N600,000. It may not be enough to do all things, but it will be enough to help you do certain things the family may need urgently.”
The widow, Mrs Chioma Alphonsus Eze could not hold back her tears. She called for constant prayers for her family, saying that just three days after her husband’s death, his brothers sold their family land, without consulting her or her children.
“I beg you people to always pray for us. I want to bring to your notice that after three days of the burial of my husband, two of his younger brothers went and sold Alphonsus’ land for N12million.
“My husband tried his best during his lifetime and retrieved the land from people who had grabbed it, and almost immediately his brothers started pressuring him to sell the land, but he refused.
“Now, three days after his burial, they sold his land, and I learnt they collected the account number of one of my husband’s relatives, who he trained in school, saying they will pay my husband’s share to the account to bring to us.
“I have told them I’m not interested in land sales. I can’t be selling land and collecting proceeds just immediately after burying my husband. They should sell their share and keep our own land for us. We will not sell,” she said weeping.
