Abia Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has given his approval to the Bill, which ensures females’ ability to inherit and possess property in their father’s family in the state.
The Abia Assembly enacted a bill a few weeks ago to put Abia State in line with international best practices for eliminating all types of discrimination against women.
While signing the Law, Ikpeazu stated unequivocally that his administration will err on the side of reason and common sense in carrying out its commitments to residents, noting that it has become archaic to continue to treat women as second-class citizens even within their own households.
The Governor thanked the Assembly for having the courage to pass this Bill, which he described as historic, positively disruptive, and capable of putting our society on a path of equal opportunities and long-term development.
The female inheritance Bill, according to the Governor, was the most important legislation passed by the State House of Assembly.
He congratulated Abia women on their achievement and promised that the Abia State Government would continue to support them.
The proper citation of the Law is THE FEMALE PERSONS RIGHT OF INHERITANCE OF PROPERTY LAW, 2022, while the Long Title of the Law is “A Law to provide for the Right of a Female Person to Inherit and Own Property and for other Matters Connected Therewith”.
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.