Enugu woman humiliated for barrenness at her husband’s coronation receives tumultous support

What began as a public humiliation has transformed into a global wave of love and celebration for an elderly Enugu woman, Mrs. Gertrude Anulika Ngwu, popularly called Mama Ukehe.   

The Ozo title coronation ceremony for her husband took place in late October 2026 in Ukehe, Igbo-Etiti Local Government Area of Enugu State and provoked a reaction that is yet to fully die down.

Mama Ukehe, who married at a young age but never had biological children, had endured years of marital strain following her husband’s decision to take a second wife. 

The second wife reportedly bore five children for the man. The children allegedly showed open hostility to Mama Ukehe, leading her to relocating back to her father’s house.

In a video circulating online, she narrated that she was invited to the coronation of her husband by her in-laws, adding that her husband did not inform her. 

She also added that she did not invite her own people who could have shown her support because she was not formally invited.

The cultural tradition dictates that the husband and his wives are celebrated with gifts, cash and other luxury items as they are seated in a row.

Guests showered the celebrant and his second wife with gifts while they mostly skipped the first wife, who sat in the middle.

In a viral clip, the three daughters of the second wife and their partners made a show of spraying their mother with cash and other gifts while their stepmother looked on in extreme humiliation as only a handful of people gave her gifts.

The MC read the room and hinted to the ladies to remember to extend the largesse to their stepmother.

However, the ladies gave him and their stepmother no attention for the duration of the clip.

When the video was posted online, it grieved many hearts, with many Nigerians questioning the culture that seemed to ridicule women who cannot have children. 

The video has since triggered many netizens who have since been planning to pay the woman a visit to try and restore her dignity. 

On Friday, they threw a massive reception party for the elderly woman in her father’s house in Ukehe.

Sound equipment loaded on a truck arrived the woman’s compound in the village with a mammoth crowd singing her praise.

Mama Ukehe was given personal grooming, with her hair freshly done and a beautiful dress given to her to wear for the occasion.

Well-wishers, community members, and adopted children danced happily as they celebrated her and posted it online.

The movement reached the highest levels of state leadership on Thursday, when the First Lady of Enugu State officially recognised Mama Ukehe, presenting her with high-grade wrappers, financial support, and ceremonial gifts.

Financial gifts continued to roll in for the woman at the time of filing this report.

See the video of Mama Ukehe’s humiliation and the grand reception held for her by strangers on our Telegram Channel.

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