Nigerians rally around Mrs Gertrude Anulika Ngwu after humiliating incident at husband's Ozo title-taking ceremony
What was supposed to be a day of celebration has turned into a story of humiliation, public sympathy and unexpected kindness for Mrs Gertrude Anulika Ngwu, whose experience at her husband's Ozo title-taking ceremony has drawn wide attention on social media.
Kind-hearted Nigerians have continued to visit her, offering financial help, gifts and words of encouragement after a viral video showed her being treated in a way many viewers described as humiliating.
The viral video
The video captured an uncomfortable moment during the traditional ceremony when the children of her husband's second wife reportedly refused to spray money on her, despite repeated appeals from the master of ceremonies.
According to accounts shared alongside the footage, the children had earlier sprayed money on their biological mother. When the MC encouraged them to do the same for Mrs Anulika, they declined.
For many Nigerians who watched, it was a painful scene: a woman attending an important ceremony in her husband's life, yet appearing to be left out of a celebration in which she should have felt included and respected.
Years of mockery
The story became even more emotional following claims that Mrs Anulika had endured years of mockery over her inability to have children.
Reports online suggest she eventually moved back to her father's home after allegedly facing repeated ridicule from her co-wife and the woman's children. These allegations have not been independently verified.
Strangers show her love
Nigerians who were touched by her story have decided to show her some love. In recent days, well-wishers have visited her at her father's residence with gifts, financial support and encouragement.
Some supporters have donated hundreds of thousands of naira, while others bought her a new mobile phone. More visits are planned: one support group has announced a grand visit to her village in Ukeh, Enugu State, on Friday, 6 November 2026, with supporters from Anambra, Imo and Abia invited to meet at Ekochin Bus Stop, 9th Mile.
Perhaps that is the most touching part of this story. People who have never met Mrs Anulika are going out of their way to make her smile. Strangers who watched a few minutes of her experience online have become concerned about her welfare.
A conversation about childlessness
Her story has also reopened an important conversation about how women who struggle with childlessness are treated in some Nigerian families.
Why should a woman's value in marriage be measured by the number of children she has? Why should a woman who has spent years in a marriage be made to feel less important simply because she has not given birth?
Marriage comes with its own difficulties, but no woman deserves to be publicly ridiculed or denied basic respect because of her circumstances.
Compassion still lives
Whatever may have happened behind the scenes in this family, the incident has clearly touched a nerve. The growing support for Mrs Anulika shows that compassion still has a place in society. Even at a time when many people are struggling financially, some are willing to share what little they have to comfort someone they believe has been treated unfairly.
One can only hope the support continues beyond social media and that she finds lasting peace, dignity and happiness. To every Nigerian who has visited, donated or offered her a kind word, your gesture deserves recognition. Sometimes, all a person needs is to know that somebody cares.
Over to you
Should a woman who has no biological children be treated differently in her husband's family, especially when he marries another wife who has children? What happened to compassion, fairness and respect in our traditional family system?
- Her co-wife's children reportedly refused to spray money on her.
- Well-wishers have donated money, gifts and a new phone.
- A support group is visiting her village in Ukeh, Enugu State.
