Rachel Otuoma, widow of the late footballer Ezekiel Otuoma, has publicly addressed criticism over moving on with a new partner months after her husband’s burial.

Rachel Otuoma, widow of the late footballer Ezekiel Otuoma, has publicly addressed criticism over moving on with a new partner months after her husband’s burial.

Ezekiel passed away in December 2024 and was buried in January 2025. During his burial, Rachel had vowed eternal love and to never remove her wedding rings.

Recently, she announced her upcoming introduction ceremony with her new partner, Jabilo, sparking mixed reactions online. In a TikTok live with influencer Nyako, Rachel shut down critics, asserting she had completed all traditional widowhood rites. She asked the public to respect her choice to move on and emphasized that it is not wrong for a widow to find love again.

She praised Jabilo for his support and revealed he had returned from abroad and was now living with her. Rachel stated that societal double standards would not have criticized a man in a similar situation and said Ezekiel himself might have moved on even faster if roles were reversed.