One year and half, after the ascension of Elaigwu John v, as the paramount ruler of Idoma nation, he has announced the reform of traditional wedding rites to N50,000, proscribed costly wedding, dealt with issues of inheritance, as well as burial of a woman with multiple children from different husbands.
The Ochidoma, who was a Deeper Life Pastor, was installed on 30th of June, 2022.
PERISCOPE NIGERIA reports that the Idomaland has the second largest population in Benue State with seven Local Government Areas and the tribe spreads to Nasarawa, Taraba, Cross River and other states of the federation.
Disclosing the reform in his new year message, through the Chief palace scribe and media aide, Onuminya Samuel Odobamade, which was obtained by journalists in Makurdi on Wednesday, noted that they were made by the Idoma Area Traditional Council after wide consultation with rulers, political leaders, and the subjects.
The reform partly read, “That some self-imposed, barbaric, and harsh cultural practices be expunged from the practice of our culture and tradition.
“Our deliberations arrived at the following conclusions for the immediate adherence of all true Idoma people clans, tongues, and people under the Idoma Area Traditional Council.
“Prohibition of Costly Burial Rites.
The Imposition of costly prescriptions, stipulations, and requirements on the bereaved family for the burial rites of a deceased person is hereby prohibited, in Idoma land.
“Burial rites should be conducted within affordable means of the family and as much as possible, concluded within two to three weeks from the date of death.
“Prohibition of the Practice of Depriving the Children and Wife(s) of the Deceased from Inheriting His property. The practice whereby relatives deny and deprive the Children and Wive(s) of the deceased of their right to inheritance of the deceased’s property, is hereby prohibited.
“For the avoidance of doubt, where the deceased is survived by wife(s) and children, such children and wife(s) shall have the right of first consideration, in the apportioning of the inheritance, in the absence of a Written Will.”
The reform added, that “Burial of the Deceased’s Wife. The Deceased’s wife shall be buried in her husband’s place, except in special circumstances where the wife during her lifetime, was married to and had children for more than one man; in which case, the wife may be buried in her father’s place to allow other husbands and children to partake in the burial rites.
“Bride Price And Traditional Marriage Rites. The Traditional Bride Price in Idoma land is hereby unified and fixed at N50,000..
“All forms of stringent conditions, stipulations, and expectations associated with traditional marriage are hereby removed and prohibited.
“Designation of Community Burial Ground. Indiscriminate burial of corpses within and around the community, especially in residential areas is prohibited, forthwith.
” Every community is mandatorily required to, within a period not later than 31st December 2024, earmark and designate a place in each village or hamlet, as a Burial Ground, to bury corpses.
“Where for any special reasons, a person has to be buried within or around the compound, the permit of the Traditional Ruler must first be sought and obtained and such burial spot or grave must be marked and secured.”
