Idoma Area Traditional Council Slashes bride price for Idoma marriages

By Emiene Erameh

The Idoma Area Traditional Council (IATC) of Benue state has slashed the cost of bride price for Idoma natives.

The paramount ruler of the Idoma Och’Idoma, Dr John Elaigwu Odogbo, who announced the reduction in a new year message to his people said the decision was taken after due consultation with relevant stakeholders.

“The Traditional bride price in Idoma land is hereby unified and fixed at N50,000 (Fifty thousand Naira, only). All forms of stringent conditions, stipulations, and expectations associated with traditional marriage are hereby removed and prohibited,” he ordered.

The Och’Idoma, also announced the abolition of costly burial rites and the imposition of harsh and costly requirements on the bereaved family.

“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.

He also said, “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.