A major ethnic group in Benue State, North Central Nigeria popularly known as Idoma has announced N50,000 as its unified bride price for eligible bachelors interested in taking a wife from the region.
The paramount ruler of the Idoma nation, the Ochidoma, His Royal Majesty Elaigwu John, disclosed this in his New Year message.
The royal father also declared that there shall be no more expensive burial ceremonies in the Idomaland.
In a press release on Wednesday, January 3, 2023, by the Chief Palace Scribe, Onuminya Odoba, the monarch was described some of the changes as “self-imposed, barbaric, and harsh cultural practices” that make life harder for individuals.
The Ochidoma, who is a former Deeper Life Pastor, stated that the reforms were undertaken by the Idoma Area Traditional Council after wide consultations with rulers, political leaders, and their subjects.
The monarch was quoted as saying; “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,” the monarch declared.
“Imposition of costly prescriptions, stipulations, and requirements on the bereaved family for the burial rites of a deceased person is hereby prohibited in Idomaland.
“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”.
It was gathered that the council also prohibited “the practice of depriving the children and wife or wives of the deceased from inheriting his property.”
Recall that it has been a normal traditional practice in Idoma land whereby relatives deny and deprive the children and wife or wives of the deceased of their right to inheritance of the deceased’s property.
However with the latest decision by the traditional council the practice is disallowed henceforth.
