UBIAJA – Culture is said to be the mirror of a people. It is argued to be the best pointer to their value, their scale of preference and their frame of reference. Any given culture, if it is to retain its relevance, must be dynamic and able to reflect changes in the structure and working of that society. It must not be contrary to equity, good conscience and must not be oppressive if it is to continue to enjoy the support of the majority of its practitioners.
Reports reaching our news desk from Ubiaja in Esan South East Local Government of Edo State have it that a particular cultural injunction that forbids the indigenes of Ugbeni, Oyomon, Eguare, and Idumuehan from marrying themselves or having any form of sexual contact, has continued to work hardship and caused several deaths. These communities, according to history, was founded by one man and his wife, and any sexual contact amongst the indigenes is viewed not only as incestuous , but also as an abomination.
According to information reaching our news desk, one Irhemu Sunday Idemudia is the latest victim of this manifestly obnoxious cultural rule. The said Irhemu Sunday Idemudia is said to have impregnated a fellow indigene of Eguare who happens to be the daughter of a powerful local politician (name withheld) . This development incurred the wrath of the village elders who saw it as particularly abominable given the fact that both Irhemu Sunday Idemudia and the girl (name withheld) are not just from the same commune, but from the same village.
According to a source that pleaded anonymity, the community has called an emergency meeting of elders where it was decided that the abomination deserved the maximum punishment and that an elaborate cleansing rite will be required. This cleansing rite involves exposing the culprits to extreme humiliation and pain infliction that has resulted in deaths.
This development, according to our anonymous source, led to the said Irhemu Sunday Idemudia running away from the community. Events, however, took an ugly turn, when the impregnated girl lost her life while trying to abort the child. The father of the girl is said to have become apoplectic on hearing about the death of her beloved daughter and the shame the whole event has caused him.
According to another source close to the influential politician , who also pleaded anonymity, the father of the deceased girl has vowed to use all means necessary to ensure that the runaway Irhemu Sunday Idemudia is apprehended whether dead or alive. The source also told our news crew that the aggrieved father of the deceased girl has some policemen on his payroll whom he has given instructions to have the fugitive lover tracked and eliminated.
In the meantime, our society continues to be plagued and hampered by unnecessary harmful practices under the guise of custom and tradition. These practices are more pronounced in rural areas where they continue to have a strong stranglehold on the people. It is, however, hoped that the government will have the will power and resolve to outlaw some of these manifestly oppressive practices.
As at press time, the whereabouts of the said Irhemu Sunday Idemudia is yet to be ascertained as a source told our news desk he might have left the country altogether having gotten winds of the nefarious plans of the father of the deceased.
