The people of Igbu-Akoh kingdom over the weekenrd gathered in their ancestral home of Ula-Ehuda Community for the unveiling of the 2024 ammended Marriage/Burial bye-kaws which was targeted at reducing the high rate of bride price in Akoh land as well as creating an enabling environment for young generation of the kingdom to fulfill the ancient law of marriage as well as performing burial rites without tears considering the economic reality in the country.
A statement on Monday 22nd July,2024 by Cassius Nwikoro,Media and Publicity Aide to the Igbu-Akoh Palace, disclosed that
His Majesty, Eze (Hon) Cassidy O.W. Ikegbidi Eze Igbu-Akoh II, while unveiling the ammended Bye-laws ordered for immediate implementation.
HRM Eze Ikegbidi, urged parents to give out their daughters for marriage with only a token as God has given them freely and beat the temptation of using the natural union of marriage for self enrichment and personal anggradisement.
Eze Ikegbidi recalled how some girls have grown old while in their father’s house because of the unaffordability of the bride price.
He charged unmarried men to avail themselves of the ammended bye-laws and avail themselves of the opportunity of getting married as the fulfilment of God’s law, positing that the sum of one hundred and fifty thousand (150,000.00) naira can get one a good wife in Igbu-Akoh Kingdom.
The Bye-law also provides that burial ceremonies should not exceed two(2) days in Akoh Kingdom, including the day of interment, stressing that the burial Bye-law has prohibited the unnecessary practice of over-charging the bereaved families by maternal homes before and after burial which sometimes results to selling of properties and placing the families on undue stress and indebtedness.
He commended members of the bye-law amendment committee for excellent work in making the day’s occasion a reality.
The occasion was colourful and had in attendance, the Chairman of the Interim Management Committee of Ahoada East Local Government Council Honourable Happy Bennett and other known personalities from all walks of life including traditional rulers. The ceremony also featured traditional wrestling among others.