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Abolition of Osu, other caste systems gets Delta monarch’s backing

By Emeka Nwachukwu
27 December 2018   |   3:47 am
Ahead of tomorrow’s abolition of the Osu and other caste systems at Agukwu Nri, Anambra State, by south east traditional rulers and religious leaders...

Ahead of tomorrow’s abolition of the Osu and other caste systems at Agukwu Nri, Anambra State, by south east traditional rulers and religious leaders, the Obi of Idumuje Kingdom in Delta State, Charles Anyasi III, has promised to back the exercise, confirming attendance with his entire cabinet

Chairman of the Eri Dynasty Traditional Rulers Forum, His Imperial Majesty, Eze Nkeli Nzekwe Kelly; regent of Nri Kingdom, Prince Ikenna Onyesoh; convener and president of Celibacy International Initiative, Joseph Okechukwu; and other south east leaders had announced that the abolition would take place at the Nri Palace, tomorrow.

They had warned of far-reaching consequences for those wishing to continue the obnoxious practice after the exercise.

King Anyasi III disclosed that he would be launching ‘Anioma: Resolving the Identity Crisis’, a book which traces the origin of the Anioma people of Delta to Agukwu Nri.

In a letter to the abolition organisers yesterday, he said: “I have been in contact with Mr. Joseph Okechukwu of Celibacy International on this issue. I wholeheartedly believe in the total eradication of this evil and therefore willing to partner.”

The Ohu, Ume and Osu caste systems are obnoxious practices in the south east and some part of the south south, which had torn families and friends apart for generations.

Osu is allegedly dedicated to a deity), while the Ohu is said to have inherited slavery in perpetuity. Neither Osu nor Ohu is allowed to inter-marry with the freeborn (nwa diala).

Convened by Celibacy International in conjunction with Njikota Umunri worldwide and Eri Dynasty traditional rulers, the abolition has been endorsed by Igbo socio-cultural organisations, including World Igbo Congress (WIC), Alaigbo Development Foundation (ADF), Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Lower Niger Congress (LNC), Global Igbo Alliance (GIA), Igbo Civil Societies Coalition.

Also, Christian groups, including the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Scripture Union (SU), the Methodist Church, Anglican Church and Catholic Church are in support of the abolition.

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