THE apex rul ing body i n Okpanam kingdom in Oshimili North Local Government Area, Ugoani-in-Council, has adopted some reform measures for the effective administration of the community.
The reform measures were adopted sequel to the submission of its report by the traditional/ Customary matters committee of the Council at its recent meeting in Ugoani palace.
Council in session resolved that the era of Eze Ofuani had gone and mandated Ogbe-Obi quarters to abide by the tradition of Okpanam by bestowing all rights and privileges accruing to Alor title holders on Alor title holders of Ogbe-Obi.
On Alor title, it was agreed that an Alor title holder is deemed an impostor, when the holder did not receive the approval of the Diokpa of the village, Oko and the Ugoani of Okpanam. Offenders are liable to a fine of N1 million, one she got, five cartons of assorted beer, one hot drink, Alligator pepper, kola nuts for both the installed and installer.
The age bracket for taking Alor title was pegged at 50 years and above, while the slaughtering of Ewu Ikenga/Ifejioku is restricted to the house of the bereaved family and not the Ogwa. If a Christian is being buried, the Council resolved that the slaughtering of goat should be on common ground and any offender shall pay a fine of N200,000, and a she goat.
The new Bye- law stipulates that any divorce that is seven years and above, no wife can observe burial rites, but if the fault comes from the man or the wife, the defaulters should pay N200,000, kill a goat and go to Offor if the wife is the defaulter. The Bye- law also makes it an offence for any woman that does not observe the burial rites of the husband whether Christian or non-Christian. It stipulates that such a woman should be excommunicated until the needful is done.
According to the Bye- law as adopted by the Council, non-title holders are barred from putting on or wearing of beads be it rubber or Akai. Any offender shall pay the sum of N500,000 and one she goat. The whole villages are expected to enforce the fine and communicate the Council promptly.
