The wife of the Cross River State governor, Rev. Mrs. Eyoanwan Bassey Edet Otu, is determined to abolish the ancient practice of money marriage in Cross River North. This practice involves underage girls given out in marriage by their parents to older men for various reasons and mainly to settle debt burdens. This is a welcome development which has been applauded by many in different quarters of the state given the exploitative nature of this ancient practice.
Fathers of victims connive with older suitors, collecting money, yam tubers and other material gains in exchange for their young daughters, most of who are underage and have no say against this tradition. This ancient tradition is practiced by people of Belegate and Becheve communities also in Obanlikwu local government area of Cross River.
Victims of money marriage who are basically underage girls, are often given out in marriage to aged men for as low as N,5000 or tubers of yam for bride price. The sad part is that residents of these communities see nothing wrong with the practice, as it is self serving. Most indigenes of these communities pretend it is normal and dare not fight against it for reprisal.
Wife of the state governor, Rev. Mrs. Eyoawan Bassey Otu, began working out modalities with community stakeholders, including the paramount ruler of Obanlikwu HRM Uchua Amos Item, to ensure that the tradition is laid to rest.
To ensure that victims receive rehabilitation and to further prevent them falling prey to this custom, Mrs Otu carried out a plan to get the victims empowered and to abolish this ugly trend. She further promised to stand in solidarity with the people of Belegete community as they continue their journey towards progress and positive change.
Commenting on the issue, Obanlikwu Paramount Ruler HRM Uchua Amos Item, commended Rev. Mrs. Otu for joining forces with him and other agencies who had been mounting pressure since 2019, calling for abolition of this ancient tradition.
“There have been press conferences since 2019 where the conveners of the press conference mounted pressure that the tradition be abolished,” he said.
Also speaking, a community leader in Obanlikwu, Mr. David Ekunke, said that although he got married to three wives through the money marriage tradition, before pressure came from different quarters that money marriage should be abolished, he had already allowed them marry men of their choices.
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