Assembly Battles Child Abandonment, Single Motherhood In Akwa Ibom

The Akwa Ibom State House of Assembly has expressed concern over rising cases of single mothers and abandoned children in the state, attributing the ugly trend to high bride prices and exorbitant demands for marriage rites by parents.

Checks by LEADERSHIP Weekend revealed that with the prevailing socio-economic challenges, most vulnerable homes have upped their takes in marriage by including compulsory items like motorcycles for the brides’ parents, house renovation and other sundry items for extended relatives from both the maternal and paternal sides, forcing the would-be suitors to flee.

“In some places like Ibiono Ibom, parts of Uyo, Nsit Atai, and other Ibibio-speaking local government areas, for the first female child called ‘Adiaha ‘ in local parlance, stringent traditional rites whereby live goat, lamp and assorted items like yams, palm oil and other edibles are buried under the ground in a sacrifice of appeasing the gods, called ‘agwa aduongo’ before the eventual marriage.

“Any family that ignores this ancient tradition runs the risk of their daughter not giving birth after marriage,” a community leader in Ibiono Ibom, Etteidung Effiiong Inyang, explained.

“In Nsit Atai, if a woman is married without full observation of the marriage rites, the woman would be haunted, and if she eventually dies, the corpse, even if it’s been buried, would be exhumed and the remains returned to her native home,” Bassey Iniekpe, a local resident of Odot, headquarters of the council stated.

“In parts of Annang-speaking parts of the state, motorcycles are included in the list for the intended bride’s parents and renovation of the house before marriage, especially in some instances whereby the would – be bride had been trained to graduate level or in any lucrative vocation,” Adede Sampson Uko, added.

He, therefore, expressed dismay that “these ancient and unpopular practices have forced most young men to shun early marriages, while most young ladies have been driven into bearing and breeding children out of wedlock with several abandoned children increase the numbers of out – of – children roaming the streets”.

Worried by the alarming cases of single parents and stranded children, the House of Assembly has taken steps toward addressing the growing concerns posed by excessive bride price and marriage requirements in communities across the state.

Towards mitigating the near-crisis situation, the House of Assembly has waded-in, acting on a motion by the member representing Ikot Abasi/Eastern Obolo State Constituency, Hon Selinah Isotuk Ukpatu.

While presenting the motion during plenary, Mrs Ukpatu noted that “marriage remains a vital social institution that promotes family stability, social cohesion, and societal development.”

She, however, expressed concern that the increasing commercialisation of traditional marriage rites has placed enormous financial pressure on intending couples.

According to the lawmaker, exorbitant bride prices and inflated lists of marriage requirements have made marriage increasingly unaffordable for many young people, thereby contributing to delayed marriages and other social challenges.

Hon Ukpatu observed that while cultural traditions must be preserved, prevailing economic realities demand a balanced approach that will ensure that marriage remains accessible and affordable for citizens, particularly young adults seeking to establish families.

Consequently, the House urged the State Traditional Rulers Council (TRC) to “review and standardise bride prices and marriage requirements across various communities in the state.”

The lawmakers also called on the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, to collaborate with traditional institutions and local government authorities to ensure compliance with approved guidelines.

The Assembly, therefore, mandated its House Committee on Culture and Tourism to engage relevant stakeholders and develop recommendations aimed at promoting affordable and culturally acceptable marriage practices throughout the state.

The motion also requested the Ministry of Information and the state-run Akwa Ibom Broadcasting Corporation (AKBC), to embark on extensive public enlightenment campaigns, highlighting the social and economic implications of excessive bride prices and exploitative marriage demands.

Also, relevant government departments and agencies were directed to “monitor the implementation of any approved measures and report back to the House for further legislative action where necessary.”

The motion received unanimous support from members of the Assembly, who described the initiative as timely and beneficial to young people and families across the State.

Many lawmakers argued that reducing the financial barriers associated with marriage would encourage family formation, strengthen social values, and promote community development.

Ruling on the motion, the speaker, Rt Hon Udeme Otong, commended the sponsor and members for their contributions and subsequently directed the clerk of the House, Mrs Nsikakabasi Orok, to communicate the resolutions of the House to the relevant authorities for necessary action.