Imo Community To Abolish Osu, Other Practices January 4

A community in Isu local government area of Imo State, Amurie Omanze has set Thursday, January 4, 2024 as the date for the abrogation of all forms of obnoxious cultural practices such as Osu, Ohu, Ume and Diala caste systems.

A statement by executive director, POHAI, Mrs. Chinyere Oge-Kalu and made available to LEADERSHIP in Abuja, yesterday, said HRH Eze C.O Nnajiemere, (Eze Udo II of Amurie Omanze) disclosed this while addressing his subjects in his Palace, noting that the issue is now possible based on the frontline roles of Pillars of Hope Initiative (POHAI), National Human Rights Commission, Ga’nairu Family Foundation (GFF) and Kemdi Chino Opara Foundation (KCOF), through persistent advocacy.

Nnajiemere lamented that for the past three years, the community have been dragged into unnecessary conflicts and skirmishes on whether to abrogate these discriminatory cultural inhibitions that is known as a stone age practice ignorantly adopted, insisting that it is even an affront to the 21st century global social revolutions order.

He also said that the community on their own in August 14th, 2020 at his Palace of Peace initiated, constituted and inaugurated an Abolition Committee   in conjunction with the Eze-in-council ably led by Chief Nze Obinna Greg Madu of blessed memory who was as at then the cabinet chairman.

Eze Nnajiemere pointed out that the decision was taken in total agreement with all the village heads, kindred chairmen and their executives, all the town union exco members, Ndi Nze na Ozo, town union women wing, all the religious heads/clergy in the community, youth wing of all the villages in Amurie Omanze, abroad union representatives and other dignitaries from the community were witnesses to the historic resolution.

The Eze also disclosed that they all signed the abrogation document which empowered the committee to take off with the task.

The revered Royal Father further informed that the members of the committee were previously drawn as three persons from each of the five villages in Amurie Omanze which included Oboro and Bro. Boniface Osunwa from Ndiuhu was made the chairman while Comrade Charles Chukwu from Amaeze was appointed to be the secretary, adding that they  were allowed to co-opt some  stakeholders who volunteered to be part of the success story.

According to him, “However, an originating document detailing the decisions of the Eze, Eze-in-council, Ndi Nze na Ozo, the President General (PG) and the village heads in agreement to abrogate, abolish the obnoxious caste system which they described as very reprehensible, barbaric and absurd as well as the terms of reference to the Committee was duly signed by all concerned.

“The committee went into full action with groups, individuals and village to village consultation/awareness Campaign, prompting them to painstakingly make a comprehensive, well detailed and articulate report to the Palace and also made recommendations on the need for the community to adopt the recommendation for the abolition.”