A one day Consultative Meeting/Sensitization Campaign on the Violence Against Person Prosecution Law (VAPPL) to end the practice of Sky Burial and its implications in Akoko Edo, with the Theme: ‘Unite and Prevent The Practice of Sky Burial was the focus of the consultative meeting.’
In her opening remarks, the Edo State Commissioner of Social Development and Gender Issues, Mrs. Christabel Omoh Ekwu, in condemning the evil practices of Sky Burial and to formulate a reforms for the eradication of this evil practices in some communities in Edo State.
The reforms according to her is aimed at addressing the issue of Sky Burial through community enlightenment and awareness campaigns targeted at changing attitudes and behaviours towards Sky Burial. She also said it was a legal offense to practice this evil act and that people should let the dead be buried and rest in peace instead of exposing the land to ritualist, and scavengers.
She vowed that the State Ministry of Social Development and Gender Issues will continue to condemn Sky Burial practices and also continue to collaborate with Josémaria Escriva Foundation (JOSEF) and other relevant stakeholders across the community.
The Commissioner of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Monday Osaigbovo, called on the traditional rulers in the affected communities to identify a suitable area to government to serve as cemeteries.
On his part, the Commissioner of Health, Mr. Samuel Alli, represented by Dr. Edward Aisowieren noted that “this is an unhealthy practice, that could cause some health hazards, spread of diseases amongst others.
In addition to victimisation of the people particularly the poor. It creates room for body parts of relations and loved ones to be used for rituals and other fetish purposes, which of course can never be what we wish for our loved ones.
Similarly, the Honourable Commissioner for Environment and Sustainable Development, Arc. Joshua Omokhiodion represented by Mr. Omozusi James, said that “the funny part of the practice is that some animals feed on them and at the end we end up eating these animals like bush meat.
“Also, when rain falls it washes the corpses to our streams and we end up using the contaminated water for drinking, washing etc there by causing undefined health and environmental challenges.”
The Chairman of Akoko Edo Local Government Council, Hon. Tajudeen Suleiman, called on the traditional institution in the locality to unite and eradicate the evil practices of Sky Burial. He appealed that as a people we should learn to live a good life so that together we have a better and prosperous community.
The Chief Responsibility Officer(CRO) of JOSEF, Dr. Jude Obasanmi, thanked all the traditional rulers present and said that Sky Burial is an age long traditional practice and called for its total eradication. He appealed to the Edo State Government to do the needful and come out with reforms that will uplift the standard of living in the locality.
The highlight of the event was the review of the Edo State Violence Against Person Prosecution Law (VAPPL) by Mrs. Lauretta Asaka Esq, representing Barrister Oluwole Osazee Uzi, Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Edo State.
A panel conversation where Ms. Priscila Usibaifo of BHI took the panelist through a review of bad and good traditional practices that are enimical to development.
All the traditional rulers and security personnel present all pledged to advance their commitment in eradicating Sky Burial in their community and the protection of their environment.
Some of the prominent traditional rulers present were the representative of the Otaru of Igarra, the Imma of Somorika HRH O.J. Idiaye; the Okogbe of Ojah HRH D.S. Lawani; Oluimoga of Imoga, HRH Patrick C. M. Adudu and Chief Mike Balogun, the Omuafemonia of Ososo, amongst others.
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