Anam River Boat Mishap: Primitive Culture Must Give Way To Human Dignity, By Inibehe Effiong

REMINISCING ON THE CASE OF LATE JUSTINA WHO DIED IN IDANRE

In 2016, one Mrs. Justina Joshua, a pregnant Akwa Ibom woman living in Idanre, Ondo State was killed by a tree felling accident in the community.

The Oba of Idanre and other leaders of the community at the time insisted that the corpse of the deceased must be buried in the forest beside the same tree that resulted in her unfortunate death as a sacrifice.

They claimed this had to be done in consonance with the culture and tradition of Idanre people.

The Akwa Ibom community in Ondo was helpless and unable to get the woman’s corpse released for proper funeral.

Following the stand-off, I swung into action together with the State Director of the Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, Mrs. Kuku Ikpidungise and the President Akwa Ibom Community in Ondo State, Comrade Akpan Young.

We insisted that the corpse must be released unconditionally, and be transported safely to Akwa Ibom for proper burial. We held difficult meetings with the police and the Oba of Idanre.

Eventually, the controversial culture had to give way to common sense and human dignity.

I recall the intimidating encounter we had at the place of the Owa of Idanre.

The attached photographs were taken during that struggle (I’m the young man in suit 😂).

I am recounting this sad story because of the offensive reports in the media that late Miss Abigail, the makeup artist from Akwa Ibom State who died in the boat mishap at Anam River in Anambra State was hurriedly buried because her family could not afford the cost of performing the so-called traditional rites and sacrifices that needed to be performed before the corpse can be taken elsewhere for burial.

I find these reports extremely annoying and disrespectful to the deceased and her loved ones. We cannot continue to dwell on superstitions while the rest of the world is exploring the space and advancing in science and technology.

Human beings should not be slaves to any primitive culture.

I am happy to read that the Akwa Ibom State Government has taken measures to ensure that the corpse of the late Miss Abigail is exhumed for proper burial at home. Those who insist on performing such a sacrifice in this age can offer themselves as sacrifice to the water spirit or whatever imaginary principalities they subscribe to.