Royal father moves against forced marriage, discriminations in Abia

Eze Godfrey Onwuka has enjoined the people of Umutowe autonomous community, Olokoro, Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia State to jettison traditions that deny women and the girl-child equal opportunities with the male folk. Eze Onwuka, who is the traditional ruler of Umutowe autonomous community, gave the advice in his palace in Olokoro during […]

Royal father moves against forced marriage, discriminations in Abia

Eze Godfrey Onwuka has enjoined the people of Umutowe autonomous community, Olokoro, Umuahia South Local Government Area of Abia State to jettison traditions that deny women and the girl-child equal opportunities with the male folk.

Eze Onwuka, who is the traditional ruler of Umutowe autonomous community, gave the advice in his palace in Olokoro during an enlarged cabinet meeting that involved his cabinet members, chairmen and chair-ladies and youth leaders of the villages that made up the community.

The royal father warned that forced/child marriage, female genital mutilation, gender-based violence, among others, are offences punishable by law.

He encouraged his people to practise and preach the message of gender equality and carry the sensitisation to all the doorsteps of the residents of Umutowe autonomous community.

Eze Onwuka revealed the preparedness of his community to come up with a formidable local vigilante group before the end of the month, which he disclosed would be inaugurated by the police.

He warned those housing criminal elements in their incomplete buildings to turn a new leaf as any building turned to hideout for kidnappers or other criminals would be demolished.