By Igbotako Nowinta – Alltimepost.com Nig Bureau Chief
A Nigerian youth and Christian from Ibhiohulu-Nwessan, Irrua in Edo State of Nigeria has cried out for help to save him from his octogenarian uncle who has allegedly mounted serious pressure on him to be initiated into the village age grade or group cult.
Mr. Osaro Ebhozele Ujadughele recently told Alltimepost.com in Benin City, that the issue, and his refusal to yield to such pressure have resulted in verbal and physical combat between him and his uncle, who is said to be a member of the village Elder’s Council, a governing body that oversees age grade or group initiations.
According to him: “because I reside in the village my uncle has threatened to use police to arrest me…and the youths of the community have been informed to force me into the initiation ceremony that normally comes up between November and December annually.”
Osaro who is a devoted member of St Augustine Catholic Church, Benin City, Edo State, said that his Christian faith forbids him to be initiated into what he called “an evil village ritual.”
He made a passionate plea to the law enforcement agencies and members of the civil society groups in Edo state to come to his aid.
He wants his 82-year old uneducated uncle to be stopped from harassing and compelling him to be initiated against his fundamental human rights to his religious conviction.
Ujadughele, a university graduate was of the opinion that though the age group or grade initiation ceremony exists according to the customs of his community to prepare young men into adulthood, there was nowhere it enshrined as a compulsory ritual.
“It is supposed to be a voluntary obligation; my uncle was just being overzealous and cruel over the whole matter,” he regretted.
All attempts to reach his uncle, village head and youth leader for comments proved abortive.
