Imo community set to abolish Osu, Ume, Ohu caste systems

Amurie Omanze, an ancient community in Isu Local Government Area of Imo State said they are no longer at home with some of their traditions.

The community set Thursday, January 4, 2024 as a date for what they described as the historical abrogation of all forms of obnoxious cultural practices.

This cultures include OSU, Ohu, Ume and Diala caste systems in the entire community and its incline.

The statement said that His Royal Highness, Eze C.O Nnajiemere, (Eze Udo II of Amurie Omanze) disclosed this while addressing his subjects in his Palace on Friday.

Eze 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 aged ignorantly adopted man inhumanity to fellow man, insisting that it is even an affront to the 21st century global social revolutions order.

He also recalled 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 the 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.

He said they have all signed the abrogation document which empowered the Committee to take off with the task.

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” he said.

According to the Royal Father, “as of today, a date has been slated for the public pronouncement of the abrogation of the obnoxious caste system (Osu/Ume/Ohu/Diala). The abrogation event will take place 4th January, 2024.

“To be candid, the stipulation and eventual acceptance of a set date for the abrogation of all forms of caste system in Amurie is and still a mystery that only the spiritually minded can decipher.”