Monarch Warns Against Graves, Customary Meeting Halls Sale

The Chairman, Supreme Council of Ikwerre Government Recognised Traditional Rulers, Eze Oha Evo III of Evo Kingdom, HM. KING Leslie N. Eke (JP),  has warned against the sale of graves and Customary Meeting Halls (Obiri ) by some individuals in Ikwerre Land.

Eke, who is the Eze Gbakagbaka of Evo Kingdom, said this shortly after the monthly general meeting of Ikwerre Government Recognised Traditional Rulers at Ibaa, in Emohua Local Government Area, weekend.

He said such business have severe consequences emotionally, financially and otherwise.

According to him, selling a grave site where a loved one is buried can be traumatic for family members and may lead to future regrets.

“In our cultures, ancestral lands and burial sites hold significant cultural and spiritual value.

“Selling these lands can lead to the erasure of cultural heritage and traditions”, he said.

He also revealed that selling Customary Meeting Hall (Obiri), can result in the loss of community spaces and historic buildings.

These structures, he said, often serve as hubs for community events, social gatherings, and cultural activities.

The Nyerisi Mbam Oro Evo, emphasized that its  sale can lead to the displacement of community programs and the loss of social cohesion.

“Selling graves and customary meeting halls can also have unforeseen consequences. For example, maintenance costs for gravesites can be high, and selling them may not generate enough revenue to cover these expenses”,  he said.

He noted that selling graves and customary meeting halls are complex issues that require careful consideration of the emotional, cultural, and financial implications, adding that people should not only consider the immediate financial benefit.