High bride price destroying marriage in Igbo land – Anglican cleric

By Cyprian Ebele, Onitsha 

A senior cleric in the  Diocese of Niger, Anglican Communion, Anambra State, Rev Canon Ugochukwu Ogoegbunam, has raised serious concerns over what he described as the “outrageous and condemnable” high bride price culture in Igboland.

 He warned that the age-long practice was contributing to the decline of the marriage institution in the region.

Delivering a sermon at Calvary Chapel, GRA, Onitsha, Rev Canon Ogoegbunam lamented that many intending husbands were forced to sell land or other valuable properties in order to meet the financial demands associated with traditional marriage rites.

 “Today, before a man marries, he would first sell land or something tangible,” he said.  “Some umunna (kindred) even increase the marriage list given to suitors for a daughter they did not contribute to. It is shameful and must be condemned”, he emphasized.

 Rev Canon Ogunoegbunam who is the Chaplain to the Bishop of Niger, noted that after “such excessive demands, society still turns around to lament that marriages are failing. Why won’t the institution die when we have held it hostage?” he asked.

The cleric also attributed the rise in informal cohabitation and elopement among young women to the burdens apparently placed on men seeking marriage. 

 He explained that similar burdens on people had given vent to the formation of various”committees of friends”, whose purpose he said was to assist friends raise money.

 According to him, “We blame young girls for running off with men, calling them rebellious, but we are the ones who created the problem. What is giving out one’s daughter in marriage if not to wish her blessings and happiness?”

 Rev Ogunoegbunam criticized the growing materialism among christians, pointing out that many had prioritized wealth and tradition over the values of the Kingdom of God. 

 Irked by the way he said some people go after material things, he remarked,  “Look, let me tell you, even if all the drinks in the world are brought to you, you won’t be satisfied. We say we are christians, yet we treasure what we should be rejecting,” he added.

Family of Woman Killed by Police Officer in Calabar Alleges Neglect, Demands Support

 He condemned idolatry practices like “okite” and “ezenwanyi” (forms of traditional rituals and spiritualism) as incompatible with christian life, urging believers to stop mixing worldly customs with godly standards. 

 “You don’t join two kingdoms. God’s kingdom runs on obedience and power. Every kingdom operates by instruction, and ours is based on the Bible.”

 He challenged christians to actively work toward the establishment of God’s kingdom through righteous living, hard work, and faithfulness. 

“Get something doing — God doesn’t bless a vacuum. Abide by divine instruction. If we fail, we’re leaving a bigger problem for the next generation,” he warned.