See Anambra Burial Law that forbids poster, banner, aso ebi, etc – violation, 6mths jail term
Yinka ADETUNJI
Anambra state in Eastern Nigeria has decided to enforce a Law on burial obsequies passed by the state’s Legislature in 2019 and assented to by the then Governor Willie Obiano. This is according to tracknews.ng.
The primary intention of the Law is to reduce “vanities and obscenities” so as to cut down huge expenses usually commit ted to burial programmes by the people of the state.
Violation of the law attracts penalties which include six (6) months jail term, one hundred thousand naira (N100, 000) fine or both as the court may deem fit.
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Section 2 of the Law states that, ‘no persons should erect Bill boards, banners or posters of deceased persons anywhere in the state’, pegging the pushishment for the violation of the section at a fine of one hundred thousand naira or six months imprisonment or both as the court may deem fit.
Also, Sections 8 and 9 makes it compulsory for all burials to take place within 24 hours, as a means of cutting down the cost of prosecuting days of burial as obtained hitherto.
The incumbent state governor, Professor Charles Chukwuma Soludo, whose father, Pa (Nze) Simeon N. Soludo, died November 6, 2023, with burial slated for December 23, has now decided to enforce the law starting with his father’s funeral ceremony.
Announcing the funeral obsequies Tuesday, the family of late Pa (Nze) Soludo, father of Anambra State Governor, Prof Soludo, stressed the final rites of passage for their deceased father would witness no obscenities and vanities.
According to a statement signed by the elder brother to the governor, Chief Emma Soludo, the decision is in line the Anambra State Burial Law, 2019.
The Soludo family in the statement, expressed appreciation to friends and well-wishers for the outpouring of condolences since the demise of their partriarch, late Pa Simeon, on 6th November, 2023 at the age of 92.
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“Our father, father-in-law, grand-father and great-grand-father lived an impactful, fruitful, happy and fulfilled life. We tried to ensure that he enjoyed a ‘befitting living’.
“At his death, we plan to give him a decent burial/funeral, devoid of obscenities and vanity.
“Consequently, the burial/funeral will be in strict compliance with the Anambra State Burial Law (2019) no posters, billboards, brochures, asoebi, souvenir items, etc.
“Indeed, guests will only be served with foods and drinks made in Anambra/Nigeria.
“Date: Saturday, 23rd Dec. 2023.
“Burial Mass: 10am at St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, ISUOFIA, Aguata LGA, Anambra State.
“Condolences/Reception: Community Secondary School, ISUOFIA.
“Outing/Thanksgiving Service: Sun. 24th Dec. 2023, St. Theresa’s Catholic Church, ISUOFIA, Aguata LGA, Anambra State,” the statement concluded.
