By Princely Onyenwe, Imo
OWERRI (9News Nigeria) – As a matter of urgency to accord respect and dignity to corpses our beloved ones, a high-class traditional ruler in Imo state Nigeria, HRH EZE Morrison SJ Eke, Omadike of Umuoma Nekede has appealed to the legislative arm of government to consider establishing the department of public cemetery and mobilizing its managers for effective services.
This call was made to 9News Nigeria (Princely Onyenwe) from the United States of America on his tour to the public cemeteries in the country.
HRH EZE Morrison SJ Eke, PhD, OMADIKE-1 OF Umuoma Nekede Autonomous Community maintained that this can be achievable in Nigeria pleading with the States House of Assembly to sponsor and urgently pass a bill compelling traditional rulers of autonomous communities to explore possibilities of establishing public cemeteries in their domain.
Eze OMADIKE hinted that the establishment of public cemeteries will certainly curtail the unhealthy practice of turning family compounds into graveyards.
He further stated that we must accord respect and dignity to the corpses of the dead by burying them in a very serene environment planted with beautiful flowers and trees.
Such cemeteries deserve staffers that will regularly ensure proper maintenance and safety of the environment as well as keep away “scavengers of human parts”.
In his words, Eze OMADIKE Insists that we should resist every action that disturbs the peace of the dead and that includes burying them in midst of the living. Because “DEATH” puts an end to all worries, sorrows and indeed every affliction.
Therefore the Monarch added that the dead should be left to continue their rest in perfect serenity and mortal ignorance.
In furtherance to this call, it has been confirmed that because of the unavailability of space in most family compounds, water boreholes are dug meters away from the grave of a dead person and members of the family will be drinking, cooking and bathing with such water sucked from the ground the remains of a dead person was buried.
Worse still, many boreholes are dug near a soak away pit. In that regard, when sickness comes, the diagnosis becomes difficult and doubtful. We must not forget that most deceased People died of highly infectious and complicated diseases.
Even the cemeteries of many of the old generation churches are full to the brim and a particular space oftentimes have two or more dead bodies buried on the same grave. This is why it is necessary to act Immediately mandating every traditional ruler to designate land for the purpose of establishing cemeteries in their domain.
He seriously calls on the government using this medium to consider the call to enact a law on establishing public cemeteries as important.
9News Nigeria (Owerri)
For inquiries on this news contact 9News Nigeria Imo State @08036856526
