The Anambra State Government has introduced a comprehensive new burial law that prohibits the giving of expensive items such as cows, goats, and other lavish gifts during condolence visits. This move is widely seen as a significant effort to curb extravagant funeral practices that have long imposed heavy financial burdens on bereaved families.
Key Provisions of the New Law
Under the regulation, no person is allowed to give to the deceased person's family any condolence gift exceeding money, one jar of palm wine, one carton of beer, and one crate of soft drink. The law effectively outlaws the common practice of presenting cows, goats, bags of rice, and other costly items at funerals and condolence visits. Offenders face a fine of N100,000, six months' imprisonment, or both.
Limitations on Ceremonies
Beyond condolence gifts, the legislation contains far-reaching provisions aimed at reducing ostentatious burial ceremonies across the state. All burial ceremonies must be completed within one day, and wake-keep ceremonies have been abolished entirely. Vigil Masses, services of songs, and related religious activities must end by 9:00 p.m., and no food, drinks, live bands, or cultural entertainment may be provided during such events.
The law also prohibits the erection of billboards, banners, and posters of deceased persons anywhere in the state. Only directional signs leading to burial venues are permitted, and they cannot be displayed earlier than seven days before the burial date.
Swearing-In of New Commissioners
Meanwhile, Governor Chukwuma Soludo has sworn in 18 new commissioners, reminding them that their appointments are strictly a call to rigorous work, sacrifice, and public accountability, rather than personal celebration. So far, 20 commissioners have been inaugurated, including Tochukwu Nweke, who was earlier sworn in as the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, and Izuchukwu Okafor as Commissioner for Finance.
Among the 18 newly-sworn-in commissioners were Ben Odoemena (Agriculture); Chukwukadibia Okoye, FCCA (Budget and Economic Planning); Udoji Amedu (Culture, Entertainment and Tourism); Dr Ekene Ogugua (Education); Dr Clem Aguiyi (Environment); Dr Afam Obidike (Health); Dr Law Mefor (Information and Value Reformation); Prof. Offornze Amucheazi (Lands); and Vin Ezeaka (Local Council and Community Affairs), among others.
Performing the ceremony, Soludo charged the new commissioners to live up to expectations and justify the confidence reposed in them by the government. He reminded them that the decisions they make will directly impact the lives of over nine million residents of the state.
Also inaugurated were the Managing Director of the Anambra Road Traffic Agency (ARTMA), Mr Emeka Okonkwo; the Managing Director of the Awka Capital Territory Development Authority (ACTDA), Dr Ossy Onuko; the Managing Director of the Information Communication Technology Agency, Mr Fred Agbata; and the Managing Director of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), Obi Okonkwo, among others.
