A BILL FOR THE TOTAL ABOLISHMENT OF OSU AND UME PRACTICE IN IGBO LAND, NIGERIA, AND ADEQUATE COMPENSATION TO ITS VICTIMS..

Introduction:
Nigerians are known to hold dear their customs and traditions. Our belief is our strength and our weakness: strength in that it is an indispensable nexus with our past; and it is our weakness because some of our customs/traditions draw us back. In spite of their apparent benefits, some of them are dehumanizing and obsolete. This brings us to the real theme of this essay: the practice of
the ‘Osu’caste system in Nigeria, and its sociopolitical and civil rights implications.


As a democracy, no Nigerian by reason of social background should be exposed to discrimination. The caste system, which ostracizes the lower caste groups from the rest of their communities,violates the people’s civil rights. And the caste system, which has no place in any modern
society, has added to human misery in Nigeria.

Definition:
Osu caste system is an obnoxious practice among the Igbo in south east Nigeria which has
refused to go away despite the impact of Christianity, education and civilization, and the
human rights culture. (My take here comrade Osu is not only known in the South East Nigeria).
In any heterogeneous society, the population is normally subdivided into layers. This stratification
makes for clear distinctions of status or social class. Societies with ‘slave’ culture would reduce
some of their citizens to a sub-human status.

The Osu are not allowed to dance, drink, hold hands, associate or have sexual relations hip
with the Nwadiala. They are not even allowed to break kola nut at meetings or pour libation or pray to God on behalf of a freeborn at any community gathering.( Comrade in my place they do all these only that they don't inter marry).
It is believed that such prayers will bring calamity and misfortune.

Implications:
The Chapter 4 of the 1999 constitution as amended provides some fundamental rights for every Nigerian and the Osu system poses a contravention to it.
Section 42 (1,2 and 3) Specifically provides the citizens right against discrimination.. Paragraph a and b of (1) section 42 spelt it out even as (2) states that no Nigerian will be subjected to any disability or deprivation merely because of circumstances surrounding his birth.

Further more the evil practice contravenes Section 33, 34, 35, 36, 37, 38, 39 , 40, 41, 42 and 43 of the Nigerian Constitution as amended 1999 which is a slap to the supremacy of the law..
Having quoted the law, I, Rt Honourable Unabunwa Samuel hereby move the motion for the immediate ABOLISHMENT of the Osu practice which has subjected innocent Nigerians to extreme discrimination and infringement of their fundamental rights; and adequate compensation be paid to all those whose right has been trampled upon. I also call for an act that will enforce the strict adherence to the ABOLISHMENT and grave consequences for defaulters.

Benefits:
1. When this is achieved, Chapter 1, Part1, Section 1 of the 1999 constitution will be Established.
2. The Sufferings of the victims will be ameliorated.
3. The victims will confidently contribute their lot to the economy of that given community which shall rub off positively on the Nation's GDP.
4. Animosity engineered crime will be reduced..
5.Social reintegration will be achieved
Et al
The benefits of establishing an act in consonants to the proposed bill are enormous and I know it will be one of the greatest achievement of NASS if this is established.
Long live the Federal Republic Of Nigeria.

 Proposed by:
Rt Hon Unabunwa Samuel Wesley Blaze
(Rt Hon Samuel Unabunwa is the Ag. Speaker, Common Man Parliament)
He is a son (NwaDiala) of Ekwereazu Ogwa in Mbaitoli LGA of Imo State.