Culture the Social heritage of the people or group could be referred to as the customs, ideas, beliefs and social behavior of a society or community. While Tradition is described as the transmission of customs and beliefs from people and communities through specific length of time and space.
Though Culture and Traditions are inter related but Traditional Culture may be defined as Customs, Beliefs and Ideas that have been institutionalized by practice from one generation to the other.
This historical Convention (written and unwritten) are often inherited from generation to generation, usually tends to over rides Religious beliefs and laws of the land due to ignorance and unverified practice.
It is believed that modern civilization and Emerging Developments should have overtaken some traditional Customs and Cultural behaviors within the African Society but regrettably, many families traditional culture dictates personal and family lifestyles.
Today in Nigeria, it is a worrisome development that Women abuse such as Female Genital Mutilation assault, rape, kidnapping and threat to life at different levels of our Community is fast becoming a daily occurrence threatening Peaceful Coexistence and Freedom to move around . There is no doubt that Insecurity and act of Criminality has taken over the Nigeria Society fabrics.
Undoubtedly, the Citizens have waited in vain hoping against hope when the law is going to imply Justice without any Judicial Bureaucratic process devoid of Technicalities because many of those Criminals either work freely in our society or kept in Custody without any Critical Punishment that will serve as deterrent to Others.
Disgusted, Demoralized, Down casted, Dejected and Devastated these are the adjectives that best described Adeola Olusegun state of mind and current style of life.
Born to a Christian Religion family that upholds the Ideal and Ideas of the Christian faith, little did Adeola who hails from Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun state and married to ChristIan Olakunle Olusegun from Ado-Ekiti Local Government Area, Ekiti State knows that sometimes in the future she would be going through a traumatizing experience that will lead to Psychological Warfare compelled by tradition and culture from her Husband's family (In laws).
The mother of three ( a boy and two girls) narrated her ordeal in the hands of her unloving and uncaring in law's. She narrated the harrowing experience she has been continually subjected to through the insistence of her ln laws in observing a Mandatory family tradition of Circumcision on her female children who are between the ages of 3 and 6 years.
Adeola posited that she is more determined and desperate to protect her children from any external aggression against her faith and religion no matter who's "ox is Gore". She described how this Emotional torture has been affecting her concentration and performance at work as a Banker.
Adeola Olusegun is just one of the few Nigerians constantly being subjected to various abuses arising from this archaic Culture and traditional practices in Nigeria and Africa as a whole.
Undoubtedly It is a worrisome development when inherited culture and traditions does not respect individual freedom to Religious beliefs and Association arising from diversity without imposition in line with Constitutional provisions.
With Several stories of how Circumcision leads to brain cells damage and all other negative implications, it is therefore better imagined than experience. Moreso that Several research have shown that the local process of carrying out Circumcision is Unchristian like.
In one of her Statement Adeola stated that" I have known Circumcision to be Unchristian like practice and I will not and never allow it.on any of my children."
She continued, I regretted getting married to a husband who's in-law failed to respect my choice of beliefs and religion and reiterated that she cannot continue to live her life in perpetual fear nor underestimate the consistency of threats from her Husband's family.
In Nigeria Society, consequent upon the distrust the Public have for the Police Force it had worsened Incidence such as this despite several reported cases at the Police stations,since victims do not have confidence in the Capacity of the Security arm to prosecute Perpetrators because in many occasions the Police had recommended amicable resolution that often compromise Justice.
Although, many attimes those who insisted not to subject their Children to the "whims and caprices" of culture and traditions are subjected to the influence of Voodoo. Notwithstanding, Government must demonstrate her capacity to implement the Bill it signed into law banning Female Genital Mutilations in order to bring to an end this life threatening tradition and culture.
As this negative development affects the psyche of victims and citizens the Nigeria Government must Stand up to her responsibility of protecting lives and Properties which is the Primary aim of Governance.
More so attempts must be made by Government and it's relevant agencies to protect her citizens through law making and it's Execution while judgement and justice must prevail over anyone who wants to explore archaic Traditions and Customs in violating the Fundamental rights and privileges; obligations and responsibilities of others.
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