The Och’Idoma and Paramount Ruler of Idoma Kingdom, Agaba’Idu Elaigwu Odogbo John, has issued a Royal Declaration calling for the reform or abolition of 25 harmful gender and cultural practices, including child marriage, female genital mutilation and unequal inheritance.
The declaration also challenges preference for sons over daughters, domestic violence and the belief that payment of bride price gives a man ownership of his wife.
The traditional ruler made the declaration at the Fathers4Equality Recognition Awards and Traditional Leaders Conference 2026 in Abuja, where fathers and traditional leaders were urged to promote responsible parenting, gender equality and an end to gender-based violence.
Organised by the African Centre for Leadership, Strategy and Development, Centre LSD, the conference, themed “Redefining Fatherhood for Equality and Justice,” focused on positive masculinity, male allyship and the role of fathers and traditional institutions in challenging harmful gender norms.
Speakers harped on the need for families to raise sons who see women as equals and daughters who know their worth.
They stressed that gender justice must begin not only in the courtroom or through policy, but also at home and within traditional institutions.
The Och’Idoma and Paramount Ruler of Idoma Kingdom, Agaba’Idu Elaigwu Odogbo John, listed 25 harmful gender and cultural practices in his Royal Declaration that he said must be reformed or discontinued.
They include child marriage, domestic violence, preference for sons over daughters, unequal inheritance, female genital mutilation and the belief that bride price gives ownership of a woman.
He urged fathers to educate their daughters equally, while calling on participants to take the resolutions of the conference back to their communities.
From the home to the palace, the message from the conference is clear: fatherhood must be built on responsibility, compassion and equality, with traditional institutions playing a key role in challenging harmful norms.
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Editor: Ada Ononye
