The Imo State House of Assembly has decried the discrimination of some set of indigenes in Igboland regarded as outcasts.
This move followed a bill in the Imo State House of Assembly sponsored by the member representing Ideato-north state constituency, Arthur Egwim, which prescribed stringent punishment both for the practice and enforceability of any disability arising from there.
While leading the debate, the lawmaker said the issue of outcasts (osu-diala divide) had dragged the Igbo race many steps backward, calling for its immediate abolition.
“It is dehumanizing to regard some people created by God as outcasts.”
“Inspite of the crusade against this obnoxious practice in Igboland, it is still spreading like wildfire.”
“This has affected both our cultural and religious life. There is an urgent need to abolish this practice.”
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“This bill, if eventually passed into law, will go a long way in redressing the cultural ills of Igbo people and redeem their image before the international community,” he concluded.
The bill has scaled through second reading and committed to the House Committee on Gender and Vulnerable Groups.
