The Benue State first lady, Eunice Ortom has appealed to the Tor Tiv-elect, James Ayatse to constitute a body which will look into the bride price in Tiv land.
The wife of the Governor while appealing to the traditional ruler elect noted that the expensive nature of the bride price in Tiv land has hindered most young women from getting married as at when due.
Mrs. Ortom further noted in her appeal that the high cost of bride price has lead to the increase in number of men who elope with Tiv women in order to avoid the bride-price payment.
While decrying the high demands made on young men seeking to marry women from Tiv land, Mrs Ortom who described the exorbitant nature as very discouraging said: “Such high demands discourage many bachelors from even attempting to get married; the result is that many young girls cannot find husbands.”
She added while soliciting that changes be made, “Such charges are imported; our traditional rulers should discard them.”
Mrs. Ortom during the visit noted that while the bride price is important, she cautioned families against selling their daughters “especially since the relationship between in-laws remains, long after such marriage rites”.
She added that it is regrettable that many young men npw prefer to elope with Tiv women for the fear of the high bride-price demands.
