Oguta Traditional Leaders Abolish Age-Long Ohu and Osu Outcast System in Imo Community

In a landmark decision hailed as a major stride towards equality and unity, traditional and religious leaders of the Oguta community in Imo State have formally abolished the age-long Ohu and Osu outcast systems.

The historic proclamation was made on Sunday, November 2, 2025, signaling an end to a deeply rooted cultural practice that had for decades classified persons born into affected families as inferior. The system barred them from holding traditional positions, restricted their social interaction, and crucially, prohibited them from marrying into families considered “freeborn.”

The official declaration was delivered by Nduka Oduenyi, the Ogana (spokesman) to the traditional ruler of Oguta, Eze Nnani Eze-Eyiche. He announced that the long-standing practice, widely regarded as discriminatory and inconsistent with human dignity, “no longer exists in Oguta going forward.”

The abolition was the culmination of sustained advocacy and dialogue led by the Oguta Ohu Eradication Dialogue Group, a coalition comprising respected community leaders, scholars, professionals, clergy, and traditional title holders.

Mike Ogbonna, Chairman of the dialogue group, expressed immense satisfaction that the discriminatory practice had finally been consigned to history. “It took the efforts of many of us, both in the diaspora and in Nigeria, to achieve this. The outcast system has caused heartache and denied people opportunities, including traditional titles. As educated people, we consider it abominable,” he said.

With this public declaration, the leaders emphasized that all Oguta indigenes are now equal before God and man, and are free to inter-marry without any form of social segregation or reference to the caste system. The event was witnessed by a large gathering of prominent sons and daughters of Oguta, who are now expected to take steps to enforce the change across their kindreds.