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Tor Tiv, the 5th His Royal Majesty, Prof. James Ayatse, over the weekend gave out his daughter, Dr Doofan Ayatse’s hand in marriage to Dr David Tsenu Agishi of Etulo, Buruku local government all of Benue state at just one thousand Naira (1000) as dowry.
Speaking at the traditional marriage in his palace, the paramount ruler said his concern is for the peace, love and progress of the couple but not the money hence according to him no amount of money can buy his daughter in the name of dowry.
He further revealed that the #1000 dowry will soon become a law in Tiv land to enable even the poor to marry
Recall that the wife of the Benue Governor, Mrs. Eunice Ortom, earlier this year appealed Tov Tiv, for a review of high bride-prices in Tiv land in order to enable young men get married when due.
Mrs Ortom decried the high demands made on young men seeking to marry Tiv daughters, and described the situation as “very discouraging”.
“Such high demands discourage many bachelors from even attempting to get married; the result is that many young girls cannot find husbands,” she said, adding that such exorbitant charges were not part of Tiv culture.“Such charges are imported; our traditional rulers should discard them,’ she said.
While noting that bride-price payment was sacrosanct in every marriage, she cautioned parents against selling their daughters especially since the relationship between in-laws remains, long after such marriage rites.
She highlighted that many young men now preferred to elope with their loved ones owing to such huge monetary demands, and stressed the need to make the process affordable so as to restore the sanctity of the marriage institution
