In accordance with traditional Igbo culture and customs, the family of Mrs. Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, the widow of the former Governor of Ondo State, Gov. Rotimi Akeredolu, recently conducted the Mgbafu Mkpe ceremony. This ritual takes place shortly after the demise and burial of a woman's husband in Igbo land.
During the Mgbafu Mkpe ceremony, the family of the deceased husband expresses their desire to either retain the widow within their family or release her. If they choose to keep her, specific rituals are performed, and the widow is handed back to her husband's family. Conversely, if the husband's family decides not to retain her, additional rituals are conducted to free her from their ties.
The repossession celebration occurred on Sunday, March 31, 2024, at the Emeabiam Community in the Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State. The Anyanwu family made the decision to entrust their daughter to the younger brother of the former governor, Prof. Wole Akeredolu.
The pinnacle of the ceremony was the formal handover back to the Akeredolu family. Prior to this, the Akeredolus presented kola nuts, palm wine, and a she-goat to the Umuegeolu kindred, adhering to tradition. In response, Prof. Wole Akeredolu expressed gratitude on behalf of the Akeredolus. He informed the gathering of his elder brother's passing and pledged to continue caring for their wife, Chief Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, the esteemed Ada Owere 1.
Furthermore, he extended appreciation to those who offered condolences in Ibadan, Oyo State, and those who witnessed the interment of Gov. Akeredolu's remains in Owo on February 23, 2024.
The former first lady, who was clad in a black gown with a touch of white stripes and a dark sun shade, signalling that the mourning period was not yet over, did not respond after the ceremony. Present at the ceremony were Umuegeolu family members, Nde Mgboto Emeabiamn (Daughters of the soil), and Oha n’Ikoro Emeabiam (elders council).
Mrs. Akeredolu, however, posted photos of the ceremony on her Instagram handle, where the Umuegeolu kindred handed her over to her late husband’s immediate younger brother, signalling that she is still a part of Akeredolu’s family.
Recall that the late Gov. Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, fondly called Aketi, died in December 2023 after battling cancer. He was buried in February 2024. Weeks after his burial, his Owerri in-laws performed the traditional Mgbafu Mkpe ceremony for Betty Anyanwu-Akeredolu, his widow.