Osinachi Nwachukwu: ‘Domestic Violence Goes Beyond Scriptural Quotes’ | Ankomah Evans
Written by Ankomah Evans | Edited by Arakunrin Lekan
Nigeria woke to the gory news of the death of a popular Nigerian gospel singer, Osinachi Nwachukwu, on Friday, April 8, at a hospital in Abuja.
A disturbing testimony on her case stated from close family sources that she died of complications resulting from domestic violence. This sparked mass outrage, leading to the arrest of her husband according to reports.
Diverse commentaries have passed since then, but regardless of the lens with which one decides to look at the situation, it can be acceptable that no one has to go through that much agony and ordeal. I am pained to great bits putting together words that I hope would do a fine job in articulating my thoughts.
The whole marriage thing is an institution that needs to be looked at again with painstaking eyes and I’m being very candid here.
Couples should be encouraged to call it quit when the damage becomes irreparable because at the end of the day, we’re humans and there’s only so much a person can take. Mental health is a thing not to be trifled with because we’re talking about the sanity of a human.
You probably have an idea of how important that is but if you don’t, please revisit that line again because it is extremely imperative you have this understanding.
We as a people still seemingly has little appreciation for the importance of mental health but I’m calling every conscious mind which includes you and me to start making considerable efforts in prioritizing the state of our minds and what it is we can tolerate and what we cannot regardless of whatever society tags our choices with.
And to the religion debate, a time immemorial debate.
The Church has to realize that times have changed and biblical quotations shouldn’t be used as a basis for avoiding necessary decisions.
It’s time we realise that of all things, life is sacred – the essence of existence, and whatever union puts that in jeopardy should come under intense question. Putting first a union that puts life at risk is a fault the Church should reconsider.
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Else, the Church will end up killing more people than any crime in the history of humanity. Yes I know that is an extreme thing to say but what is more extreme than a matter of life and death. Anything that doesn’t adapt to changes will bring death, not a state of comatose, simply DEATH.
The verdict of the Church disapproves of divorce, calling it a sin in many scenarios – a stance that has made domestic violence a kind of a norm, and a justification in this part of the world.
Victims are encouraged by Church elders to rather endure than go against what “God hates.” This is a crime not justifiable by scriptural quotes in whatever view it’s placed to assume.
The Church must encourage couples who not just have certain difficulties in their marriages but also have non-fixable differences to voice out their concerns and subsequently be bolder with talks of divorce where necessary.
Domestic abuse is something beyond grotesque, and shame on any man that has ever lifted a finger on his wife or fiancée, how abysmal could such a man be?
In the words of the Church, “God hates divorce,” but I believe He hates violence even more, and cherishes life above all.
Choose life first.
Written by Ankomah Evans | Edited by Arakunrin Lekan
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of TheAfricanDream.net
Abeeb Lekan Sodiq is a Managing Editor & Writer at theafricandream.net. He is as well a Graphics Designer and also known as Arakunrin Lekan.
