Our worries for widows
- Bamishigbin
By SOLA BALOGUN
Friday, February 8, 2008
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Bamishigbin
Pix: Sun News Publishing |
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Can every widow be right in her claims over her husband’s
property especially in a law court? Yes she can. But what
happens afterwards when relations of her late hubby unleash
terror on her for making life difficult for them? What if
they resorted to tradition to resolve the matter just because
the widow wouldn’t share any of her inheritance with
anyone except her children?
The usual story about widowhood is simple. It always involves
a group of young men better known as brothers of the late
husband but who would raise issues with the wife. First, they
would accuse her of being responsible for the death of their
brother and second, they would demand that she undergoes certain
rituals which are meant to ascertain her innocence over the
husband’s demise.
But far from the foregoing, a new movie, Igba N bajo written
by Professor Akinwunmi Ishola and directed by Tunji Bamishigbin
for RemDel Optimum Communication, offers a fresh perspective
into the myth of widowhood. Just last week, the RemDel crew
stormed Akure, capital of Ondo State, to shoot major episodes
of the star-studded movie. The crew visited homes, offices
and the court premises where Bamishigbin worked on the artistes
to make a unique statement about widowhood. The central message
is that people should respect tradition rather than rely on
the law courts to resolve family feuds. Tradition and culture
it was asserted always bind Africans together, the saying
that blood is ticker than water easily subsists as a proof.
Bamishigbin, versatile director and cinematographer is currently
directing the movie for RemDel with a mission to place African
culture where it rightly belongs.
Also, Mrs. Biodun Ibitola, chief executive officer of RemDel,
told Daily Sun that she has studied the plight
of widows as portrayed in Nigerian movies or books, and resolved
that the issue of widowhood should not be as hard as people
go about it.
According to Ibitola, “ I have heard many cases in which
women (widows) have died in the unending fight to acquire
their husband’s property. Yes many of them may win in
the law courts but the law cannot be bigger than our culture,
which places communal living and tradition above all forms
of alien values, including the common law for which Nigeria
is known today.
Said Ibitola, “ In this (African) part of the world,
our culture is paramount. Our statement in this movie is not
to condemn widows or deny them their rights but we are out
to say that women (particularly widows) should not allow greed
and material wealth to overwhelm them to the extent of disowning
relations of their husbands. Some of the problems facing widows
today are caused by women themselves. How did they ( women)
relate to their in-laws when their hubbies were alive? Many
women should learn how to practise love and maintain peace
with their in-laws in case of the inevitable. ”
The new movie depicts the pains widows unleash on dependants
and the bereaved family members. Igba N bajo is set in modern
Nigeria and it tells the story of Wuraola ( Bukky Wright)
whose husband, Wale (Taiwo Adeyemi), a successful businessman
and breadwinner of his family, dies intestate. The death leaves
many of his relations shattered and hopeless. Meanwhile his
siblings, including several dependants and his aged mother
who are full of hopes that the wife of the bereaved would
continue to cater for their needs from his vast estate.
But Wuraola on the prompting of Barrister Ofinga ( Akin Lewis),
thinks otherwise. He believes Wuraola should jealously protect
her late husband’s estate and shun all entreaties from
her in-laws for assistance. Tension heightens, conflicts rage
and Wuraola seeks redress in the court of law following threats
by her late husband’s siblings-Adio ( Gbemisola Adeoti)
and Dola ( Ganiyat Ogundele).
Igab N bajo showcases the raging conflict between our cultural
values and modernity as represented by the principles of common
law, which states that in the absence of a will ( intestate),
the estate of the deceased belongs to the children, who in
cases they are under aged, would be administered by their
mother. This practice sharply contracts with African family
values which abhors discrimination between nuclear and extended
families.
The movie, unlike scores of its ilk on widows that have drawn
sympathy for widows, would elicit pathos for the bereaved
family members and dependants who suffer rejection from heartless
widows who though may win in the court of law but lose in
the public court.
Igba N Bajo also parades an array of tested and reliable role
interpreters including Prof. Akinwunmi Ishola and Alagba Falati,
who narrate the story. Other veterans on the cast list include:
Tubosun Odunsi, Kareem Adepoju, Ayo Mogaji of the Feyikogbon
fame and Kola Oyewo. Veteran actresses include: Biodun Duro
Ladipo, popularly known as Oya and ageless Margaret Adejobi
of Kootu Asipa fame.
Bamishigbin studied Performing Arts at the University of Ilorin
where he specialized in directing and cinematography. He has
since graduation anchored many screen works. He has been able
to distinguish himself as a serious theatre director both
for the stage and screen.
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