A bye law that defines and regulates the social and economic relationships and conduct of Gbagyis residing in Bida Emirate has been enacted.
The document, which was sighted by Eagle Online, contains prescriptions on the relationship between the Gbagyis and their host communities. It also highlights new ethical principles in marriages and gives more rights to women.
The initiator of the bye-laws and the Wakilin Gbagyis in Nupe Land, Alhaji Awaisu Muhammad Giwa Wana, said the bye-laws were borne out of the need to further peaceful coexistence amongst the Gbagyis and their host communities, address conflicts, and take proactive steps to maintain vigilance in the face of insecurity.
He said the bye-laws were achieved through wide consultations and the involvement of family cluster heads in getting their input and consent, revealing that the document would be subjected to reviews and updates as the need arose.
He called on all Gbagyis engaging in farming and other economic activities in Nupe Land to adhere strictly to the bye-laws and live in peace with their host communities by obeying their culture, customs, and traditions.
He thanked the Etsu Nupe, Alh Yahaya Abubakar, for the support, encouragement, and protection of Gbagyi interests in his emirate and promised to be loyal to the traditional institution.
The bye-law, a community effort to entrench harmonious relationships and peaceful coexistence amongst the Gbagyis, touched on issues such as marriages, farmlands, drug abuse, security, social and economic contracts with the host communities, and the abolishment of certain unwholesome practices.