This is just as the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), for the Delta South Senatorial District hinted on how former Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Francis Fedode Tabai CON, lost eight of his siblings to a cruel tradition that subsisted Tuomo clan in Burutu Local Government Area the State.
TribuneOnline reports that the seventy-six-year-old Tabai was, on Saturday, handed a staff of office as the new traditional ruler of Tuomo clan in Burutu Local Government Area by the Delta State government.
Uduaghan described Tabai as an only child not because his late parents didn’t birth more children, but because of the obnoxious tradition that forbade keeping twins alive.
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According to the Itsekiri-born APC chieftain, Justice Tabai’s mother had two sets of twins before he (Tabai) was born, “He was a single birth. After him, the mother had two more sets of twins.”
He said the eight twin children were thrown into the high seas as the then tradition dictated while Tabai, whom he described as having achieved a lot in life, survived the cruel fate because he was born alone.
“My elder and friend Francis Fedode Tabai CON, Rt. Justice of the Supreme Court, was yesterday handed the staff of office by the Delta State Govt as the traditional ruler of Tuomo clan in Burutu Local Government Area of the State.
“HRM Rt Justice Tabai has a very rich CV. At 76 years, he has achieved a lot in life at the Federal. Rivers, Bayelsa and Delta States. All these achievements were under his control.
“Something was, however, not under his control. He is an only child, having lost eight siblings to the then cruel customs and traditions.
“Like several traditions in our communities back then, twin children were Murdered.
“HRM’s mum, had two sets of twins before he was born. He was a single birth. After him, the mother had two more sets of twins.
“All The Sets Of Twins Were Thrown Into The High Sea To Drown Within Hours Of Being Born. That was the tradition then, so he lost eight siblings,” Uduaghan narrated in his Facebook wall on Sunday.
The former governor portrayed the emotional revelation as it was being relayed on Saturday during the staff presentation, saying it drew goose pimples out of listeners in the scorching sun.
“As the story was being told at the ceremony yesterday, people developed goose pimples even under the hot sun. I was imagining what those children would have become today.
“Happily we were told that a few years after that, it took a bold and courageous headmaster, a lot of energy and determination to stop the killing of twins in that area,” he further related.
Uduaghan seized the opportunity to call for the abolition of similar obnoxious traditions that are still subsisting in most African settings.
Having assumed the stool of his forefathers, Uduaghan urged the traditional ruler to lead the fight against subsisting traditions that reflect barbarism and inhumanity, especially female circumcision.
“Today, there are still several customs and traditions that have to be stopped. HRM Rt. Justice F.F. Tabai and his colleagues must be bold enough to stop them. One that must be stopped immediately is Female Circumcision,” he enthused.
The Delta Beyond Oil proponent went ahead to shower encomiums on Justice Tabai, highlighting his untainted integrity and towering achievements imprinted in the sand of time.
“Congratulations HRM. You started life as a victim of tradition. At well over 76 years, you are back to take control of customs and traditions. I wish you a long and successful reign.
“Congratulations HRM Rtd Justice F. F. Tabai CON. A legal icon and a man with the attestation of integrity.
“The history of his life either at the judiciary or appointed positions is a reminder of the critical question ‘what will men say you are’?
“He bestrode Nigeria legal terrain like a colossus, he was Chairman of Delsu Governing Council where he gave a good account of his stewardship.
“He confirmed his sense of integrity, fairness and justice in other responsibilities and today, in occupying the ancient stool, I am convinced that he will equally demonstrate those enviable attributes.
“I wish this erudite legal scholar a longer and effective life, support from his subjects and above every other thing, the joy of the Lord which passes all other things and bestows calmness even on troubled waters,” Uduaghan concluded.
and then