Following a viral video in which a young man claimed he was asked to pay N1 million as a bride price from a particular tribe in Imo State, veteran Nollywood actor Kanayo O. Kanayo has weighed in on the ongoing debate.
In a video addressing the controversy, Kanayo dismissed the claims as exaggerated and unfairly targeted at Mbaise traditions.
“My attention has been called to a video making the rounds that a young man went to Mbaise and was asked to bring one million naira as bride price,” he began.
The actor further clarified that bride prices vary from family to family, even within Mbaise.
He said, “I have been a son of south-eastern Nigeria and I know that 85% of the communities do not have bride price written in a particular book. It is relative to any family you visit.
“In mbaise I know that it varies from family to family. I know for a fact that from that one million naira it may come down to twenty thousand naira, so don’t let anyone vilify Mbaise for anything. I would not agree!
“For every point in the southeast that is a state, families have what they ask for. Let us not look at what social media says to vilify Mbaise and marrying their daughters. I’m a high-standing man and I won’t fall for it. We have the most high-standing girls who make good wives.”
Meanwhile, the actor’s comment has sparked discussions on the cultural significance of bride price and negotiations.
