Sun
Copious volumes of tears have been shed by Nigerians over the death of popular gospel singer, Osinachi Nwachukwu, who many believe died from injuries allegedly inflicted on her by the husband. The police have commenced investigations into the allegations as more revelations are being made about the tone of the marital relationship between the couple.
The picture emerging is that Osinachi was a victim of long-running domestic violence, which she endured for reasons a majority of people are simply unable to grasp. The one thing that hundreds of people who have commented on her demise agree on is that her death should not have happened at all – if she had hearkened to the voice of reason and voted against the marriage with her feet.
It is estimated that one in every three women experiences domestic violence at the hands of the very persons, who claim to love them. The evil ranges from battering, thrashings, torture, acid bath and rape which most times lead to consequential death. The enormity of the situation comes home when you consider what the Lagos State Attorney General and Commissioner of Justice, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo, a senior advocate, recently said. The learned silk revealed that the state recorded 10,007 cases of domestic violence from May 2019 to August 26, 2021.
Now, human beings differ in various ways, particularly in reasoning, perception and views. In circumstances where either the man or woman murders a spouse, one fact is very clear: the covenant of life is superior to the covenant of marriage. The absolute truth is that life comes first before marriage and relationships. Ordinarily, no one has the right to take another person’s life. But if one feels so offended, the person can take a walk from the relationship, either the man or the woman.
From the published accounts on social media, print and electronic media, Osinachi’s husband, Peter Nwachukwu, allegedly had a practice of battering and brutalizing her, even going to the extent of ordering their children to beat her too. In a report, one of the children was quoted as saying: “Our father seized mummy’s car. He said that beating a woman is good; on one occasion, he pushed her out of the car. We do not know how mummy got back home. He would pin mummy down and encourage us to beat her.” What a beastly husband and father!
Since the terrible news broke, blood curdling accounts have been given on the ill-treatment she passed through. For a reason that most people simply consider beyond comprehension, Osinachi chose to remain in the marriage, smile for the camera as seen in some of selfies she took with the husband – all the while masking the agony in her marriage.
In the light of the absolutely untimely death of Osinachi, women must begin to accord their life and safety priority. Be alert in spirit and smart enough to notice when your life is being threatened. If you are faced with violence, be it domestic or otherwise, please save your head. Take a very long walk and live.
