Nigeria: A cult/religion known as "Ozalla Udumugbe Society" including the nature of the beliefs, location, size of membership and whether, or not, female genital mutilation (FGM) is ritually performed on women who are members at age 30
| Publisher | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada |
| Author | Research Directorate, Immigration and Refugee Board, Canada |
| Publication Date | 27 March 2001 |
| Citation / Document Symbol | NGA36489.E |
| Reference | 2 |
| Cite as | Canada: Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, Nigeria: A cult/religion known as "Ozalla Udumugbe Society" including the nature of the beliefs, location, size of membership and whether, or not, female genital mutilation (FGM) is ritually performed on women who are members at age 30, 27 March 2001, NGA36489.E, available at: https://www.refworld.org/docid/3df4be7e4.html [accessed 17 September 2023] |
| Disclaimer | This is not a UNHCR publication. UNHCR is not responsible for, nor does it necessarily endorse, its content. Any views expressed are solely those of the author or publisher and do not necessarily reflect those of UNHCR, the United Nations or its Member States. |
No mention of a cult/religion known as "Ozalla Udumugbe Society" could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.
However, one report mentions a community by the name of Ituku/Ozalla in Enugu state (Post Express 26 May 1999) and the Worldwide Organization for Women mentions Ozalla in Enugu State in a listing of their educational programs (n.d.). It states, "Ozalla has a population of about 20,000 people with about 10 villages" (ibid.). In other information, the African Studies section of the University of Illinois Library has a 1990 publication by Ikpekhia V.E.A. entitled "The Historical Background and Cultural Heritage of Ozalla," published by Omaivi Enterprises Limited in Igarra Bendel State, Nigeria (n.d.).
This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.
References
Post Express [Lagos]. 26 May 1999. "Minister Commends Community."
University of Illinois Library, African Studies. July - August 2000. "Acquisitions List."
The Worldwide Organization for Women (WOW). n.d. "Family Works Program."
Additional Sources Consulted
IRB databases
LEXIS-NEXIS
REFWORLD
World News Connection (WNC)
Internet sites including:
Adherents.com
Anthropology Explorer
Ethnologue: Languages of the World
The Guardian [Lagos].
Joshua Project 2000
Keesing's Record of World Events [Cambridge].
Mail and Guardian [Johannesburg].
MotherlandNigeria
Nigeria Media Monitor
Nigeria News Network
Oneworld.net
Post Express [Lagos].
United Nations, Integrated Regional Information Network (IRIN).
Vanguard [Apapa].
Search engines including:
Dogpile
Highway 61
HotBot