Anambra State Bans Billboards for Burial Ceremonies

Anambra State, Nigeria, is usually vibrant with colorful billboards announcing upcoming burial ceremonies. However, this longstanding tradition faces a significant change as the Anambra State Signage and Advertisement Agency (ANSAA) bans billboards for funeral ceremonies. The ban aims to regulate and control the aesthetics of the environment and maintain public order, stirring controversy among residents who see it as a violation of their cultural practices and freedom of expression.

The Anambra State Burial/Funeral Ceremonial Control Law, enacted in 2019, outlines various regulations for burial ceremonies. It stipulates that billboards, banners, or posters of the deceased are prohibited, allowing only directional posts. These posts should only be erected a week before the burial date and must be removed within a week post-burial. Violators face a fine of N100,000 or six months imprisonment, or both.

The law further details the acceptable funeral practices. The corpse should not remain in the mortuary for over two months, and road blockades for burials require local government permission. Public display of caskets for sale, second funeral rites, and wake-keeps are all forbidden. It also outlines the expected duration of burial ceremonies and restricts certain activities, such as undertakers’ display and burials on local market days.

While the government views this law as a necessary measure to control the environment’s aesthetics and maintain public order, many citizens disagree. Critics argue that the ban infringes on the cultural practices and traditions surrounding burial ceremonies, which are often elaborate events involving large gatherings, with billboards serving as a way to inform the community about the event. They argue that the ban restricts the people’s freedom of expression and cultural practices.

Supporters, however, believe that the excessive use of billboards and other forms of advertisement for burial ceremonies contributes to visual pollution and creates a chaotic environment. They argue that the ban will help create a more organized and aesthetically pleasing environment.

The enforcement of this ban poses significant challenges for the government. It must ensure that residents are informed about the ban and the penalties for non-compliance, address concerns and criticisms raised by those who oppose the ban, and allocate resources to enforce the ban and monitor compliance.

The ban on billboards for burial ceremonies in Anambra State reflects a broader issue of balancing cultural practices and traditions with the need for regulation and control. It raises questions about the role of government in regulating aesthetics and public order and the extent to which cultural practices should be protected. The enforcement of the ban will be a test for the government’s ability to strike a balance between preserving cultural practices and maintaining public order.