Ifangelist Adeifa Iwalesin Advocates for Bride Price, Criticizes Hypocrisy in Modern Practices.

High Chief Ifangelist Adeifa Iwalesin, a prominent traditional (Isese) worshiper, has emphasized the cultural and spiritual importance of the bride price in marriage, warning that neglecting this practice leads to unions that are not recognized by tradition. He made these remarks during his appearance on *Saturday Special*, a program hosted by Mogaji Oladigbo Olalekan Efficient on TungbaFM Network.

The High Chief expressed concern over how religion has been used to distort African customs, particularly the payment of bride price. He argued that the act of a groom paying his bride’s price carries significant blessings and legitimizes the marriage in the eyes of tradition.

“Many men who refuse to pay their wife’s bride price are merely cohabiting; culturally, they are not married,” he stated. “It is akin to kidnapping a woman and living with her without proper rites. The payment and acceptance of the bride price solidify the bond and invoke ancestral blessings.”*  

Chief Iwalesin also criticized the hypocrisy of some families who accept gifts such as food, drinks, yams, and clothing but reject the bride price under the guise that *”their daughter is not for sale.”* He challenged such families, stating that if they were truly against the practice, they should refrain from collecting anything at all.  “

If you accept bags of rice, crates of drinks, and other items but return the bride price, you are being dishonest. The bride price is not about buying a woman; it is a sacred tradition that honors her family and ensures the marriage is blessed,” he explained.  

His comments have sparked discussions among listeners, with many calling for a return to cultural values in marital rites. The High Chief urged young couples and families to uphold the tradition, emphasizing that the bride price remains a vital aspect of African heritage that should not be abandoned under foreign influences.