Governor Fashola Signs Lagos Cremation Bill, Nigerians React

Babatunde Raji Fashola, Lagos state governor yesterday signed the state's cremation bill that allows individuals to voluntarily request to be cremated following demise.

Signing the bill into law on Monday, Governor Fashola described enacting the bill shows the state is embracing the concept of globalization.

“We commend members of the state House of Assembly for responding to global yearnings. Their zeal in passing the bill also shows that cremation is the best way to go,” Fashola said.

Explaining the new law, Ade Ipaye, Lagos state Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice said is not enforceable but totally voluntary.

Ipaye said: “It is voluntary in the sense that it allows for voluntary cremation, whereby a person may signify interest to be cremated when he dies or a deceased’s family members who must attain the age of 18 years can decide to have the corpse cremated." 

Already, Nigerians are voicing their opinion on the new law. Abram Soje advised the governor to lead by signifying his interest in being cremated.

"Mr. Babatunde Fashola should first signify his interest to be cremated when he dies, to encourage others to follow up. Are we now in India or are we short of land. this law is agaist Islam. thougth he was a Muslim? yeye law," Soje said.

Gbade, another Nigerian said the bill may be connected to the overpopulation dilemma in Lagos.

"It’s true that Lagos state is already fully congested and there is no more space for cemetery or burial ground but cremation (burning of a corpse into ashes) as signed into law by Lagos state government is not part of our tradition and culture in Africa. Though it’s voluntary, but if i may ask, can his excellency governor BRF and the entire members of Lagos state house of assembly lead by examples?" Gbade said.

John however praised the governor's decision to sign the bill into law which he said will help in safeguarding the environment.

He said: "It is voluntary and every Major city in the world has to have allowance for this kind of practice or it will run into trouble with the environment sooner or later."