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The Government of Anambra State, Southeast Nigeria, has debunked allegation of ban on traditional worship in the State.

This was disclosed by the Commissioner for Culture, Entertainment, and Tourism in Anambra State, Don Onyenji.

Onyenji stated that the Anambra Government did not threaten to ban traditional worship in the State.

The Commissioner made the statement at a Thursday stakeholders’ meeting in Awka, the State capital.

The event was organized by the State Government in partnership with ASHOKA Africa, a non-profit organization.

Making a clarification, Onyenji stated that Governor Charles Soludo only called for the registration of all traditional religious leaders and custodians of shrines in the State.

He, therefore, described religion as a collection of social and cultural systems involving core beliefs, practices, and morals that were needed in human society.

The Commissioner said, “The Governor wants to have that compilation as a way of discouraging crime. Let’s not forget that some people who do unlawful businesses patronize these places.

“Armed robbers, fraudsters, kidnappers and other criminals go to native doctors and shrines to seek powers to do evil.”

Onyenji noted that the activities of some native doctors and custodians of shrines in the State encouraged crimes.

The Commissioner warned that any native doctor or shrine worshipper found to be preparing charms for robbers or fortifying kidnappers would be prosecuted.

Speaking at the event the State Commissioner for Education, Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, praised the organizers of the programme. She noted that the partnership with ASHOKA Africa was aimed to promote social behaviour reform among the youth.

The Commissioner who was represented by the Permanent Secretary in the Education Ministry, Ify Agbaizu, called for youth inclusiveness.

Chuma-Udeh noted that the younger generation should be given the correct orientation about core Igbo values. She stated that these would help to put them on the right track.

“We must preach the values of hard work, respect and honesty. This will save the youth from indulging in the social ills that are rampant in society today,” she said.

The Commissioner, therefore, urged the youth to imbibe good social behaviours and hard work as they matured. She pointed out that, “Nothing good comes without hard work.”

In his submission, the leader of the ASHOKA Africa delegation, Okechukwu Uzoechina, noted that the organization’s “Everyone is a Change Maker” vision was a social transformation tool needed in human society.

He said, “We foresee a world where everyone has the confidence, freedom and support to identify and design solutions for the common good of the society.

“A world where people are equipped to tackle challenges and to create a better future in both small and bold ways.”

The News Agency of Nigeria, NAN, reports that the meeting also attracted the attendance of students drawn from selected secondary schools in Anambra.

The head girl of the Anglican Girls Secondary School, Awka, Makuochukwu Umeh, who spoke to NAN, described the engagement as enriching and well thought-out.

She said, “We all are grateful to be part of the programme. We have learnt a lot from the resource persons. I have learnt that quick and illegal wealth is not good.

“I also learnt that farming, craft making and other lawful engagements are good. They are dignified sources of making wealth.”

 

source: Premium Times

 

 

 

 

 

 

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