Anambra’s Commissioner for Culture, Don Onyenji, refutes claims of a ban on traditional worship, clarifying that Governor Soludo seeks the registration of traditional religious leaders to combat crime and promote social reform
Don Onyenji, the Commissioner for Culture, Entertainment, and Tourism in Anambra State, recently addressed claims that the state government was planning to ban traditional worship.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting in Awka, Onyenji clarified that the government’s position was not to prohibit traditional religion but to regulate its practice to curb crime.
The meeting, which was organized in collaboration with ASHOKA Africa, a non-profit focused on social change, sought to clarify the state’s stance on traditional religious practices.
Onyenji explained that Governor Charles Soludo’s call for the registration of all traditional religious leaders and shrine custodians was part of a broader initiative to discourage crime, particularly those crimes linked to some traditional practices.
He emphasized that the goal was not to target the religion itself but to ensure that certain elements within it, which were allegedly linked to criminal activities, were monitored.
“The governor wants to have that compilation as a way of discouraging crime,” Onyenji said. He pointed out that criminals, including armed robbers and kidnappers, often sought spiritual powers from native doctors and shrines, which could potentially empower their illegal activities.
As such, the state government would take legal action against any religious figure found to be aiding criminal acts.
The meeting also highlighted Anambra State’s commitment to youth reform, with Prof. Ngozi Chuma-Udeh, the Commissioner for Education, discussing the state’s partnership with ASHOKA Africa.
The goal of this collaboration, according to Chuma-Udeh’s representative, Dr. Ify Agbaizu, was to promote social behaviour reformation among young people in the state.
Chuma-Udeh stressed the importance of instilling core Igbo values such as hard work, honesty, and respect in the younger generation.
She urged youth to adopt positive behaviours that would steer them away from social ills like crime and dishonesty. “Nothing good comes without hard work,” she reminded the students.
Okechukwu Uzoechina, leader of the ASHOKA Africa delegation, shared the organization’s vision of creating a world where everyone has the tools and support to identify and design solutions for societal challenges.
ASHOKA’s “Everyone is a Change Maker” initiative empowers individuals to contribute positively to their communities, Uzoechina said.
The meeting also engaged local students, including Miss Makuochukwu Umeh, the Head of Anglican Girls Secondary School in Awka.
Umeh expressed gratitude for the opportunity to learn about the value of lawful, dignified sources of wealth, such as farming and craft making. She noted that the program had taught her the dangers of quick, illegal wealth.
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