Urges Traditional Rulers To Champion Spiritual Rebirth And Cultural Values
The Chairman of the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council and Obi of Obosi,
His Royal Majesty, Igwe Chidubem Iweka (Eze Iweka III), has thrown his weight
behind the Anambra State Government's efforts to reposition pilgrimage
administration, describing the initiative as a timely spiritual intervention
capable of restoring moral values and strengthening the faith of the people.
The royal father gave the endorsement while receiving the Senior Special Assistant to Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo on Pilgrims, Hon. Barr. Odira Ezeh, and staff of the Anambra State Pilgrims Office during a courtesy visit to his palace in Obosi.
The visit was aimed at seeking the support of the
Traditional Rulers Council in promoting the state's pilgrimage programmes and
sensitising communities on the opportunities created by the government.
Addressing the monarch, Hon. Barr. Odira Ezeh conveyed the warm greetings of
Governor Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, and the Deputy Governor, Dr.
Onyekachukwu Ibezim, reaffirming the administration's commitment to building a
livable, secure and prosperous Anambra where every citizen enjoys equal
opportunities.
He noted that the courtesy visit became necessary because
traditional rulers remain indispensable partners in governance, community
development and value reorientation.
According to Odira, the Soludo administration desires to make pilgrimage
opportunities accessible to all categories of citizens, including traders,
rural farmers, widows and other less-privileged persons whenever
government-sponsored pilgrimages are available. He explained that the
initiative reflects the administration's commitment to equity, compassion,
inclusion and the spiritual well-being of Ndi Anambra.
He further disclosed that under the supervision of Deputy Governor Dr.
Onyekachukwu Ibezim, the Pilgrims Office has embarked on far-reaching reforms
to enhance transparency, accountability, operational efficiency and quality
service delivery. He revealed that plans are underway to establish pilgrims
exchange programmes and upgrade the Blessed Iwene Tansi Pilgrimage Centre,
Aguleri, into a world-class pilgrimage destination comparable to renowned holy
sites across the globe.
According to him, the initiative will not only attract
more pilgrims to Anambra State but also boost the state's Internally Generated
Revenue (IGR) and create employment opportunities for youths. He also disclosed
that the Deputy Governor is developing additional programmes aimed at
increasing participation in pilgrimage activities.
Hon. Odira appealed to the Chairman of the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council to mobilise traditional rulers across the 21 Local Government Areas to partner with the Pilgrims Office by creating awareness, identifying deserving intending pilgrims and promoting the virtues of faith, integrity, unity and responsible citizenship.
He stressed that the success of the government's vision depends
greatly on the collaboration of traditional institutions and other critical
stakeholders.
Responding, Eze Iweka III described the state's pilgrimage initiative as highly
commendable, saying it represents a significant spiritual movement capable of
benefiting humanity, especially at a time when many young people are abandoning
Christianity for idol worship.
Identifying himself as a Christian monarch, the
royal father lamented the growing attraction of youths to idolatry and urged
them to embrace God and uphold moral values.
The monarch also commended the Anambra State Government's ongoing efforts to
dismantle criminal shrines and combat fake native doctors and fraudulent
religious leaders. He noted that the exercise has contributed significantly to
improving security across the state.
While acknowledging the place of genuine
traditional institutions, he condemned the increasing practice of charms and
ritual activities, insisting that such practices do not represent the authentic
culture of the Igbo people.
According to Eze Iweka, genuine Igbo culture is reflected in cherished
traditions such as traditional marriages, New Yam festivals, title-taking and
other cultural celebrations that promote community values and identity.
He
disclosed that Obosi is already taking deliberate steps to revive several
neglected cultural festivals, including celebrations of cocoyam, akidi
(cowpea), maize and ukwa, as part of efforts to preserve the people's rich
heritage.
The royal father further urged Igbo's not to abandon their language, culture
and identity in the name of Western religion, stressing that what should be
rejected is idol worship and fetish practices rather than the positive cultural
values handed down by the ancestors.
He expressed concern that many children
born and raised in Igbo communities can no longer speak the Igbo language,
calling on parents to make deliberate efforts to teach their children their
mother tongue and preserve the people's heritage. He also condemned the growing
trend of young people importing unfamiliar idols from different places without
understanding their origins or spiritual implications.
Commending Hon. Barr. Odira Ezeh and his team for their commitment to
repositioning pilgrimage administration in the state, Eze Iweka offered royal
blessings and assured them of his readiness to present the initiative before
members of the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council.
He equally appealed to
well-meaning Anambra citizens to support Governor Soludo's pilgrimage vision
and embrace the Public-Private-Community Partnership (PPCP) initiative for the
development of the Blessed Iwene Tansi Pilgrimage Centre, expressing confidence
that collective support would transform the project into a global spiritual
destination and a source of economic growth for the state.
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