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Anambra Traditionalist Attributes Nigeria’s Misfortunes To Neglect Of Traditional Religion
The Supreme Leader of the Traditional Practitioners Association of Nigeria, Native Dr Chukwuma Ezeruonye, has insisted that Nigeria’s fortunes have continued to dwindle due to the neglect of traditional religion and institutions.
Subsequently, Ezeruonye urged the citizens to embrace traditional practices, insisting that doing that is the only way for the country to come out of the predicament it is currently going through.
He averred that insecurity and crimes, such as kidnapping, corruption, killings, youth restiveness, as well as civil unrest, are on the increase because the people abandoned their culture.
The traditionalist, who is also the CEO of Debigrich Group Limited, an agricultural firm, stated this over the weekend during the 2024 ‘Igba Oruru Eke’ annual cultural festival in Ekwulobia, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State.
Speaking to South-East PUNCH, Ezeruonye contended that apart from the fact that the people distanced themselves from crime-related issues, the traditional practice is also part of retaining the cultural values of the people’s ancestors.
He said, “During the time of our forefathers, they did not engage in crimes like armed robbery, kidnappings, cultism, rituals, murder, 419, among others and that was why they lived a happy long life, but since the white missionaries imposed their religion on us, we have never known peace again.
“In those good old days, our forefathers lived clean lives devoid of greed, envy and malice, using our traditional practice as their bedrock, but today, the reverse is the case, as we have now sunk into the borrowed foreign religion and we are all feeling the pains.
“Nigerians need to go back to their roots and embrace their traditional practice as the only way to change the narrative in terms of repositioning this country’s economy and at the same time rescue our youths from the clutches of destruction.
“Today, we are celebrating our festival called ‘Oruru Eke Ekwulobia,’ which is the idol uniting the whole of Ekwulobia. It is being celebrated today and as a traditionalist and supreme leader, I have to be present, because I am just like the Bishop of the customs today. So, I am supposed to be here.
“The impact of this festival is enormous because this is how our forefathers started it. The calamity and confusion facing Nigeria, especially the South-East region today is because the people have neglected traditional religion. We neglected tradition and tradition is now dealing with us. That is why there are calamities and confusion everywhere in the country.
“Nothing is working. The rich are crying, the poor are also crying, insecurity and so on. In the olden days, it was a matter of consulting the chief priest and asking him what is the cause of the calamity in the land. When discovered, it will be appeased and there will be peace.
“But, now, because we have embraced the white man’s religion, nobody consults the gods of the land anymore and that is why the gods are dealing with us. For us, as traditionalists, we are going back to the roots to restore what our forefathers used to be, who they were. So, it’s just like we are trying to revive and make tradition what it used to be and not evil.
“I was practising the other religion, which the white men brainwashed us with and nothing was working, until I had a call to return to traditional religion, I embraced it and I am now very comfortable.
“The white men brainwashed us with their religion since they stepped their feet into Africa and we embraced their religion and are practising it more than them, while they still maintain their traditional practices and religion. Countries like China, Japan, Singapore, Malaysia, Korea, and even Europe, adore their traditional practices and are doing well, while we abandoned our own, saying it is evil, no, our tradition is not evil. But some years back, Nigeria was far much better than these countries, why was it so, our forefathers were doing the right thing, but instead of us to continue and improve on it, we abandoned it and now it is dealing with us.
Everywhere you go in the country, our people are practising the other religion, which is the white man culture, yet the country is not moving forward, nothing is working. We always praise the last government, when Muhammadu Buhari was ruling, Nigerians were praising Goodluck Jonathan to come back, now President Bola Tinubu is ruling, and they are praising Buhari to come back.
“If we don’t go back to our African tradition, we will remain under the spell of the white man’s religion and the economic hardship, security problems and leadership crisis will continue to worsen, even from one Nigeria’s President to another, since we embrace the white man religion, no President has ever been better than the last.”
He averred that traditional religion is not about rituals, as erroneously held by the people, insisting that such an impression is been fuelled by other denominations to scare the people away.
dded, “It’s not true, tradition is not all about evil, rituals or bad juju. It is a way of life that made our forefathers what they were. They were all saints because they avoided evil. Traditional religion doesn’t tolerate anything evil, whether they believe it or not. It will deal with whoever is involved even if it is the chief priest.
“Every community and every state, even the country has its own ‘god’ that should be appeased and once they are appeased, calamity will never befall the land. The whole of Nigeria is in distress today because the people have neglected the gods of their lands.
“Even those from other denominations believe in our gods, they are our largest population of worshippers. Many pastors disguised themselves and came to worship with us because they knew the importance of doing so. But they will go and condemn traditional practices before their congregation, giving them the impression that tradition is evil. But now, we are coming out boldly to tell them that we are not ‘evil’, we are highly comfortable, even if a litre of fuel is sold for N10,000 today, all my vehicles will still be on the road. We are not suffering.”
Earlier, the Chief Host of the occasion, Dr Chinedu Ezeameta, said tradition plays protective roles and influences human dignity right from the ages, insisting that no sensible person abandons his tradition.
“Igba Oruru Eke’ festival of Ekwulobia, which I am the chief priest is a very significant festival and is done once a year and whenever it’s been done, everyone is informed, custodians of customs and traditions must be present during the festival. What it signifies is that inhabitants of Ekwulobia offer sacrifice to the spirit of ‘Oruru Eke’ because ‘Oruru Eke’ is the highest spirit Ekwulobia has.
“It signifies good deeds. It helps people. Anyone looking for the fruit of the womb, if such asks, the spirit grants it unto such. Anyone looking for money and asking the spirit will receive money in return. So, the good deeds it does to the community are numerous. All these cattles and rams are proceeds from the beneficiaries. That is the impact it has.
“We have a kindred that worships it. If the worshipper dies, the kindred will ask a soothsay to produce the next and the worshipper must come from the kindred. That’s how it is in the whole of Ekwulobia. We urged Igbo youths to go back to the cultural practices bequeathed to them by their ancestors so that our land will be healed once again.”
Various dignitaries from across the state, who were in attendance at the festival which took place at the Osoenigwe Square, Ezinano Umuowelle village, Ekwulobia, paid tribute and urged the people to go back to tradition.
By Okey Maduforo Awka
Six members of the Indigenous People Of Biafra IPOB have been declared wanted by the Nigerian Police .
The six persons led by Mr Chukwuebuka Ohaechesi, include Emma Okonkwo, Jude Uwa, Gentle Okoro, Uchenna Dike, and Emmanuel Nwankwo who are said to be at large.
The were said to have fled to neighboring states in the South East hence signaling the other four Police Commands in the geopolitical zone to assist in the manhunt for them
The Police accused them of executing protests against the detaintion of the leader of IPOB Mazi Nnamdi Kanu who is currently serving jail terms in Sokoto Correction Center.
According to a statement issued by the Abia Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, ASP Eguavon Omokaro, the individuals are suspected members of IPOB who have allegedly participated in protests at various times and locations within the state.
The statement alleged that the protests were organised in connection with the continued detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and demands for justice through the judicial process.
The Police Command further stated that these protests have allegedly resulted in breaches of peace and disruptions to law and order in Abia State. Consequently, the Police Intelligence Department reportedly concluded that the named individuals were among the principal organisers and coordinators of the demonstrations.
The statement further alleged that; ;
“It should be noted that on every 30th day of May, these men and their cohorts convene for the so-called remembrance of Biafra, holding clandestine meetings at various locations in the name of the emancipation of the Biafran Republic and the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu.”
According to the police, the six individuals were invited on several occasions for questioning in relation to the allegations against them.
The statement indicated that the first invitation was issued on 18 December 2025, followed by a second invitation on 7 February 2026, and a third invitation on 3 March 2026.
The police alleged that the individuals failed to honour all three invitations.
The statement further asserted:
“These individuals were invited by the police on several occasions. Firstly, on 18 December 2025, they failed to honour the invitation. Again, they were invited on 7th February 2026 and failed to appear. Finally, they were invited on 3 March 2026, and they also failed to present themselves before the police.” It stated.
As a result, the Abia State Police Command announced that all six individuals had been formally declared wanted.
The police appealed to members of the public to provide any reliable information that could lead to their arrest and prosecution, stating that informants would be suitably rewarded.
The declaration of the six individuals as wanted persons is linked to allegations of their participation in pro-Biafra activities, demonstrations concerning the detention of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, and their alleged association with IPOB, an organisation that has been the subject of extensive scrutiny and security operations by Nigerian authorities.
In a statement shared on social media, VeryDarkMan argued that Wike may not fully understand the pain and trauma experienced by parents of abducted children and affected teachers. He claimed that the minister’s children were educated abroad, away from the security challenges facing many Nigerian families.Nigerian entertainment news
The activist stated that insecurity, kidnapping, and attacks on schools remain serious national concerns and should not be dismissed or reduced to political issues. He stressed that the fears and frustrations of parents whose children face security threats deserve greater attention from public officials.
VeryDarkMan further warned that political power is temporary, urging leaders to remain accountable to the people and sensitive to the challenges confronting ordinary Nigerians.
DSS Detains Novelist Okey Ndibe at Lagos Airport, Awaits Clearance from Abuja
Renowned Nigerian novelist, journalist, and academic, Okey Ndibe, was reportedly detained by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS) upon his arrival at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos, on Monday morning.
Ndibe disclosed his situation in a message sent while in custody, stating: “I’ve been with the SSS now for more than an hour. They’re waiting for clearance from some oga before they let me go.”
According to sources close to the writer, his detention follows a pattern that dates back to previous administrations, including that of former President Goodluck Jonathan, during which he was frequently stopped and questioned over his critical commentaries on Nigerian governance and public affairs.
However, associates noted that Ndibe has largely stepped away from active commentary in Nigerian media over the past two years, focusing instead on writing books and his academic responsibilities at University of Massachusetts Amherst, where he teaches.
A close friend of the author and former Anambra State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, C. Don Adinuba, said similar incidents had occurred several times in the past. He explained that airport DSS officials typically contacted their superiors in Abuja before eventually releasing Ndibe.
“It is a pity that this agency doesn’t update its database to enable officers on duty at the airport to know that the agency no longer regards Prof. Ndibe as a security threat to the administration,” Adinuba said.
He added that on previous occasions, the DSS had apologized to the respected author after determining that his detention was unwarranted.
As of the time of filing this report, there was no official statement from the DSS regarding the circumstances surrounding Ndibe’s latest detention. The development has raised renewed concerns about the treatment of government critics and the continued use of security watchlists affecting returning Nigerians.
Hegseth made the disclosure during a press conference at the White House on Wednesday, where he said the directive was issued about a year ago after Trump became aware of attacks against Christians in Nigeria.
He explained that the operation involved behind-the-scenes coordination and deployment of military assets, adding that intelligence gathered during the mission contributed to the killing of Abu-Bilal al-Minuki, identified as ISIS’s second-in-command, during a joint operation involving U.S. and Nigerian forces in the Lake Chad Basin.
“Maybe a year ago, he heard the call of Nigerian Christians who were being targeted and killed by ISIS in Nigeria, and he said, ‘Pete, I want the War Department to focus on ensuring that we do everything we can to protect those Christians,’” Hegseth said.
According to him, the operation yielded significant results in the fight against terrorism in the region.
“And we got the assets there, and over the last month, and there hasn’t been much coverage of this, we killed ISIS number two in Nigeria, who’s most responsible for killing Christians and trying to target the U.S. homeland,” he stated.
Hegseth added that working on the Intel gathered, they have killed hundreds of ISIS members who were targeting and killing Christians in Nigeria.
The U.S. defence chief described the operation as part of the Trump administration’s broader commitment to counterterrorism efforts and the protection of vulnerable communities.
“So there are a lot of things we do that the media pays attention to, and a lot of things that the President empowers the Department to do on behalf of the American people that he deserves great credit for,” Hegseth stated.
ISIS second in command, Abu-Bilal al-Minuki was killed in a coordinated U.S.-Nigeria military operation in northeast Nigeria earlier this month.
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