News
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.
The trial of six men accused of plotting to overthrow the administration of President Bola Tinubu took a dramatic turn on Tuesday after the Federal High Court in Abuja ordered the Department of State Services (DSS) to investigate the alleged leakage of sensitive court evidence to social media.
During proceedings, prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo (SAN), informed the court that video recordings already tendered as evidence had surfaced online. He alleged that the materials were published by social media activist Martins Vincent Otse, popularly known as VeryDarkMan, and noted that the activist was present in court during the hearing.
Oyedepo urged the court to investigate how the videos were obtained and made public.
In response, Justice Joyce Abdulmalik directed the DSS to immediately probe the alleged leak. The judge ordered security operatives to determine whether any protected court materials were released in breach of existing witness-protection orders and to identify those responsible.
Justice Abdulmalik ruled that the investigation should proceed alongside the ongoing criminal trial, stressing that neither the defendants nor their legal representatives had admitted involvement in the alleged publication.
Counsel to the six defendants denied any connection to the leaked materials. Some members of the defence team argued that the prosecution should file a formal application supported by an affidavit if it wished to pursue the matter before the court.
The hearing also featured testimony from the prosecution’s fourth witness, identified only as “DDD,” who maintained that the defendants voluntarily made their statements and were neither tortured nor coerced during interrogation.
The witness dismissed claims that the accused were chained while giving statements, stating that they walked into the interview room unassisted. He further told the court that none of the defendants requested the presence of lawyers, family members, Legal Aid Council officials, or a Justice of the Peace before making their statements.
Following the testimony, the prosecution closed its case in the trial-within-trial after calling four witnesses.
The court adjourned proceedings to June 25 and June 30 for the first three defendants to open their defence, while the remaining defendants are scheduled to present theirs on July 1 and July 2.
Justice Abdulmalik also fixed July 20 for a ruling on the defendants’ bail applications.
The six men remain on trial over allegations of participating in a plot to topple the Tinubu administration—claims they have denied and which the court has yet to determine.
News
Good Governance: Nwoye Harps on Prudent Management of Public Funds, Engagement of Competent Hands
A Senior Lecturer at the Institute of Peace, Conflict and Development Studies (IPCDS), Enugu State University of Science and Technology (ESUT), Dr. Ben Nwoye, has emphasized the need for managers of public institutions, especially government-owned establishments, to prioritize prudent management of resources and the engagement of competent personnel.
Nwoye also stressed that placing qualified and capable individuals in positions of responsibility remains one of the surest ways to achieve good governance and sustainable development in any society.
The former Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Enugu State and current Deputy National Chairman (South) of the party made the remarks on Monday during a good governance facility tour to the remodeled Government Technical College (GTC), Enugu, alongside PhD students of IPCDS.
He commended Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Mbah, for the transformation of GTC Enugu under the leadership of Dr. Amaka Ngene, Chairman of the Science, Technical and Vocational Schools Management Board (STVSMB), noting that the institution has been transformed from a dilapidated facility into a modern learning centre.
According to Nwoye, the visit was aimed at assessing the progress made since a similar tour of the school in 2025.
He described education as the bedrock of national development and stressed the need for governments to continue investing heavily in the sector.
“The massive transformation that has taken place at GTC Enugu would not have been possible without prudent management of resources and the appointment of capable leadership,” he said.
“When we first visited, what we saw were merely buildings and classrooms without teachers or students. We were also shown videos and photographs depicting the terrible state of the institution before the intervention of the Enugu State Government.
“Today, barely a year later, we have returned to see whether the state-of-the-art facilities have become functional, and we are impressed by what we have seen. There are teachers, students, and fully operational departments.
“This success is largely due to the quality of leadership driving the school board. The desired transformation has truly taken place, and this goes beyond politics. It is about commitment, competence, and prudent management of public funds.”
Nwoye noted that the beneficiaries of the reforms are young people whose lives are being positively impacted through quality education and vocational training.
“We must commend Governor Peter Mbah for providing the enabling environment and resources needed to achieve this. More importantly, we must acknowledge the efforts of the Board Chairman, Dr. Amaka Ngene, who has driven the entire process.”
He added that practical examples such as GTC Enugu provide valuable learning opportunities for students studying governance and leadership.
“The challenge in our country is not the absence of laws but our failure to implement them. Previous boards allowed this institution to remain in a deplorable condition. What we are seeing today demonstrates what is possible when competent individuals are entrusted with leadership responsibilities.”
Nwoye expressed satisfaction with the outcome of the tour, stating that his students were impressed by the level of transformation witnessed across the institution.
“It is gratifying because when we teach governance principles in the classroom, we can now point to practical examples where those principles are being applied successfully. Sustainable development can only be achieved when education is treated as a priority,” he said.
Speaking during the tour, Dr. Ngene attributed the board’s achievements to a fortified database system, zero tolerance for corruption, truancy, and absenteeism, as well as a commitment to accountability and efficiency.
She also praised Governor Mbah for his commitment to education, describing the ongoing reforms as an education revolution in Enugu State.
According to her, the state’s investment in education has surpassed the UNESCO recommendation of 15 to 20 per cent budgetary allocation to the sector.
“Over the last three years, Enugu State has consistently allocated an average of 23 per cent of its budget to education, reflecting the governor’s commitment to human capital development,” she disclosed.
During the facility tour, the visiting students inspected several functional departments, including the automobile repair workshop, welding and fabrication unit, computer laboratory, garment-making section, and hospitality and catering department.
The facilities provide practical vocational training for senior students, equipping them with employable skills and entrepreneurial opportunities for the future.
Dr. Ngene maintained that Governor Mbah’s administration has demonstrated the impact of good governance through strategic investments in education and human capital development, adding that the results are already evident across the state.
With the successful conclusion of the Enugu North Senatorial District by-election, the Enugu State Structures for Signage and Advertisement Agency (ENSSAA) has announced plans to commence a statewide enforcement exercise against unauthorized outdoor advertisements across the state.
The Agency said the operation would target illegally displayed posters, billboards, political campaign materials, banners, and other outdoor advertisements erected without the approval and requisite permits of ENSSAA.
In a statement issued on Monday by the General Manager of the Agency, Mr. Francis Aninwike, ENSSAA said the enforcement exercise would be carried out across Enugu metropolis and all the local government areas of the state in accordance with the provisions of the ENSSAA Law 2016, which regulates outdoor advertising and signage in Enugu State.
Aninwike explained that the Agency deliberately suspended the enforcement exercise in recent weeks to allow the Enugu North Senatorial District by-election to be concluded and to avoid giving political coloration to what is essentially a long-overdue regulatory exercise aimed at restoring order, sanity, and environmental aesthetics within the state’s outdoor advertising space.
He stressed that no individual, political party, candidate, organization, or business is permitted to erect, display, or paste advertisements, including political campaign materials, without first obtaining the approval of the Agency.
According to him, political parties, candidates, and other stakeholders are advised to immediately regularize their advertisements and obtain the necessary permits before displaying campaign materials or other outdoor advertisements in any part of the state.
The General Manager noted that the proliferation of unauthorized advertisements constitutes a violation of the law, contributes to visual pollution, defaces public infrastructure, and undermines the beauty of the environment.
He emphasized that the enforcement exercise is neither targeted at any individual nor directed against any political group.
“This enforcement exercise is not targeted at any individual or political group. It is a routine regulatory action aimed at ensuring compliance with the law and maintaining a clean, orderly, and aesthetically pleasing environment across the state,” Aninwike stated.
To ensure a smooth and peaceful operation, ENSSAA said it has secured armed police escorts for its enforcement teams. The exercise will be conducted daily between 8:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.
The Agency urged members of the public to comply with extant regulations and refrain from obstructing officials carrying out their lawful duties.
Aninwike reiterated ENSSAA’s commitment to sanitizing the outdoor advertising sector, enforcing compliance with relevant laws, and ensuring that outdoor advertisements across Enugu State conform to approved standards.
The application is open from June 15 and will close on June 30, 2026, according to a notice published by the U.S. Embassy and Consulate in Nigeria.
The programme, coordinated by the Public Diplomacy Section of the U.S. Mission through EducationUSA Nigeria, is designed to assist academically outstanding Nigerian students with leadership potential in pursuing higher education in the United States.
According to the mission, the initiative supports access to U.S. higher education while advancing “American leadership, commercial diplomacy, and the shared economic interests of the United States and Nigeria.”
It added that the 2026 cohort aligns with the Freedom 250 celebration, marking 250 years of American leadership, innovation and democratic values.
The statement read, “Freedom250 marks 250 years of American leadership, innovation, and democratic values, and the OFP 2026 cohort will advance these priorities by preparing globally competitive talents aligned with U.S. economic and strategic interests.”
The mission said the programme also reinforces U.S. priorities on “secure, lawful, and well-managed student participation” in American higher education institutions.
It stated, “The program reinforces U.S. priorities on secure, lawful, and well-managed student participation of U.S. higher education systems, ensuring participants understand and uphold the proper use of student visas and full compliance with U.S. immigration regulations.”
It noted, “Priority consideration will be given to the highest-performing students whose academic profiles and career trajectories align with U.S. strategic interests in STEM, AI, and critical emerging technologies.”
The Opportunity Fund Programme provides financial support for essential upfront application costs, including standardised testing fees, application fees and other related expenses.
To qualify, applicants must demonstrate academic excellence, leadership potential, a clear intention to pursue post-secondary education in the United States, notable achievements, research capability, and a commitment to visa compliance and responsible participation in U.S. exchange programmes.
The statement further stressed that participants would be expected to maintain high ethical standards throughout the programme.
It said, “Participants are expected to uphold the highest standards of integrity, compliance, and accountability, including adherence to all U.S. visa regulations.
Apply here: EducationUSA Nigeria Opportunity Fund Program (OFP) 2026 – U.S. Embassy and Consulate in Nigeria
The United States Mission in Nigeria has opened applications for the 2026 cohort of the EducationUSA Nigeria Opportunity Fund Programme, inviting qualified Nigerian students seeking higher education opportunities in the US to apply.
The application is open from June 15 and will close on June 30, 2026, according to a notice published by the U.S. Embassy and Consulate in Nigeria.
The programme, coordinated by the Public Diplomacy Section of the U.S. Mission through EducationUSA Nigeria, is designed to assist academically outstanding Nigerian students with leadership potential in pursuing higher education in the United States.
According to the mission, the initiative supports access to U.S. higher education while advancing “American leadership, commercial diplomacy, and the shared economic interests of the United States and Nigeria.”
It added that the 2026 cohort aligns with the Freedom 250 celebration, marking 250 years of American leadership, innovation and democratic values.
The statement read, “Freedom250 marks 250 years of American leadership, innovation, and democratic values, and the OFP 2026 cohort will advance these priorities by preparing globally competitive talents aligned with U.S. economic and strategic interests.”
The mission said the programme also reinforces U.S. priorities on “secure, lawful, and well-managed student participation” in American higher education institutions.
It stated, “The program reinforces U.S. priorities on secure, lawful, and well-managed student participation of U.S. higher education systems, ensuring participants understand and uphold the proper use of student visas and full compliance with U.S. immigration regulations.”
It noted, “Priority consideration will be given to the highest-performing students whose academic profiles and career trajectories align with U.S. strategic interests in STEM, AI, and critical emerging technologies.”
The Opportunity Fund Programme provides financial support for essential upfront application costs, including standardised testing fees, application fees and other related expenses.
To qualify, applicants must demonstrate academic excellence, leadership potential, a clear intention to pursue post-secondary education in the United States, notable achievements, research capability, and a commitment to visa compliance and responsible participation in U.S. exchange programmes.
The statement further stressed that participants would be expected to maintain high ethical standards throughout the programme.
It said, “Participants are expected to uphold the highest standards of integrity, compliance, and accountability, including adherence to all U.S. visa regulations.
Apply here: EducationUSA Nigeria Opportunity Fund Program (OFP) 2026 – U.S. Embassy and Consulate in Nigeria
The Senator representing Anambra North Senatorial District and the Minority Whip of the Senate, Dr. Tony Nwoye on Sunday 21st June, 2026 distributed over 1,500 solar-powered streetlights for distribution across communities and 99 Wards of Anambra North Senatorial zone.
According to Dr. Nwoye, the solar streetlights will be distributed among the 99 wards that make up Anambra North Senatorial District, in fulfillment of his commitment to illuminate every nook and cranny of the zone.
Senator Dr Tony Nwoye said the gesture is aimed at improving the quality of life of the people by providing illumination in public spaces, promoting safety and security in the environments.These initiatives are primarily aimed at boosting local economies, enhancing nighttime security, and preventing crime in rural and urban areas.
The latest Distribution marks the completion of Phase 4 of the Light Up Anambra North initiative. The the Third Phase has each Ward in Anambra North getting 15 Pieces of Solar Lights each.
Speaking while handing over the solar streetlights to ward leaders, Senator Nwoye assured the people that even more projects and interventions would be brought to the district. He reiterated his determination to ensure that Anambra North, shines even brighter through sustained infrastructural development.
Senator Nwoye reiterated his Commitment in providing quality Leadership, Infrastructural development and improving the lives of the good people of Anambra North Senatorial District.
Each Political Ward in Anambra North is expected to get at least 5 Solar in this latest batch of Phase 4.
*Video of the Distribution Speaks:*
*(C) DTN MEDIA CENTRE*
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