Prophet Chukwuemeka Ohanaemere
popularly known as Odumeje, has apologised to people of Awka, Anambra state
capital over alleged threat to destroy their festival, known as Imo-Awka, The
Nation reports.
popularly known as Odumeje, has apologised to people of Awka, Anambra state
capital over alleged threat to destroy their festival, known as Imo-Awka, The
Nation reports.
In a statement on Monday, Odumeje
described the people of both communities as peace- loving, who he claimed to
have known and shared fellowship in his church over the years.
described the people of both communities as peace- loving, who he claimed to
have known and shared fellowship in his church over the years.
He however said the experience had
thought him that ungaurded utterances with divisive tendencies needed to be
checked.
thought him that ungaurded utterances with divisive tendencies needed to be
checked.
The statement partly reads: “My
attention has been drawn to the publications on social media over the alleged
face-off between me and the good people of Awka and Arondizuogu Clcommunities
in Anambra and Imo state respectively.
attention has been drawn to the publications on social media over the alleged
face-off between me and the good people of Awka and Arondizuogu Clcommunities
in Anambra and Imo state respectively.
“In the said posts, I was potrayed as
declaring war on the people of these communities and their respective
traditional festivals and beliefs, It was also alleged that I had vowed to
destroy Imo-Awka festival and put a stop to the Ikeji festival of Arondizuogu.
declaring war on the people of these communities and their respective
traditional festivals and beliefs, It was also alleged that I had vowed to
destroy Imo-Awka festival and put a stop to the Ikeji festival of Arondizuogu.
“Consequently, upon the above, I wish
to acknowledge that the people of Awka and Arondizuogu Communities are peace
loving and I have over the years come to share fellowship and service in church
with a great number of them.
to acknowledge that the people of Awka and Arondizuogu Communities are peace
loving and I have over the years come to share fellowship and service in church
with a great number of them.
These two communities and their
renouned indegenes have been known and recognised as major contributors to the
development of their states, Igboland and the nation at large. Awka and
Arondizuogu communities have produced great men and women of integrity and
pedigree and have always remained at the top of great sons and daughters of
Igbo land.
renouned indegenes have been known and recognised as major contributors to the
development of their states, Igboland and the nation at large. Awka and
Arondizuogu communities have produced great men and women of integrity and
pedigree and have always remained at the top of great sons and daughters of
Igbo land.
Against this backdrop and with every
humility as a Servant of the Living God, I sincerely apologise to the great
people of these two communities, to the entire people of Igbo land and to my
elders for my utterances.
humility as a Servant of the Living God, I sincerely apologise to the great
people of these two communities, to the entire people of Igbo land and to my
elders for my utterances.
I will not make any attempts to
justify my statement as even I can see that it is hurtful in all its
ramifications. I also want to specially apologize to the family of Mazi
Pericomo of Arondizuogu who I understand until his passing was a diligent
servant( Evangelist) of God.
justify my statement as even I can see that it is hurtful in all its
ramifications. I also want to specially apologize to the family of Mazi
Pericomo of Arondizuogu who I understand until his passing was a diligent
servant( Evangelist) of God.
I apologise and put it on record that
this experience has thought me that words that speak any form of divisive
conversation amongst our people MUST be checked. This is a time for unity, love
and unwavering support for each other.
this experience has thought me that words that speak any form of divisive
conversation amongst our people MUST be checked. This is a time for unity, love
and unwavering support for each other.
Similarly, I lend my voice to the
directives of the federal and state government in observing all the COVID-19
protocols, while waiting on the Lord for the end of the pandemic.
directives of the federal and state government in observing all the COVID-19
protocols, while waiting on the Lord for the end of the pandemic.