Rivers
Cleric Cautions Christian Faithful Against Evil Cultures
The Bishop of the Etche Diocese, Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Rt Reverend Okechukwu Precious Nwala, has called on Christian faithful to stand up against evil cultures in the society. The cleric gave the charge on Wednesday, at a launch/dedication of a book titled: “The Story of” Itu Anya Culture” in Mba Asaa, ”written by Archdeacon Jonathan Chimezie, at the Cathedral Church of St Matthias, Okomoko/Egwi/Umuanyagu, in Anglican Diocese of Etche.
Pointing out the inherent nefarious attributes of the culture as highlighted by the book, Okechukwu warned against christians secretly identifying with cultures like the “Itu Anya Culture”, stating that any christian found secretly doing that is not worthy of being called a christian. He noted that “any culture that can not move with time and can not openly compete favourably with other cultures is not a good culture and should be discarded.”
He gave instances of the devilish practices inherent in the culture under review where a new initiate at Isu Etche died in the process of toture during the initiation and was buried in the bush in the presence of his father, and another case in Egbu Etche where a pastor would have been attacked for holding a crusade during the period of the Itu Anya initiation. The bishop praised the author and encouraged him to continue to fight a good fight of faith as God will always protect and bless him.
The author of the book, Archdeacon Jonathan Chimezie, in his vote of thanks thanked God for his protection in all the years he had been persecuted for speaking against the satanic culture. In a chat with our correspondent, Chimezie narrated his ordeal in the hands of perpetrators of the heinous culture called Itu Anya, a reason for which the documentary became imperative.
The author explained that he was propelled to put down this piece of information basically because of the activities of the initiates of the Itu Anya culture around him. Although his late father’s instruction for all his children not to be initiated into the cult had already distinguished them from the crowd,the attendant persecutions in which the old initiates succeeded in lurring his daughter to initiate her son, a native of Orodo in Imo State as well as the pinning of a shrine dedicated to Ogba deity in his father’s compound against his wish, the numerous dangers especially blood-letting in the community and his obligation as a child of God, made the book a reality.He said that gathering of the information, arranging them in the form of writing, the energy, time and finance as well as dealing with doubts of success were challenges he had to contend with.
However, he considers the book, a milestone in the fight against dangerous and obnoxious cultures, which have come to create awareness of the satanic activities going on in the guise of culture on a wider spectrum.
Meanwhile a personality in attendance, who happened to have encountered the attack of the Itu anya culture initiates, Mr Francis Rollingstone, while commending the effort and courage of the author, expressed happiness for such a wonderful write up. Narrating the ordeal his family in Omademe, a community in Ikwerre LGA had to go through for their refusal to participate in the culture, Mr Francis stated that his late father, Mr Apollos Francis, had a historic battle of his life in 1972 for not yeilding to the pressure of the community but stood his ground. He pointed out that the family had recurring attacks in 1992 and 2001 respectively. He gave glory to God for the publication of the book and prayed that God will use it as an avenue to liberate the communities involved from the bondage of the devil.
Also, the chairman of the occasion, Egnr. Ugochukwu Chukwuezi in his opening remarks praised the author for his courage in the face of intimidation and persecution and enjoined the audience to take a que from the author. He also admonished christians to be examplary and stand firm in their faith so as to make better impact in their communities.The book was reviewed by Venerable Dr Okey G Orji, while Engineer Ogbonnaya Njoku was the chief launcher. Other dignitries in attendance include Prof Samuel Amaele; a lecturer with the Ignatius Ajuru University, Mr Rollingstone Francis and Pastor Godfrey Iwuala.
Recall that Itu anya culture, popularly known as Ogba, is practised by three communities in Ikwerre; Omademe, Ozuaha and Ipo, six communities in Etche; Elele, Isu, Ogida, Owu, Egbu, and Ihie and Etioha in Ohaji, IMO State.
By: Sylvia ThankGod-Amadi
The Rivers State Primary Healthcare Management Board (RSPHCMB) says it will commence Supplemental Immunization activities on Saturday, May 3, 2025, to vaccinate children from 0-5 years across the State.
The State Health Educator, Dr. Diana Babbo, who stated this during a sensitisation meeting with Media Advocate for Health, Rivers State, on the update of immunization exercise in Rivers State, said the National Immunization Plus Days (NIPDs) is a re-enforcement of the routine immunization at the health facilities.
According to her, it is aimed at boosting polio immunisation against the circulating variance of polio virus currently threatening the total eradication of polio in the country.
She further stated that there are four pillars of polio eradication, namely routine immunization (administered on babies in the health centre), supplemental immunization activity (supplements to boost the babies), surveillance (searching for children that have weakness in their legs or some oart of their bodies), and outbreak response.
The Health Educator noted that the Novel Oral Polio Vaccination Type 2 (NOPV 2) will be administered to children under the age of 0-5 years, which targets a specific polio still in existence in communities and capable of causing paralysis among the stated categories of children, despite the country being certified a polio-free nation.
Dr. Babbo further stated that this year’s NIPDs will address the high number of unresolved non-compliance cases in the State.
She debunked what she tagged a false rumour by mischief makers which claimed that the vaccines are responsible for the development of autism in children.
She said, “vaccines are not known to be responsible for the development of autism. We’re just hearing that. The truth is that one cannot know everything.
“That aspect that has been found, have we looked into other aspects, such as genetically modified foods, drinks, and milks that our children are taking?
“Have we also looked at genetic compatibility between couples before we now say vaccines are causing x, y, z things?
“Are we looking at the environment where these things are happening, what they are peculiar to?
“It must not be peculiar to all the families, there could be something also that’s happening around that we have not known. Research is evolving, let us not accuse our precious vaccines that have succeeded so far in my knowledge, to keep as many sicknesses at bay.
“The reason we do not have small pox in our world today, apart from the lab (a bio-lab) is because we vaccinated to the point where we were able to move small pox totally out of existence from human beings. We can succeed with that same pattern with all kinds of viruses”.
She stated that the connection between autism and vaccination could merely be coincidence.
Babbo, therefore, urged all parents, churches, and school owners to avail their children/wards the opportunity to be vaccinated against polio the stated exercise.
Sogbeba Dokubo
Engr Obi Fortune, a renowned philanthropist, has donated 80 desks to four secondary schools in Etche Local Government Area of Rivers State. The donation is part of his commitment to advancing education in the area.
The schools that benefited from the gesture includes- Community Secondary School Umuoye.
Community Secondary School Akwa- Government Secondary School Ozuzu and Community Primary School Okehi 2 and all the schools got 20 units each of the desks.
Speaking during the brief handing-over ceremony held recently in okehi recently, Engr Obi stated that the donation fulfills his promise to use proceeds from his book sales to procure desks for schools in the LGA.
He disclosed that more desks will arrive soon and expressed his continued commitment to supporting education in the area.
Obi urged the schools to make good use of the desks and called on other individuals to contribute to the educational needs in the area.
This gesture demonstrates Engr Obi’s dedication to improving education in Etche LGA.
A professor of social and political philosophy at Rivers State University (RSU ) Nkpolu Oroworukwu port Harcourt, Prof Agha Eresia _Eke has emphasized that citizenship participation is crucial for achieving true democratic government. He stressed that citizens’ involvement in exercising their basic rights, such as freedom of speech, assembly, and religion, is essential for a democratic institution to thrive.
Eresia _Eke stated this while presenting his inaugural lecture at the 111 university’s inaugural lecture series with the topic “Nigeria Democratic practices:a contextual paradox”held at the university senate auditorium in Port Harcourt, last Wednesday.
According to him, core democratic values which include:,- Respect for individual rights and freedoms, Protection of human rights and fundamental freedom, Equality before the law, Freedom of speech, assembly, and association, Protection of privacy and personal autonomy.
“Through out history, the problem that has agitated social and political philosophers has been to work _out a model for the realization of the common good of man.
Man has always sought and developed methods and systems of organising himself according to his true nature as a rational being.”he stated.
Eresia-Eke notes that Nigeria is not practicing a true federalism and highlights the importance of a pragmatic approach to democracy, where ideas and solutions are tested and refined in real-world environments.
He emphasized that citizens must hold their leaders accountable and demand respect for human rights, stressing that by doing so, citizens can undertake their civic obligations and responsibilities, strengthening society as a whole.
Earlier in his address, the Vice chancellor of the university, Prof Zeb _Obipi commended the lecturer for his brilliant performance, adding that he has justified and proven that he is a professor in his area of specialization.
The VC averred that the university has been consistent in the inaugural lecture monthly and assured that his administration will continue to continue to keep the trend.