Prophet Chukwuemeka Ohanaemere, an
Onitsha based pastor popularly known as Odumeje has apologised to the
People of Arondizuogu in Imo State and Awka in Anambra State, over
hurtful statements he made in viral videos on their mode of worship.
Odumeje
in separate videos that went viral on social media in April had
allegedly attacked Arondizuogu people, describing them as fetish, just
as he attacked one of their prominent sons, Pericomo too.
For
Awka, Odumeje described their masquerade festival, Egwu Imo Awka as
being fetish and a means of worshiping monkeys, which is the symbol of
the god.
In one of the videos, Odumeje was seen boasting that if
he came in contact with the monkeys worshiped by Awka people, he would
destroy them.
Though Odumeje’s community, Orsu in Imo State had
written to the communities involved, tendering apologies, he has
remained indifferent, maintaining his silence, while more videos of him
deriding the communities surfaced.
But in a press release signed
by the popular pastor and made available to CandyNews on Saturday
morning, he apologized to the two towns, saying that he had watched and
found his own videos on them hurtful.
Below is the full text of the release:
”My
attention has been drawn to publications on social media over the
alleged face-off between me and the good people of Awka and Arondizuogu
communities in Anambra and Imo States respectively.
”In the said
posts, I was portrayed 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.
”Consequent 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.
”These
two communities and their renowned indigenes have been known and
recognized as major contributors to the development of their states,
Igbo land 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. I will not make any attempts to justify my statement as
even I can see that it’s 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 apologize and put it on record that this
experience has taught 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.”
