The Anambra State Commissioner for Information, Law
Mefor, has clarified Governor Chukwuma
Soludo’s recent stance on native doctors, emphasizing that the initiative
targets fraudulent practitioners involved in criminal activities, not genuine
traditional healers.
The clarification came after reports of unease among
native doctors in the state, following the governor’s remarks during a
recent event. Soludo had condemned the involvement of certain practitioners in
aiding crimes like providing charms for kidnappers and armed criminals.
In a press statement, Mefor explained that the governor’s
goal is to sanitize the practice and expose individuals using traditional
medicine as a cover for illegal activities. He reassured genuine practitioners
that the government appreciates
their contributions to society and has no intention of undermining their work.“For
clarity, Governor Soludo
has not declared war on all native doctors but on fake and malicious ones
engaging in criminal acts,” Mefor stated. He further elaborated that
investigations across the South-East have revealed troubling practices among
some native doctors, including preparing charms for criminals and engaging in
rituals involving human sacrifices.
These activities, Mefor noted, have fueled the rise of
harmful practices like “Ego Mbute” (quick wealth rituals), “Oke-Ite,” and
“Yahoo Plus,” which promote idolatry and undermine the moral fabric of Igbo
society. Soludo, driven by a sense of duty, aims to eradicate such practices
while protecting authentic traditional medicine that serves humanity.
The commissioner emphasized that the governor’s
actions are not a blanket condemnation of traditional medicine but a targeted
effort to address criminal elements within the field. He added, “We must
distinguish between genuine traditional healers and those exploiting the trade
for unlawful purposes. Traditional medicine has a rich cultural heritage and
plays a vital role in society.”
Mefor urged Anambra residents to support the government in
exposing criminal practitioners and promoting cultural values rooted in
integrity, hard work, and morality.
He reiterated that maintaining security requires
collective effort. “Security is everyone’s responsibility, not just the government’s.
If you see something, hear something, say something,” the statement urged. Governor Soludo’s
approach underscores a commitment to upholding the integrity of traditional
practices while addressing the criminal misuse of spiritual powers.
This initiative seeks to safeguard Anambra’s cultural
heritage and foster a society anchored in morality and respect for human life..
Comments:
Leave a Reply