A powerful herbalist and a native doctor in Ozubulu, Ekwusigo local government area of Anambra State, Chief Chukwuemeka Okwummo has repented and abandoned the trade, saying he has now embraced Christianity.

At a special thanksgiving at St Michael’s Catholic Church, Ozubulu, Okwumuo told the congregation that he is now a converted Christian, even as he explained that he would still be using herbs to cure people without practising idolatry.

He said that his decision to embrace Christianity followed his miraculous recovery from a life- threatening ailment.

In his testimony at the church, Okwumuo said: “I thank God for healing me of a sickness many people don’t survive. I was taken to the hospital in an ambulance in an unconscious state.

“I can testify to the healing power of Almighty God and can testify that God is the supreme and ultimate power and the only way.

“I also thank God for a successful surgery carried out on my wife, Mrs Agatha Okwummo. “I must let you know that I inherited herbal medicine and I have done a thorough research and know that there is no one like God when it comes to power.

“That is why I had to forsake idolatry and fetish practices, which are not the way. “I still do my herbal and alternative medicine business, but without rituals”.

Addressing the congregation, the Vicar of Ozubulu Region of the Catholic Diocese of Nnewi, Very Rev Fr. Hyginus Aghaulor, expressed excitement about what God had done in the life of the native doctor.

Fr Aghaulor, who is also the Parish Priest of St. Michael’s Catholic Church, Amakwa Ozubulu, noted that Chief Okwummo had been healing sick people with the use of roots and herbs.

He observed that the native doctor had gone too deep in his trade before realizing that it is only God that actually heals, and not the fetish practices.

Some masquerades appeared as part of the celebration after the church service, with Fr. Aghaulor defending the action by saying that the church is not against the culture of the people.

He said: “The church Is not out to eradicate cultural practices that are not harmful. There are so many positives and beneficial aspects of our culture.

“For instance, a scholar from abroad is currently carrying out research on bitter leaf, which many people in this part of the world don’t appreciate”.

Fr Aghulor used the occasion to warn young men and women against practising idolatry and occultism which, according to him, will not be beneficial to them both in the short and the long run. (Vanguard)

•Rev Fr. Aghaulor dancing with the masquerade in the church premises after Native Doctor Okwumuo’s conversion at Ozubulu

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