There is a declaration credited to Dr. Law Mefor, the Anambra State Commissioner for Information, to the conventional practices and beliefs surrounding Oke-Ite and Odieshi, saying that any Dibia found harmless of any contraventions to the legal guidelines of the State will be hired by the government.

As we recognised earlier that the Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo-led government of Anambra started the bias in opposition to Ndi-Dibia in his state, these practices are part of the cultural history in all aboriginal spiritualities of the world, including Anambra state. The commissioner?s comment today suggests a governmental stance of respect in the direction of these traditional beliefs and their practitioners.

Dr. Mefor?s statement that proponents of Oke-Ite and Odieshi who are found innocent will be employed by the government shows that the government and Ndi-Dibia need each other for a harmonious restoration of sanity as against the government?s earlier preference to the obvious witch-hunts.

The government thinking about employment for individuals associated with these supernatural practices that cannot be observed elsewhere but in Odinala, the authorities have recognized the cultural importance of such traditions within the Igbo nation. Bravo!

The mention of being ?found innocent? indicates that there is a legal or societal scrutiny regarding these practices which Soludo orchestrated. It implies that there were accusations or issues approximately to Odinala legitimacy or safety, which necessitates a process to determine innocence. But today, the government has agreed to the potency of Odinala practices in the communities and state building.

Providing employment to the ones ?found innocent? may be visible as a way for the authorities to support native traditions at the same time as also providing monetary possibilities to individuals involved in these practices.

Take into account that we, at the Advocacy Network On Religious And Cultural Coexistence (ANORACC) had in one of our treatises on Facebook concerning the clause imposed by the Anambra government towards Ndi-Dibia, opined that the authorities needed Ndi-Dibia to combat insecurity in the State rather than the way the government was humiliating Odinala adherents.

We, today, commend the once loquacious Dr. Mefor who in lots of activities sent Ndi-Dibia to the cleaners when the prejudice warfare imposed in opposition to Ndi-Dibia started. Mefor?s statement today reflects an intersection among cultural practices and governmental coverage in Anambra rather than the earlier sheer hatred they confirmed against Odinala.

Mefor?s declaration highlights a method that seeks to balance respect for traditional ideals with legal issues and economic improvement

That?s the manner to move!

?Odimegwu Onwumere is Chairman, Advocacy Network On Religious And Cultural Coexistence (ANORACC).

Update news