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By Young E. Freeborn, Warri
His Lordship, Uku Simon Efedudu has called on Nigerians and all religious groups across the country to imbibe the spirit of religious tolerance in order to make the country peaceful.
The renowned Igbe religious leader made the declaration as the Igbe Orhe Ofuafo Oghene Healing Home Inc, situated at Unenurhie town, Evwreni kingdom in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State, ended her annual Igbe holy festival recently.
Speaking to our correspondent after the dancing procession to the community, the ‘Ose-Ise,’ as he was popularly called by the Igbe adherents, said, “Since my late father was ordained Uku in 1975 by Uku Supreme Ibodje Ubiesha, he had chosen March 23 of every year as the period for the celebration of the annual Igbe holy festival here. In the same way, even as I inherited the exalted and holy throne by divine providence, I have been maintaining the status quo without any changes.
“March 23 is our watch night day, while 24 is the day I proceed to my community with all my members and other Igbe members across the world that come to celebrate with us every year. My entering into the main community is once a year and it’s full of many divine blessings and impact. The festival is a week-long spiritual event and full of many exciting activities.”
Uku Efedudu further said, “My main message and gospel to Nigerians and the numerous religious groups across the country is that, we should try to imbibe the spirit of religious tolerance among ourselves.
“We should stop claiming superiority of our own religion over the other religions. Because we have been engaging in this superiority of religion, even from time of old, that is why religious wars will continue to be insurmountable in the country. In fact, this is already tearing the country into pieces today like an old rag. Whether we are Igbe worshippers, Christians, Moslems or even atheists, we should tolerate one another. By so doing, then we are fulfilling the natural and divine law of loving our neighbours as we love ourselves.”
Also speaking, the eldest son of the ‘Uku,’ Olori Charles Oghenerukevwe Sunday, who is the secretary of the Igbe religious group and also a practicing Rosicrucian, thanked all other Igbe congregations that graced this year’s festival.
“On behalf of the Uku and all the members of the Igbe Orhe Ofuafo Oghene Healing Home Inc, I want to appreciate all the different Igbe groups that graced this year’s annual festival. In the same way, we want to thank all the special guests that came from far and near. We want to specially thank the Imonioghare and Isodje families and the entire leadership of Unenurhie community, for giving us the necessary support. Time won’t permit me to mention the names of each of the Iku and the Ilori that came from their different worship halls. It’s my prayer that Orise, the Almighty God we serve here will richly bless all of you,” he said.
This year’s Igbe holy festival featured repentance of new members, divine messages and prophecies, testimonies, cultural displays and lots more. Over forty different Igbe worship halls across Delta and Bayelsa states attended the holy festival.
