Anambra Mobilises Christian Leaders Against Fake Pastors, Crime

The Anambra State Government has challenged religious leaders and the Christian faithful to partner with the state in combating the menace of fake pastors and other forms of criminality.

The government also urged Christians to join hands with it in intensifying the fight against individuals who desecrate places of worship and abuse spiritual callings, stressing the need to restore moral values and address societal ills.

The call was made on Sunday during the foundation stone-laying ceremony of the Zone 13 Police Chaplaincy Building held at the Zone 13 Police Headquarters, Ukpo, in Dunukofia Local Government Area of the state.

The Bishop on the Niger, Anglican Communion, Rt. Rev. Dr. Owen Chiedozie Nwokolo, performed the official foundation stone-laying and turning-of-the-sod ceremony.

 He also offered special prayers for peace, progress, and security for the nation’s leaders, Nigeria, Anambra State, and the successful completion of the project.

The bishop charged police personnel to build a strong spiritual foundation rooted in faith in God, who grants wisdom, strength, and guidance in the task of protecting lives and property.

In his remarks, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), Zone 13 Ukpo, Godwin Iguh Eze, thanked the Deputy Governor, Dr. Onyekachukwu Ibezim, stakeholders, community leaders, and other guests for honouring the event and making it memorable.

He pledged to ensure the completion of the chaplaincy project within the shortest possible time, expressing optimism that the church building would be completed before the end of his tenure in the zone.

Speaking at the event, Deputy Governor Ibezim lamented the rising spate of killings, violent crimes, and other criminal activities across communities and towns in Nigeria, describing them as evidence of a growing erosion of human values and sensitivity to one another’s suffering.

According to him, the decline in spiritual standards and the deviation from genuine religious devotion have contributed significantly to the moral decay being witnessed in society.

He said:”This government has succeeded because of your prayers. I had to make myself available here today to lend support and credibility to what you are doing. Thank you for your efforts. What you are doing aligns with the vision of Mr Governor for the state. It is all about social re-engineering.

“I was telling my colleagues yesterday that if my father, many years after his death, were asked to come back and witness what is happening today, he would probably beg to return because of the way human lives are being wasted.

“We see all kinds of disturbing videos every day, including acts of violence against fellow human beings. Instead of the church running to government for help, government is now running to the church. This responsibility now rests heavily on your shoulders because you are the ones leading people to God. If you fail in that responsibility, many people may lose faith and go astray.”

Recalling a particularly disturbing incident, the deputy governor said:

“A little child once asked me, ‘Is God still alive?’ I was shocked. I had just seen a video where a child’s hands were tied behind the back while people burned rubber materials and dropped the flames on the child’s body. Such cruelty is inhuman. That is not who we are as a people.”

He noted that the establishment of the police chaplaincy would help strengthen moral and spiritual values among security personnel and the larger society.

“When we see these kinds of things happening, and people coming to the chaplaincy to get closer to God, we cannot but support it fully. People have gone astray. We are no longer worshipping God in truth. Human compassion is disappearing.

“Initially, we thought these challenges were merely differences among Anglicans, Catholics, and Pentecostals. But what we are seeing now goes beyond denominational boundaries. Human feelings are disappearing, and one begins to wonder whether God truly exists in the hearts of some people because of the atrocities we witness daily.

“It is no longer about being born again. People are simply moving from one religion to another without genuine transformation. Idolatry is no longer hidden; it has become fashionable. This is a serious challenge. If we focus only on physical structures and neglect social re-engineering, all these buildings and projects will amount to nothing.”he said.

Ibezim described violent killings, banditry, ritualism, and other criminal activities as acts of inhumanity that are inconsistent with the values of the people.

Addressing church leaders directly, he cautioned them to be vigilant and uphold the sanctity of their calling.

“You must be careful and remain true to your calling. It is time for all of us to draw closer to God.

“Mr Governor has consistently spoken against fake native doctors and fake pastors. We commend the bold steps being taken to sanitize the system. The church must also play its role in exposing false teachings and deceptive practices.” he added.

The deputy governor recounted an instance that reinforced his concerns about fraudulent religious activities.

“I watched a video of a supposed miracle involving a lame man who came with crutches. On closer observation, the crutches appeared brand new, apparently purchased specifically for the event. I paid attention to those details. The level of deception has become alarming. The battle against fake practices is everywhere.”the deputy governor said.

Earlier in his exhortation titled ‘Building a Sure Foundation: The Necessity of Laying a Solid Foundation,’ drawn from Matthew 7:25, Bishop Nwokolo stressed that every enduring structure must be built according to God’s plan.

He maintained that no work can succeed without God’s involvement, adding that building for God requires wisdom, faith, and a strong spiritual foundation.

“We must first of all have our faith firmly rooted in God. The chapel exists for the purpose of spreading the Word of God. Except the Lord builds the house, the labourers labour in vain.

“There will always be storms and challenges, but if we are grounded in the teachings of God’s Word, faith, and confidence in Him, those storms will not overwhelm us.”he said.

The cleric emphasized the importance of the chapel to officers and men of Zone 13, noting that law enforcement personnel also face spiritual challenges in the course of their duties.

He said the chaplain, CSP Emmanuel Madu, has the responsibility of ministering to officers and personnel, providing spiritual comfort, encouragement, godly counsel, and guidance.

“If we have more policemen standing firmly on the solid rock, which is Jesus Christ, many things will change for the better in this country. There is an urgent need to strengthen spiritual values within the police force so that officers can effectively serve and protect society.”he stated.

Bishop Nwokolo also appealed to the state government, stakeholders, philanthropists, organizations, and well-meaning individuals to support the project to encourage police officers in their work.

In his address, the Chaplain of Zone 13, CSP Emmanuel Madu, expressed appreciation to guests and supporters for their commitment to the project.

He specifically commended AIG Eze for his dedication, leadership, and determination to move the zone forward.

The event featured special prayers, choir renditions, goodwill messages, and other activities that highlighted the significance of the project.