By Young E. Freeborn, Warri
Olori (Dr.) Joseph Oboburu Sunday, the founder and general overseer of St. Joseph Holy Water Liberation Centre Ministry has called on Nigerians to imbibe the virtue of religious tolerance as the only way to sustain peace and unity in the country.
The Igbe religious leader made this statement in his worship hall during his annual Igbe religious festival. The Igbe festival which was held on September 3, 2023 in his hometown, Unenurhie in Ughelli North Local Government Area of Delta State, brought together many Igbe adherents from different parts of the country to thank God for His blessings upon the members.
In an exclusive interview with our correspondent during the Igbe festival, Olori (Dr.) Joseph who was highly elated had this to: “My divine message to all Nigerians especially my Unenurhie people is for us to imbibe the virtue of religious tolerance. This is the only way to sustain and build on our peaceful co-existence as a group of people or nation.
“We must all know that, the Nigerian constitution describes and recognizes Nigeria as a multi-religious country. That’s, we have many religions being practiced in the country. The common ones are Christianity, Islam and the African traditional religion. In this case, we must respect the religious beliefs and practices of other people as part of their fundamental human rights and citizens of this country. This is the only way those people will also respect our religious beliefs and practices.
“We shouldn’t force people to be members of our religious groups. This can breed religious crisis in our various communities in the country.”
Speaking further, the Igbe adherent said, “I’m an Igbe member. I was born and bred in Igbe religious home. My father, the late Uku Sunday Efedudu was a very popular Igbe religious leader in the whole of the Niger Delta region. He was the founder of Igbe Ore’Ofuafo Oghene Healing Home Inc here in Unenurhie community.
“In his time, he preached peace, unity and love amongst all the people. He was never an advocate of segregation, oppression and enmity in this community during his reign as Igbe religious leader. This can be attested to by both Christians and Non-Christians in the community today.
“As his biological son, I’m still very much in love with the Igbe religion. The Igbe religion is an African traditional religion founded by the late Prophet Ubiesha Etarakpo from Kokori Inland in Ethiope East LGA of the state. It’s a religion that I can’t quit to join another foreign religion. The beliefs and practices of the Igbe religion is to foster peace, blessings and achievements amongst its members. The Igbe religion also supports parts of our traditions and general culture as a group of Urhobo people. For instance, we identify and participate in the Unenurhie annual Ohworhu cultural festival. This doesn’t make us idol worshippers as some Christians believe,” he said.
Olori (Dr.) Joseph Sunday however thanked his members and other Igbe members that joined him from other Igbe worship halls across the state to celebrate this year’s Igbe religious festival.
