Soludo said following the unanimous agreement of the leaders across board and the endorsement of the entire body of Christ, he had decided to end Monday sit-at-home.
By Emma Ogbuehi
In his dogged determination to close what has become the darkest chapter in Igboland since the end of the Nigerian civil war in January 1970, Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Soludo, on Monday offered amnesty to members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Soludo pleaded with them to come out of the different forests in the State and lay down their arms to forge meaningful lives.
Soludo said following the unanimous agreement of the leaders across board and the endorsement of the entire body of Christ, he had decided to end Monday sit-at-home.
Soludo said: “I am pleased to inform our people that today, Monday, April 4, 2022 marks the official end to the “Monday sit-at-home” in Anambra State.
“Shortly, I will be announcing the membership of the Peace and Reconciliation Committee that will look into addressing all areas of sincere challenge, including interfacing with the Federal Government on behalf of all Prisoners of conscience.
“I have also offered Amnesty to all our brothers in the various forests around us. Give us your guns, and trust us to help you forge a meaningful living.”
Governor Soludo stated these on his official Facebook page on Monday.
“We have prayed to God, admonished our people and made commitment to ensuring that everyone concerned gets expeditious justice.
“The task of taking back our dear State and reclaiming the dignity of our collective existence is at the heart of our drive towards a Liveable and Prosperous Homeland.
“This task is a MUST. I call for your support and prayers, as we have resolved to fiercely go after criminal elements who are out to threaten our peace and distort our development,” Soludo said.
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Meanwhile, Christians across the Southeast, worried by the “Monday sit-at-home”, offered prayers to God at 11 am today for peace to return to Igboland in particular and Nigeria in general.
In a statement issued by the representatives of Igbo Archbishops and Bishops on peace and Conflict Resolution, the clergy listed eight prayer points that today’s spiritual exercise was meant to accomplish.
They said the Prayer should focus on the following prayer points:
“That God deliver Nigeria from the violence and evil machinations of those who are hell-bent on destroying the country, especially, as we approach the 2023 elections.
“That God bring about a total deliverance from all manifestations of insecurity in Igboland and restore peace and socio-economic dynamism and vitality in the Igbo homesteads of Nigeria.
“That our son, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, and all political agitators in Nigeria, be shown consideration, receive justice and be allowed to defend themselves, in cases of criminal accusations, properly, without drama, prejudice and preconceptions, legally like any other citizens of Nigeria.
“That God cause change of heart in murderers, hoodlums and hooligans and make them recognise the sacredness of human life.
“That God protect our security agents, and give them the courage and determination to apprehend unrepentant agents of violence, death and destruction and bring them to justice, wherever they may be.
“That God restore in our youth, belief in His Commandments, a sense of love and the spirit of charity, so that they can use their energy, knowledge, talents, time and opportunity to build a future for all to His glory alone.
“That by the grace of God, justice, equity, fainess and progress will reign in Nigeria.
“That God give the Federal Government of Nigeria and of our own political leaders, the wisdom, courage and the honesty to constructively and transparently address the challenges facing the Igbo homesteads of Nigeria which are at the root of youth restiveness and violence in our States.”
The day of prayer in Alaigbo was themed: “If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn away from their wicked ways, I will forgive their sins and will heal their land (2 Chronicles 7:14).”
In a statement on Sunday, the Bishops said, “We are horrified by the wide-spread insecurity, the continuing “Monday sit-at-home” and widening destruction of lives and property, and the socio-economic disruption this has caused in our country and, particularly in ala Igbo, in recent times.
“We may be tempted to think that there is nothing we can do to make a difference. But as Christians, we believe that prayers made with sincere faith can move mountains and calm every storm. Our enemy, the devil, would rather have us do any other thing but pray in this critical season of our lives as a people.
“Today, almost all the Igbo homesteads in Nigeria seem to be falling under the control of perpetrators of violence and death. We witness daily the relentless attacks and mindless killings of innocent people either by unknown gunmen, kidnappers, security agents or some unscrupulous and criminal elements. We, your servants in the brotherhood of Christ, share in the deep sorrow and pain of our brethren.”
“Accepting that ‘unless the Lord watches over the city, in vain do watchmen keep vigil’ (Ps 1 27:1 ) we, Igbo Archbishops and Bishops, invite all Christian faithful in ala Igbo and other men and women of goodwill across Nigeria and the world to unleash the force of prayer and call down divine favours from God for a radical change in our society. Nothing compares with the power of God.
“We therefore call on all Igbo sons and daughters, irrespective of their religious affiliations, and all men and women of goodwill to en-masse, cry out to God, our Loving Father, who has the power to put an end to this pain and misery. This prayer campaign will be led by the Archbishops, Bishops and the clergy of all Christian denominations in ala Igbo on Monday, 4. April, 2022.
“It will take place within the premises of the Cathedrals, Churches and prayer houses across ala Igbo by 11:00am and we enjoin the faithful wherever you maybe across Nigeria, or abroad to pause and join in fellowship as we seek the face of our Father.
“Like Nehemiah of old, we your servants invite all, our dear Igbo sons and daughters, to come together especially in this Lenten season, a period of prayer and sober reflection, to rebuild our society through prayer, repentance, hard work and determination.
“We can and must rebuild our lives together in faith because ‘with God all things are possible’ (Mt.19:26). This is a clarion call for Ndigbo to arise and shine for our light has come (Isaiah 60:1). May the blessings of God the Almighty Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit be on you all, on our nation and more especially on Igboland. Amen.”
The statement was signed by Most Rev Dr. Anthony J. V. Obinna, Catholic Archbishop Emeritus of Owerri; Most Rev. Dr. Emmanuel O. Chukwuma, Bishop of Enugu; Most Rev. Dr. Chibuzor R. Opoko, Methodist Archbishop of Umuahia; Most Rev. Dr. Valerian M. Okeke, Catholic Archbishop of Onitsha; Most Rev Dr. Uma A. Onwunta, Past Principal Clerk, Presbyterian Church Nigeria; Bishop Obi Onubogu, Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria; and Rev. Dr. Abraham Nwali, Chairman CAN Southeast Zone.
Meanwhile, reports by our correspondents indicate that the prayers were widely observed at 11 am after the church bells tolled at 10.58 am the whole of Igboland.