A 73-year-old native doctor, Mr. Christopher Nwazojie, has commended Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, for his decisive actions against criminals disguising as traditional medicine practitioners. With nearly four decades of experience in the practice, Mr. Nwazojie lamented that he would not have chosen the profession if given an alternative and admitted he would have stepped away due to the damage caused by fraudulent individuals posing as native doctors.
Speaking with our correspondent, he highlighted the benefits of the Anambra State Homeland Security Laws but urged the government to reconsider the ban on roadside and river sacrifices, emphasizing that such rituals are an integral part of traditional worship.
Expressing concern over the rising embrace of “Okeite”—a practice he described as alien to Igbo culture and not indigenous to Anambra—Mr. Nwazojie attributed its popularity to the desperation for quick wealth, which has led to ritual killings and other criminal activities.
As the newly appointed Chairman of Native Doctors in Njikoka Council Area, he pledged to work with the government to sanitize the profession by identifying and eliminating fraudulent practitioners. He also reminded his colleagues and the public that every evil act, including bloodshed, carries consequences.
Meanwhile, offering a legal perspective on the Homeland Security Law, legal practitioner Mr. Ejiofo Umegbogu advised those who view its provisions as an infringement on religious rights to seek redress through legal channels.
The government’s stance on regulating traditional medicine remains a topic of debate, with efforts underway to balance security measures with cultural and religious practices.
( Abs Radiotelevision)
