UMUADA UMURIAM OBUNESE HOLD SPIRITUAL LAND CLEANSING OVER RISING SOCIAL VICES

By Bridget Uju Nwoye

Women under the umbrella of Umuada Umurim Obunese in Nawfia Community, Njikoka Local Government Area(LGA) of Anambra State, have conducted a spiritual land cleansing and prayer procession.

The prayer and land cleansing was aimed at restoring peace, unity, and divine intervention over disturbing developments in the community.

The solemn exercise attracted elderly women, youths, and other members of the community, as the women moved through major roads and strategic locations within the village, offering prayers against insecurity, sudden deaths, immorality, family disputes, cult-related activities, and other social challenges affecting the area.

Throughout the procession, the women chanted prayers and traditional songs, calling on God and the ancestors of the land to cleanse Umuriam Obunese of evil and restore harmony among residents.

Speaking during the exercise, the leader of the Umuada, Barr. Lady Nkiru Udechukwu, said the spiritual cleansing became necessary due to the increasing rate of negative occurrences in the community.

“We cannot fold our hands while strange things continue happening in our land. As mothers, we believe prayer and unity can bring peace back to the community. We are asking God to remove evil, violence, and every bad influence from our children and families,” she said.

Also speaking, the Vice President of the group, Prophetess Nwakaego Obidiegwe, noted that Umuada traditionally serve as peacekeepers and moral guardians in Igbo communities.

“In the old days, whenever the land was facing problems, Umuada would rise in prayer and cleansing. We are doing this today for the protection of our people and the future of our children,” she said.

Some youths who witnessed the event described the exercise as a strong message against crime and moral decadence in society.

The Secretary of the group, Mrs. Chinyere Nwakakwa, said the exercise would serve as a reminder to young people about the importance of discipline and respect for community values.

“This is not just tradition; it is a call for change. Many bad things happening today are because people no longer respect culture and morality,” she noted.

The women also used the occasion to advise parents to closely monitor their children and encourage them to embrace hard work, discipline, and good moral conduct.

The procession ended at the village square, where special prayers were offered for peace, protection, progress, and development in Umuriam Obunese and the entire Nawfia community.

Bridget is of the Ministry of Information, Anambra State