By Rose Oranye
The Anambra State Government has moved to clarify reports suggesting that Governor Chukwuma Charles Soludo has banned evangelism in the state. The clarification follows the governor’s recent encounter with an itinerant preacher at Onitsha Market, which sparked widespread debate.
According to Dr. Law Mefor, the
Commissioner for Information, the governor’s remarks were misinterpreted. He
emphasised that the focus of Governor Soludo’s statement was on noise pollution,
which is prohibited under an existing public health law, and not on restricting
religious activities.
Governor Soludo referred to the Public Health Law 2006, which explicitly bans noise pollution and prohibits preaching in inappropriate locations, such as markets, when loudspeakers are used. He advised preachers to conduct their activities in churches or designated areas where people can voluntarily gather to listen without disruption to public life.
“The issue at hand is noise
pollution, not evangelism,” Dr. Mefor stated. He highlighted that Sections
8(1,4b) and 9(1,2) of the Public Health Laws of Anambra State, 2006 make noise
pollution a punishable offence. A legal precedent was set in 2019 when a
magistrate court in Nnewi took action against a church for violating these
regulations.
The state government has urged
the public to disregard any claims suggesting that evangelism or public
preaching has been banned in Anambra. Instead, officials are encouraging
compliance with the law to ensure a peaceful and respectful environment for all
residents.
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