Jewish Community in Nigeria Disowns IPOB
Judaism Fellowship Initiative (JFI) the umbrella body of Jewish Community in Nigeria has distanced itself from activities of a group operating under the aegis of Eastern Judaism and Jewish communities in Abia, Anambra, Ebonyi, Enugu, Imo states.
Chief Arthur-Regis Odidika, President of the Jewish Community in Nigeria made the clarification in Awka on Monday while reacting to a publication entitled “Judaism Adherents in S’East Plead with Tinubu to Release Kanu, Pray for His Health”
The group called on the President to use his prerogative powers to free Maazi Nnamdi Kanu, leader of Indigenous People of Biafra from detention after they purportedly held a prayer session in Abia State.
Chief Odidika said JFI had nothing against anyone showing concern towards anyone adding that Nnamdi Kanu was a case of serious national concern which should be addressed for national healing and peace.
Odidika who is the Vice President of Commonwealth Jewish Council Africa (Nigeria) said religion was a matter of choice and the body of religion should not be mixed with other activities such as political, social and economic.
He said even though Mazi Nnamdi Kanu professed the Jewish religion, Judaism Fellowship Initiative of Nigeria is not associated with any separatist struggle.
He said there was nothing like the Biafra National Rabbi as
JFI was an Incorporated Trustee duly registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission of Nigeria and that none of the names mentioned among the leadership of the group in review was known to JFI.
“The attention of the Judaism Fellowship Initiative has been drawn to a publication attributed to the IPOB where they are claiming to be members of the Judaism Community in Nigeria.
“Judaism in Nigeria has nothing to do with IPOB, political agitation or separatist pressure is not the agenda and pursuit of the Judaic Faith in Nigeria.
“We want to state clearly that JFI does not have any relationship or affiliation with these people even though we do not have the right or power to stop them from what they are doing.
“The Jewish Community wishes to restate our hope and commitment towards peace, understanding, harmonious co-existence, and prosperity among the various regions and religions in Nigeria,” he said.
Odidika said JFI was looking forward to the visit of Mr Clive Lawton, Head of the entire Jewish people of the Countries of the Commonwealth Nations to Nigeria in November.
He expressed confidence that the visit of the Commonwealth Jewish Community leader to Nigeria, would usher in the light of Judaism to Nigeria in an unprecedented way.
“I have faith that it shall open up various degrees of Jewish economic, social and other interests within Nigeria,” he said.
