Abuja, NIGERIA — In a move aimed at curbing public disturbances, Anambra State Governor, Chukwuma Charles Soludo, has banned open preaching in public spaces, including markets and schools. The governor labeled such activities as “noise pollution” and emphasized that they disrupt the peaceful environment needed for commerce and daily life.
The ban also extended to the use of loudspeakers and megaphones for advertising products in markets, streets, and other public areas, where such practices have become increasingly disruptive.
Speaking recently during one of his impromptu visits to markets across the State, Soludo sternly declared, “you cannot come to the market place and begin to disturb everybody; it’s a noise pollution. People go to the market to do business. If you want to preach the word of God, go to the church. Anybody who wants to listen to you can come to your church.”
“You cannot just go to the street or enter a marketplace where people are trading and disturb them.
“Forcing everyone to listen to you creates noise pollution.
“Everyone has the right to freedom of worship, but turning a busy marketplace into a church is unacceptable and illegal. Such actions are against the law and we will enforce the law against such,” Soludo said.
This directive is a part of the governor’s broader effort to restore order and ensure that public spaces are used for their intended purposes.
Governor Soludo also imposed restrictions on the use of loudspeakers and megaphones to advertise products in public spaces.
Market vendors and street traders have frequently been criticized for using these devices to promote goods, creating an overwhelming noise that disrupts the peace and hinders normal business operations. As part of the new policy, those selling native medicines or drugs in public spaces have been banned from making public announcements through megaphones. Soludo advised that any such products should be submitted to the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) for proper approval, reinforcing the government’s commitment to ensuring public safety and preventing fraudulent practices.
The governor made it clear that anyone found violating this new policy, including those engaging in open preaching in markets will face arrest and prosecution. “Anyone caught preaching in public places will be arrested and prosecuted,” Soludo warned, stressing the need for a peaceful environment in spaces meant for trade and education.
This crackdown on open preaching follows a series of other decisions by the governor aimed at curbing practices he views as harmful to the social and cultural fabric of Anambra. Recently, Soludo also launched a campaign to eliminate fake and fraudulent native doctors from the state, vowing to take similar action against fraudulent pastors and reverends. These efforts are part of a broader initiative to combat what the governor perceives as exploitation of citizens by religious and spiritual charlatans.
He has also reportedly taken steps to restrict the sale of religious paraphernalia such as anointing oils, holy water, and stickers, which he argues are often sold in public spaces by unscrupulous individuals seeking to profit from vulnerable citizens. The sale of these items, often in busy public spaces, has long been a source of concern for many residents, with critics arguing that they contribute to the commercialization of religion.
While Soludo’s actions have sparked some debate, they have also earned him praise from those who argue that religious activities should remain within appropriate settings, particularly in a diverse society where such public displays can sometimes be divisive. However, there are concerns that the governor’s position may infringe on religious freedoms, with some religious leaders calling for a reevaluation of the new policies.
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