₦airaland Forum

The international President of Jewish Voice Ministries, Rab­bi Jonathan Bernis.

program to test the Igbo of Nigeria for genetic links to Jews has heightened tensions between international groups representing mainstream Jews and Messianic Jews.

In February, Jewish Voice Ministries International organized a test to compare genetic samples from some 100 members of the Igbo group, who claim ancestral connections to the biblical Israelites, against a DNA bank of genes collected from Jews.

Shavei Israel, a high-powered Israeli organization also ramping up their own outreach to the Igbo, does not welcome the test and sees it as part of the growing threat Messianics pose to the Israeli group’s mission.

“So called Messianic Jews are soul-snatchers and missionaries, who are trying to sell people a false bill of goods,” said Michael Freund, Shavei’s founder and chairman. “They try to convince some of these communities to unwittingly call themselves Jewish while at the same time believe in the Christian faith.”

Freund is on his own quest to bring “lost tribe” communities into the fold of the mainstream Jewish world. He has settled thousands of Bnei Menashe, a “lost tribe” from India, in Israel and the West Bank.

He sees Messianics as competition.

“It’s a market place of ideas out there,” said Freund. “If the only ones in the marketplace are the so-called Messianic Jews, then they may very well succeed in deceiving many members of those communities into joining their ranks.”

Jonathan Bernis, head of Jewish Voice, said the group is transparent about their beliefs and points out that most of the Igbo are practicing Christians already — even though they proclaim an Israelite ancestry.

Michael Freund, whose organization Shavei Israel has focused primarily on the immigration of the Bnei Menashe from India to Israel, has recently begun outreach to the Igbo of Nigeria.
Sam Kestenbaum

Michael Freund, whose organization Shavei Israel has focused primarily on the immigration of the Bnei Menashe from India to Israel, has recently begun outreach to the Igbo of Nigeria.

But whereas groups like Shavei teach that in order to “reconnect” to Jewish roots the Igbo must drop their worship of Jesus, Jewish Voice makes no such demand.

“We would attempt to bring them back to an understanding of their Jewish heritage without compromising their faith in Jesus.”

At some 30 million, the Igbo are among Nigeria’s largest ethnic groups. While the Igbo are primarily Christians, for generations they have identified as descendants of a “lost tribe of Israel,” some espousing a lineage to the tribe of Gad.


In recent years, international interest in the Igbo and Igbo interest in outside groups have both seen an uptick.

Since 2003, Kulanu, a New York based nonprofit that supports “isolated and emerging” Jewish groups has provided financial support and religious guidance to the Igbo, which has sometimes involved religious conversions to Judaism. Shavei Israel, a well-funded Israeli organization that encourages immigration to the Jewish state, began sending religious emissaries to Nigeria in 2015.

Read more: http://forward.com/news/364890/rival-outreach-groups-feud-over-dna-test-for-lost-tribe-of-israel/

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LEGAL NOTICE TO ANAMBRA STATE AND THE ENTIRE NATION:

THE LEADERSHIP OF INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OF BIAFRA DID NOT ORDER ANY ELECTION BOYCOTT.
- Barr Emeka Emekesiri, Vision Bearer, Founder and Solicitor for Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

It has become necessary for me to issue this public statement by way of Legal Notice and clear the air regarding the "order" issued by Mr Nnamdi Kanu that elections will not hold in the whole Biafraland starting with Anambra State. I make this Statement on behalf of the Supreme Council of Elders. Nnamdi Kanu is not the Founder and Leader of the body known as INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OF BIAFRA which the Nigerian Government has recognised by Judicial Notice in Suit No. FHC/OW/CS/192/2013 in the Federal High Court Owerri. The body known as Indigenous People of Biafra consists of the people led by the Supreme Council of Elders. Few weeks ago, Nnamdi Kanu visited the Supreme Council of Elders and apologised for the evils he did which he described as minor misunderstandings and was advised by the elders to humble himself and be obedient to the rule of law and the instructions laid down by the Customary Government of Indigenous People of Biafra. The Supreme Council of Elders has directed all Indigenous People of Biafra to participate in the elections and vote for only hardcore Biafran activists. The return of Nnamdi Kanu to the original IPOB was described by Dr Law Mefor as the return of a prodigal son to his family. The current news as reported by various media platforms that Nnamdi Kanu had "ordered" all the Biafrans to boycott the elections in Biafraland shows that he is still a prodigal son and has not truly returned to the family from where he was excommunicated for his past misbehaviour.

When Mr Nnamdi Kanu was excommunicated by the Supreme Council of Elders of Indigenous People of Biafra many years ago, he took our name and registered it as a private limited liability company in London known as Indigenous People of Biafra Ltd and announced on Radio Biafra London that he had dissolved the Supreme Council of Elders and become the founder and leader of Indigenous People of Biafra. The Nigerian Press started promoting him and ignored us, the original Indigenous People of Biafra who had been in Court with the Federal Government of Nigeria since 2012. As he had run away with our Internet Radio, he had the upper hand with media propaganda being also promoted by the Nigerian Press which presented him as the face of the Biafran Struggle and ignored the Supreme Council of Elders whose Chairman is His Royal Majesty, His Lordship, the Honourable Justice Eze Ozobu OFR with his Deputy as Dr Dozie Ikedife. The Nigerian Press did not want the world to know the eminent personalities behind the legitimate struggle but decided to promote a man whose mouth was filled with abuses, insults and uncouth language. The Nigerian Government helped to promote him and cause confusion in the legitimate struggle founded under the control of the eminent Elders. LET THE NATION TAKE NOTICE THAT the decision of the Supreme Council of Elders is final in the affairs of Indigenous People of Biafra.

The "order" purportedly made by Nnamdi Kanu that all Indigenous People of Biafra should boycott the elections is hereby cancelled. I describe that "order" as a foolish order and superlative stupidity. He has bitten more than he can chew. He is not the vision bearer and founder of the body known as INDIGENOUS PEOPLE OF BIAFRA. He was in the Radio Biafra when we created that body as the plaintiffs in the case between Biafra and Nigeria who sued in a representative capacity. He knew when we were looking for the Elders of Biafraland to sign the documents I filed in Court for the case between Biafra and Nigeria but he hid his father from us as many Elders were afraid to sign the document for fear of being arrested by the Federal Government. It was recently that we knew that his father is a Traditional Ruler. He has no power to stop the people from voting in the elections for any candidates of their choice.

It appears that Nnamdi Kanu does not yet understand that propaganda has an expiry date. His power of propaganda has expired. The Biafrans have known the truth. He promised them Biafra before the end of 2015 but we are now in 2017. He used his mouth to destroy every structure we created for the Biafran Struggle by legal methodology but the structures we created are on solid foundations that cannot be destroyed. He made the youths to believe that there were 88 countries that had supported Biafra who would fight against Nigeria but these youths were killed by the Nigerian soldiers and no country came to their rescue. He asked them to donate money called the Biafran Defence Funds but the Biafran youths were not defended against the killing, massacre and brutality in the hands of the Nigerian soldiers.

If the Biafran youths try to stop the election in Anambra State, the Presidency will activate its constitutional powers of emergency rule and declare a "state of emergency" over Anambra State and appoint a military Sole Administrator from Abuja to govern Anambra State. Is this what Nnamdi Kanu has planned with the APC-led Federal Government? Does he not know the law or does he not have a lawyer to advise him?
We cannot allow Abuja to impose a military Sole Administrator on any part of Biafraland. We shall not give them the opportunity to do so. The Biafrans have known the truth. They know that Nnamdi Kanu's propaganda leads to their untimely death while the propagandist enjoys himself. He has been made a "supreme leader" by his followers and only people like Emeka Emekesiri can speak sense into him. The Bible says that open rebuke is better than secret love. I rebuke him in love to withdraw from this foolish order he gave to his followers. Even if his followers obey him, it will not stop the election from holding because the Nigerian Constitution did not prescribe the number of votes required to win the gubernatorial election. Only one family can cast their votes and a winner will be declared!

I therefore call upon and urge all Indigenous People of Biafra who are wise and obedient to the rule of law to ignore the foolish order issued by Nnamdi Kanu to boycott the elections. The elections must hold and we must vote into power the hardcore Biafran activists who will pass the Biafran Bill into law to prepare for our Referendum that will lead to our eventual exist from Nigeria. Everything has a process.

Emeka Emekesiri, Esq.
Vision Bearer and Solicitor for Indigenous People of Biafra.

Yes if there is violence to hinder the election the president can appoint a Military Sole Administrator

Princess KANU cannot dictate to us without our consent

dlondonbadboy:
What is the benefit of BIAFRA to ndi igbo? You said you are pro-BIAFRA and a supporter of Nnamdi kanu..why did you support him?

Now I support Biafra agitation even before KANU start IPOB as far back as 2002 . Then Kanu is still under Massob i followed him from London until his arrest and release now the problem is this Anambra election will not be productive infact Apc will be praying for us all to sit in door so they will write results sheet . igbos are wise we need to think broadly and not allow hatred and emotion to confuse us

dlondonbadboy:
And which approach do you suggest oga idealist?

Cos you benefit from this failed system (you are probably related to one of the candidate), doesn't mean we won't say the truth.. Enough of all these nonsense.

No election in Biafraland ever again. No going back.

Come and stop it nah . According to him the benefit of boycott is to prove to the world that we are serious . menh it does not prove anything our eye go open when APC is declared winner in Anambra because of our stupidity . you have nothing to prove to the world

dlondonbadboy:
You say you are igbo but you reason like an Afonja..

There would be no election in Anambra and any other Biafraland until a referendum is conducted. Tnx

Taaa gbafuo dire una no fit . election must hold KANU better respect himself before he meet his waterloo in Anambra he cannot stop our election when he have not convince us on the benefit of such boycott to our people

Election boycott is defeatist approach

dlondonbadboy:
It favours no one!

It only favour Biafrans.. Let nobody deceive you. Don't let those criminals decieve you.

You are the selfish criminal here
Possibly not from Anambra you want to hand over my state so easily into the Hand of the APC to rig at will

dlondonbadboy:
There shall be no election ever again in Biafraland....until a referedum.

Referendum is all we need. WE ARE TIRED. ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. Ndiigbo are fedup! Let us dry another alternative. We say No to elections ever again in Biafraland.

No problem start from your papa house and not my state becareful or it will be the people that will rise to beat you people up before Police go come serf . Until Biafra come we must strive to elect good leaders like Ojukwu

Have you see APC or PDP kick against the Election Boycott ?
No!!! Because it will favour them !!!

vivalavida:
Ke ebe isi Na Anambra?

Ke ebe ulo Nna gi di?



Prove ur from amambra

Abum onye Ogbakuba di na Ogbaru LGA . Abu kwan ezigbo Nwafor Biafra mana ihe KANU choro ime adiro mma ndi Hausa APC ga enwere ochichi beanyi

Before you start shouting Afonja just check my profile I have been faithful ipob member for years and supporter of Nnamdi KANU
However as an Anambra Man with strong sense of Republicanism i call on my people to ignore this useless and counter productive order from Nnamdi Kanu of Abia state . i do not support Gov Obiano of Anambra nor his Apga party but why have KANU always attacked him and leave out his own state Governor of Abia Dr Okezie Ikpeazu PDP? Inspite of the bad state of Aba ?

Let Kanu first start Election boycott in His home state because if APC or Military Administration take over my state he will relaxe under a democratic civilian Government in Abia state . my people ignore Kanu order in Anambra we are Republicans and can never take useless order

Personally I think such law is unjust . let them shoot the music anywhere its there money moreover its for international audience . I was in Uganda last year Nigeria music is trending in the clubs .

genearts:
What of biafra na

Shun tribalism it destroy .

The campaign rally for the July 22nd 2017 Lagos state local government election shall hold on SAT, 15TH, July 2017, Time:FROM 10AM, venue:AWOYAYA PRIMARY SCHOOL, Ibeju lekki, Lagos.
Please come out in mass to support our chairmanship/counsellorship candidates. UPP love and unity

Pls we much be careful not to breed extremist . if Biafra come it have to be a free and democratic state

Screen shot

Our Brothers arrested with Nnamdi Kanu abandoned and forgotten . They were brought to court Yesterday not even a single IPOB Nnamdi member was in court to show solidarity as usual .

In Memories of Biafra’s Non-Igbo Top Officials

Major General Philip Effiong –
Biafra’s Chief of General Staff and Head of State.

Brigadier Willie Archibong – Commander Biafra’s 58 Brigade – Major Battle –
Ikot Ekpene

Colonel Nsudoh – Commander 18th Battalion and 53rd brigade Major Battle – Onitsha with Col. Achuzia.

Lt. Col. Frank Okilo – Commander 14th Battalion and 63rd Brigade – Major Battle – Igrita, 15 miles to Port Harcourt till war’s end.

Col. Adigio – Commander Biafra’s 7th Battalion. – Major Battle – Calabar with Lt. Col Okafor.

Mr. N.U. Akpan – Secretary to the Eastern Region and Biafran Government.

Mr. Okon Okon Ndem – Communications officer and Broadcaster Radio Biafra.

Mr. Frank Opigo – Introduced the name “Biafra”. Former principal of Okrika Grammar School; Commissioner for Rural Development and Biafra’s administrator of Yenegoa Province.

Mr. Ekukinam Bassey – Annang Province Administrator

Mr. Ignatius Kogbara – Biafra’s representative in London

Dr. Gary Leyton – Deputy head of the Research and Production Department

Mr. Sam Inyang – Communications expert with Biafra’s Directorate of Military Intelligence.

Mr. S.E. Imoke – Chairman Rehabilitation Commission.

Dr. S.E. Cookey – Biafra’s Relief Co-ordinator.

Prof. Eyo Bassey Ndem – Biafra’s Calabar Province administrator.

Mr. S. N. Dikibo – Biafra’s Degema Province Administrator.

Mr. S. J. Edoho – Province Adminstrator, Eket.

Mr. Frank Ugbut – Province Administrator, Ogoja.

Dr. S. J. Cookey – Province Administrator, Opobo.

Chief J. Udo-Affiah – Province Administrator, Uyo.

This is the ever busy Owerri portharcurt road looking very scanty this morning

This picture is captured in Obigbo Kom-kom railway igweocha....one of the busiest place in obigbo....SIT-AT-HOME has kicked off..

All fuel stations here along PH/Enugu express road near gasline Aba closed

HEAD BRIDGE Onitsha

Popular development secondary school ama-hausa owerri and all the schools and banks I visited on lock down.not even one student in school and few teachers.

Anambra

below is some photos ... Nkpor Onitsha Anambra state

Nnamdi Kanu’s lawyer Ugwuonye barred from practice in Nigeria ON MAY 24, 20174:07 PMIN

NEWSCOMMENTS Emeka Ephraim Ugwuonye , the lawyer to Mr. Nnamdi Kanu, leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, who recently joined the legal team that sought the release of Mr. Kanu from Kuje prison has been reportedly temporarily barred from legal practice in Nigeria. The former United States-based Nigerian lawyer, who was disbarred in New York and Maryland for professional misconduct, was yesterday also disbarred in Nigeria, to which he had relocated, for the same offense.

Read more at: http://www.vanguardngr.com/2017/05/nnamdi-kanus-lawyer-ugwuonye-barred-practice-nigeria/

Photo News: Massob Members Dressed In Military Camouflage Parade In South East to celebrate the 17yrs of Ralph Uwazuruike Inauguration of Massob in an activities that will end on 30th of May

*BREAKING NEWS!!!*
An Enugu High Court have given an order of *MANDAMUS* compelling *INEC* to abide by the decision of party in recognizing *Chief Martin Agbaso as the National Chairman of APGA*. And also an order restraining *INEC* from recognizing any other person as National Chairman of APGA except *Chief Martin Agbaso*. The court went further to compel the *Nigerian Police Force* to comply with the decision of the party

I say no to jungle justice