The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has praised Evangelist Ebuka Obi, founder of the Zion Ministry, for his decision to relocate his church from Lagos to the South-East region of Nigeria. The relocation of the Zion Ministry to Ngor Okpala Local Government Area (LGA) in Imo State has been hailed by IPOB as a significant and timely move that demonstrates Obi's commitment to the development of his homeland.
In a statement released by IPOB’s spokesman, Emma Powerful, the group encouraged other Igbo people living outside the South-East to follow Obi's example by bringing their investments, businesses, and industries back to the region. The call for relocation is part of IPOB's broader agenda to strengthen the economic and social fabric of the South-East by encouraging the return of wealth and resources that have been developed elsewhere.
Emma Powerful expressed gratitude to those who supported the Zion Ministry’s move and commended the people of Ngor Okpala, particularly the communities of Amala, Ntu, and Eziama, for providing the land where the ministry is now situated. IPOB also urged the youths and traditional leaders of Ngor Okpala to work together to ensure the area remains crime-free, which would attract more businesses and create job opportunities for the local population.
Powerful highlighted the significance of this move, noting that the annual 100-day closing convention of the Zion Ministry, which used to draw crowds to Lagos, will now boost local economic activities in the East. He also emphasized that the relocation aligns with IPOB’s long-standing advocacy for the repatriation of Igbo investments to the South-East.
In his closing remarks, Emma Powerful saluted existing businesses and industries in the region, such as Innoson Vehicle Manufacturing Company, Ibeto Group, Masters Energy Ltd, Coscharis Farms, and others, for their contributions to the local economy. He reiterated IPOB's call for more Igbo-owned enterprises to either partially or fully relocate to the South-East to further drive the region's economic growth.
