Chukwuemeka Cyril Ohanaemere// [1] (born 9 September 1982), predominantly known as Odùméje, is a Nigerian clergyman as the general overseer of The Mountain of Holy Ghost Intervention and Deliverance Ministry,[2] and a musician.[3]
Chukwuemeka Odùméje | |
|---|---|
| Born | Chukwuemeka Ohanaemere September 9, 1982 |
| Other names | Odùméje |
| Occupation | Pastor |
| Spouse | Uju Ohanaemere née Ogbatuo |
| Children | 5 |
Early life
editOdùméje was born in Anambra State, Nigeria into a family of six children as the third-born child of Mr and Mrs Pius Ohanaemere.
He grew up hustling to make ends meet. Before going full-time into ministry, Odùméje had his humble days as a struggling leather designer on the streets of the buzzing and busy Onitsha city in Anambra state.
He had his secondary school education at Providence Secondary School after his primary education at Nweje. He desired to go further, but he went into a leather business due to financial constraints, where he first served as an apprentice.[4]
Religious activity
editOdumeje's claimed methods of healing earned him the title; "The wrestling pastor" [5] Odumeje had a feud with a former female associate, known as Ada Jesus, who accused him of being a false prophet and a charlatan who stage managed miracles.[6] Upon being described as a “money-inclined show maker” he declared his detractors to be noisemakers.[7]
In March 2022, his church building was identified as one of the houses obstructing drainage channels in Okpoko, Onitsha, and a part of the church was marked for demolition. The Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo had pledged to clear the drainage channels to check flooding in the area.[8] He was manhandled by the government officials that came for the demolition exercise as he tried to stop them from carrying out the operation. However, Governor Soludo reacted to the incident by promising to discipline those who manhandled Odumeje and also warned that the pastor should be ready to bear the cost of demolition since he was given adequate notice before the exercise was carried out.[9]
Controversy
editOdumeje has sometimes stoked controversy by his utterances and comic relief.[10] In a Business Day Oped, Odumeje's brand of religious theatrics was described as "religious charlatanism and comic relief".[11] In response to a lot of the criticisms referring to him as a fake prophet, Odumeje says "I am not fake prophet".[12]
In 2023, he was quoted by newspapers as warning Nigerian pastors to "stop praying for Israel or I will make you deaf, dumb"[13] in reference to Israel's war in Gaza. In 2024, he was also quoted to have threatened to kill social media critics.[14][15] In response to the recent massive depreciation of Nigeria's currency, the Naira, Odumeje said "Naira depreciates because I travelled out of Nigeria".[16]
Entertainment
editOdumeje has featured on musical works and has also hosted comedy shows.[17] He is a singer and musician[18] and is said to have started his musical career long before becoming a clergy. Most notably, he released a song with Flavour.[19][20] He is prolific and well known for making people laugh, bringing much comic relief in a nation burdened with so much socio-economic issues.[21]
Personal life
editOdumeje is married to Uju Ohanaemere.[22]
References
edit- ^ "Prophet Odumeje urges FG to lift proscription of IPOB as terror group". Vanguard News. 11 June 2020. Archived from the original on 12 April 2021. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
- ^ editing (6 December 2020). "Abia Governor Suspends Chief Of Staff Agbazuere After Spraying Cash On Controversial Pastor Odumeje". Sahara Reporters. Archived from the original on 12 April 2021. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
- ^ "Prophet Odumeje unmasked". 9 August 2020.
- ^ "Who is Prophet Chukwuemeka Odumeje? a.k.a the Indaboski Bahose". Clacified. Archived from the original on 12 April 2021. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
- ^ Falade, Faderera (15 November 2019). "'Wrestling Pastor', Chukwuemeka Odumeje Has A Word For His Critics". Naija News. Archived from the original on 12 April 2021. Retrieved 12 April 2021.
- ^ "Latest gist on Ada Jesus, Prophet Odumeje, Rita Edochie and Chi Marine Temple palava". BBC News Pidgin. 12 April 2021. Archived from the original on 13 April 2021. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
- ^ "From secular dance to self-praise, dramatic deliverance sessions... meet Odumeje, the 'Indaboski'". TheCable Lifestyle. 29 April 2020. Archived from the original on 13 April 2021. Retrieved 13 April 2021.
- ^ "Anambra Pastor, Odumeje Beaten by Security Agents, Church Demolished – THISDAYLIVE". www.thisdaylive.com. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
- ^ "Odumeje reacts to church demolition". Punch Newspapers. 16 July 2022. Retrieved 16 August 2022.
- ^ "Pastor Odumeje's Comic Relief – THISDAYLIVE". www.thisdaylive.com. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
- ^ BusinessDay (1 May 2024). "Religious charlatanism in Nigeria and Odumeje's dangerous comic relief". Businessday NG. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
{{cite web}}:|last=has generic name (help) - ^ Opejobi, Seun (14 March 2024). "'I'm not fake prophet' - Odumeje". Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
- ^ Onu, Stephen (23 October 2023). "'Stop praying for Israel, or I will make you deaf, dumb', Prophet Odumeje to Nigerian pastors". www.premiumtimesng.com. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
- ^ Sobowale, Adetutu (11 September 2024). "Odumeje threatens to kill social media critics". Punch Newspapers. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
- ^ Shotayo, Nurudeen (11 September 2024). "'I don't use police' - Odumeje issues death threat against social media critics". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
- ^ Ugwu, Francis (26 April 2024). "'Naira depreciates because I travelled out of Nigeria' - Prophet Odumeje". Daily Post Nigeria. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
- ^ Sulaimon, Muhibat (11 April 2024). "EXTRA: Table for 10 costs £1000 as Odumeje hosts 'comedy' show in London". TheCable. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
- ^ Owolawi, Taiwo (14 May 2024). ""What went wrong?" Old video of Prophet Odumeje as a young guy trends". Legit.ng - Nigeria news. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
- ^ Alake, Olumide (31 March 2024). ""I'm about to release my powers": Odumeje samples new song with Flavour". Legit.ng - Nigeria news. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
- ^ Adebiyi, Adeayo (12 April 2024). "Odumeje unleashes the power of 'Abido Shaker' on new single featuring Flavour". Pulse Nigeria. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
- ^ Rapheal (14 March 2024). "The Odumeje tomfoolery powers". The Sun Nigeria. Retrieved 15 September 2024.
- ^ Yaakugh, Kumashe (17 May 2020). "Odumeje's wife is not related to Eddy Nawgu - Rita Edochie says, shares photos". www.legit.ng. Archived from the original on 12 April 2021. Retrieved 12 April 2021.