Chukwuma Soludo has called on church leaders and members of the laity council to play a more active role in transforming society, stressing that both governance and religious knighthood should be measured by meaningful impact rather than titles or status.
Speaking during the All Knights Day celebration at St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the governor revealed that the Anambra State government has launched a crackdown on what he described as “fake pastors” accused of exploiting vulnerable citizens with promises of “salvation without sacrifice.”
According to Soludo, several suspects have already been arrested and are currently making confessions as part of ongoing investigations.
He said the operation forms part of efforts to build what he described as “a new Anambra” founded on honesty, discipline, and hard work rather than deception and manipulation.
The governor also defended the state’s controversial burial reform law, explaining that it was introduced to reduce excessive funeral spending and ease financial pressure on families. He noted that the policy encourages modest and dignified burials instead of extravagant ceremonies driven by social pressure.
Soludo urged religious leaders and knights of the church to show courage in confronting societal challenges and promoting moral values.
“Governance and knighthood must prioritise the right path for societal development instead of the easy route,” he said, while cautioning against elitism within religious circles.
