From David Onwuchekwa, Nnewi
Igbo from far and near trooped out in their large numbers to Ikedife Hospital, Otolo-Nnewi, Anambra State to participate in Deoxyrinonucleic Acid (DNA) test being conducted by Jewish scientists to determine the validity of the claims that the Igbo are Jews.
The exercise, which took place along Igwe Orizu Road, was sponsored by Jewish Voice Ministry International based in the United States of America and Redeemed Israel Community with Bishop Ignatius Orizu as its national president.
The programme started as early as 7.00am when people arrived from every part of Igbo land to take part in the cell screening exercise while few policemen were seen in the hospital premises to ensure a hitch free medical exercise.
The former president general of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Dr. Dozie Ikedife (Ikenga Nnewi) told Daily Sun that there had been stories of Jewish/Igbo relations based on archaeological discoveries and mythology.
He said the Isreali-Yaweh group came into the country to take a random sampling of cells from the people in the South East for studies so as to carry out a DNA analysis for comparison in Houston Texas, USA.
Ikedife noted that the idea was to establish, scientifically, the relationship of the two groups of people, noting that it was necessary to satisfy the curiosity and answer the questions in the minds of many for quite some time.
The former Ohanaeze Ndigbo president general said the world had gone advanced that cellular examination could be used to establish the claim or otherwise.
“In this modern time, such claims of relationship should not be left in the domain of mythological theories alone. There is need to subject the claim to scientific proof.
“If at the end of the day, it is confirmed that we are relations, we would remain brothers and friends, but, if it proves negative, we remain friends. My curiosity is based on the fact that I studied Anthropology as well as Medicine,” Ikedife explained.
He said the result of the cell examination is expected to be out in August this year.