Obianuju Ekeocha to speak in Ottawa at free clergy luncheon

Craig Macartney
Spur Ottawa Writer

The Trudeau government has committed more than half a billion dollars to funding abortion overseas (more than five times what it spent on famine relief in Africa). Many people do not realize the government is also prioritizing aid to nations that legalize abortion and limiting aid to nations or organizations that do not allow the practice.

While the new policy was wildly applauded by Canadian media, it is receiving a different response in Africa, where 65 percent of the $650 million allocated for abortions is being sent.

“This is how most Africans (at least by current surveys) see abortion: as a direct attack on the life of the innocent,” says Obianuju Ekeocha (Uju), an outspoken Nigerian activist and founder of Culture of Life Africa. “The Canadian government’s unsolicited abortion-funding will be seen by millions across Africa as an assault on women, men, innocent children, and families.”

“This is an abuse of power and in many ways it is a cruel form of oppression of the poor.”

Uju says although abortion lobbies have worked hard to break through in Africa, the cultural resistance has made headway extremely difficult. In many African nations abortion is outlawed except in extreme circumstance. However, with so much money tied to abortion funding, Uju worries the “Trudeau abortion-funding scheme” will begin eroding her culture.

“Canada’s ideologically tainted aid is being seen as a move towards ideological supremacy,” she explains. “When I see the powerful West pushing its understanding and attitude towards what the Africans objectively see as killing, and when these wealthier nations go as far as the Trudeau administration to fund abortions in poorer countries, I call this ideological and cultural neo-colonization. This is an abuse of power and in many ways it is a cruel form of oppression of the poor.”

“The recent decision by the Trudeau administration signals deliberate disrespect for the people and cultures of Africa.”

On November 7, Uju intends to bring this message right to Parliament Hill. She will be speaking at a parliamentary breakfast organized by Member of Parliament David Anderson and Campaign Life Coalition (CLC). CLC also arranged a free, ecumenical clergy luncheon for pastors from across Ottawa to come hear her speak on November 8, at the National House of Prayer.

“The hope is to bring awareness to the clergy of what is going on with our government,” says Debbie Duval, National Capital Organizer for CLC. “They are tying aid to abortion. You don’t change your values, you don’t get any clean water. We have to oppose this.”

Johanne Brownrigg, CLC’s government relations officer, says throughout its history, Canada has built a strong name for itself, internationally. She says African leaders have shared with them how the maternal, child, and newborn health initiative championed under the previous administration (which did not include abortion funding) significantly elevated the respect developing nations had for Canada.

By allocating already limited funding from the maternal health initiative toward overturning abortion laws will cost more lives.

“A century and a half of a good reputation and what it took to build that is now being leveraged to force a policy of death into these unsuspecting countries,” she says. “In this foreign policy directive, it states that they want to overturn the laws. Countries will be expected to reimagine themselves.”

“It is my understanding that there should be a two-way respect in bilateral relationships of nations, regardless of wealth or development,” Uju states. “The recent decision by the Trudeau administration signals deliberate disrespect for the people and cultures of Africa.”

One of Uju’s concerns is that by allocating already limited funding from the maternal health initiative toward overturning abortion laws, it takes away funding from actual maternal healthcare and that will cost more lives.

“What is most heartbreaking is that this will lead directly to the abortion of Africa’s precious pre-born babies.”

“These funds were carefully earmarked to support obstetric care, neonatal care, antenatal and postnatal care, all of which are much needed in many parts of the developing world. Canada has been exemplary in their foreign aid policies which have impacted and saved the lives of so many. But what is most heartbreaking is that some of this funding will lead directly to the abortion of Africa’s precious pre-born babies.”

By speaking with Ottawa’s Christian pastors and leaders, Uju hopes to inspire believers to rally together and take a stand against the ideological promotion of death.

“Above all, the Canadian Church can and should pray for the millions of lives that will be put at risk directly due to the new Canadian abortion-funding initiatives.”

CLC asks pastors and leaders wishing to attend the clergy luncheon to RSVP.