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Leo Igwe is a Nigerian human rights advocate and humanist. Igwe is a former Western and Southern African representative of the International Humanist and Ethical Union, and has specialized in campaigning

Lifestyle Nigeria News and Headlines 

Witch Persecution and Jungle Justice in Abia State.

Leo Igwe,
The Advocacy for Alleged Witches (AfAW) deplores the torture and dehumanizing treatment of Mrs. Amarachi Okechi from Umueghu in Amaegbuato autonomous community Nkpa Bende Local Government, Abia state. A video that is circulating on social media shows some youths flogging this woman while some people looked on. Family sources told AfAW that some persons accused Mrs. Okechi of witchcraft after… Read More
Africa 

Opinion: People with dementia are not witches, they need care and support

Leo Igwe,
By Leo Igwe The Advocacy for Alleged Witches (AfAW) has urged Nigerians to stop branding persons with dementia witches because this mental health issue has nothing to do with the superstitious belief in witchcraft and magic. This statement has become necessary following a visit to Ann Soberekon’s family in Port Harcourt Rivers state. Ann Soberekon, a grandmother and retired lab… Read More
Nigeria News and Headlines 

Muslim-Muslim Ticket: A Humanist Perspective on Real versus Idealpolitik in Nigeria

Leo Igwe
By Leo Igwe The decision by the All Progressives Congress (APC) to field a Muslim -Muslim presidential ticket in the 2023 presidential elections has generated heated debates. Various religious organizations, mainly Christian and Muslim groups have reacted to this decision. They have voiced their support and opposition to the ticket. In this piece, I provide a humanist perspective on this… Read More
Nigeria News and Headlines 

Witch Persecution and Rescue in Benue State

Leo Igwe,
By Leo Igwe Someone drew the attention of the Advocacy of Alleged Witches (AfAW) to an incident of witchcraft accusation at Shangev Tiev, Konshisha LGA Benue State. One Terzungwe made a post justifying the maltreatment of the accused. He stated: “That witch in Konshisha who was attacked by the youths for killing a young man the other day deserved what… Read More
Lifestyle 

Treat Witch Persecution in Africa With Urgency

Leo Igwe
By Leo Igwe The Advocacy for Alleged Witches(AfAW) welcomes the Pontifical Mission Societies’ declaration of August 10 as the World Day Against Witch hunts. Although the catholic church is one of the drivers of this violent campaign, concerned individuals and organisations should take advantage of this day to spotlight this dark and destructive phenomenon. It is pertinent to take this… Read More
Human Rights Lifestyle 

Malawi: Invite Medical Experts Not Witch doctors to School in Mchinji

Leo Igwe,
By Leo Igwe The Advocacy for Alleged Witches has urged Malawian authorities not to allow witchdoctors into Mpita Primary School in Mchinji following the fainting of some students. This appeal is in response to a suggestion by the Chairperson for the Parents Teachers Association at the institution, Lester Bamusi that the incident was perpetrated through magic. Bamusi said that a… Read More

Humanist Ceremonies and Celebrations Without Religion in Nigeria

Leo Igwe
By Leo Igwe Humanist ceremonies are performances that enable atheists, agnostics, humanists, and nonbelievers to mark occasions and milestones in their lives in ways that are consistent with their values. They provide alternatives to religious celebrations of weddings, naming, funerals, etc. Unlike religious events, humanist ceremonies are not performed in the name of any deity or some supernatural entity. They… Read More
Africa 

Human Augmentation, Anticipation Initiative and African Youths

Leo Igwe
By Leo Igwe Human Augmentation projects the capacitation of human beings beyond their natural abilities and limitations. It is a basic aspiration of human beings, and has been going on since the emergence of humans. Human enhancement is both physical and cognitive and promises to cure and overcome diseases and disabilities that encumber and debilitate human existence. Interestingly, human augmentation… Read More
Human Rights Nigeria News and Headlines 

Nonbelievers and Freedom of Religion or Belief in Nigeria

Leo Igwe,
By Leo Igwe If Nigerian parliamentarians were to organize an event on freedom of religion or belief by, religious nonbelievers would not be invited or consulted. This is not because the nonreligious community does not exist. In Nigeria, nonbelievers are treated as social outcasts. In some parts of the country, they consider nonbelievers criminals who should be locked up, jailed,… Read More
Human Rights Opinions 

Religious Politics, Quadruple Heritage and Prospects of Humanism in Africa

Leo Igwe,
By Leo Igwe Thank you for inviting me to address you on this important occasion, the World Humanist Day, and for the opportunity to share my thoughts on the intersection between religious politics and humanism in Africa. Africa is a huge continent with diverse socio-cultural and political realities. But the continent is too often conflated and treated like a village… Read More