Written by 

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

Nigeria WitchCraft Lifestyle 

2020-2030: Decade of Activism Against Witch Persecution in Africa

The Advocacy for Alleged Witches (AfAW) hereby announces a Decade of Activism against Witch Persecution in Africa: 2020-2030. The main objective of this initiative is to create a witch hunting free Africa by sensitizing Africans on witch hunting and spearheading the advocacy for alleged witches in Africa within the next ten years. To realize this objective, AfAW will engage in… Read More
Lifestyle Science 

Atheism and Family Persecution: A Case from Central Nigeria

While there has been an overwhelming emphasis on the pervasiveness of religiosity and god belief in Nigeria, little attention has been paid to the plight of non religious people; especially those who disbelieve in God like atheists. There is limited information on the oppression and persecution of atheists and the fact that such persecutions are linked to the invisibility of… Read More
Africa 

Catholic School Expels Students for Homosexuality

A  catholic mission school, Bishop Nwedo Memorial Boys’ High School, in Umuahia, has expelled over 20 students for practicing homosexuality. The school management dismissed these students on the day that there were to commence their first term examination. Affected students were in junior as well as senior secondary school levels. According to a local source, the school authorities organised a prayer… Read More
Nigeria News and Headlines 

Saving Innocent Lives: Witchcraft Allegations and Native Medicine in Edo State

Intervening in cases of witchcraft allegations and witch hunting is a moral duty. It is a social obligation that should be fulfilled. Victims of witchcraft allegations are usually defenceless, helpless vulnerable members of the population, children, elderly persons and people living with disabilities. Witch persecution takes various forms: torture, banishment and trial by ordeal. Witchcraft accusation is a form of… Read More
Lifestyle Nigeria News and Headlines 

Islam, Social Media and Rise of Atheism in Northern Nigeria

Atheism was the focus of a seminar by the Centre for Islamic Civilization and Interfaith Dialogue (CICID) at the Bayero University Kano. The seminar was held on September 12, 2019. Panelists explored the topic: Social Media and the Rise of Atheism among the Muslim Youths in Northern Nigeria. Causes, Consequences, and Recommendations. One wonders why this little known organization decided… Read More
Nigeria News and Headlines Science 

Liberty Church Mob Attack in Calabar: Ten Years After

Ten years ago today, members of the Liberty Gospel Church attacked and robbed me in Calabar. They invaded a conference that I organized to highlight abuses linked to witchcraft beliefs in the region. Harmful practices related to witchcraft beliefs are pervasive in Nigeria. However, Cross Rivers and Akwa Ibom states were notorious due to widespread abuses and abandonment of suspected… Read More
Lifestyle OP-ED 

UN: Witch Hunting Requires An International Response

Protection of citizens is one of the state’s most overarching obligations. Accordingly a modern State must fulfill or be made to fulfill this duty. This is because in our westphalian world order of nation states, the State is the central organ for social and political organization; the mechanism for the maintenance of law and order. The State is supposed to… Read More
Nigeria News and Headlines OP-ED 

Humanism and Discrimination against Women in Nigeria

Humanists in Nigeria marked this year’s world humanist day in style. The international humanist day is celebrated on June 21 every year, but humanists in Lagos organized on June 23 a special seminar that focused on the rights of women. At a time that the me-too movement is spreading across the globe and the ‘church-too’ version led to protests in… Read More
Lifestyle Nigeria News and Headlines 

Humanism and Transformation of Medical Missions in Nigeria

By Leo Igwe Humanism stands for change, for socio-cultural change and progress. And in Nigeria`s health sector, some change is imminent. The humanist movement is set to transform the landscape of medical and health care delivery because the medical sector is one area where religious privilege is quite pronounced. On June 23, 2019, the Humanist Association of Nigeria (HAN) recorded… Read More
OP-ED Southern Africa 

Zambia: Will Government Stop Atheist Gathering in October?

By Leo Igwe  The government of Zambia has been urged to disallow a humanist meeting slated for October in Lusaka. A Zambian, Chibesa Kalandwe 11, made a post on his Facebook page urging the country’s Ministry of Religious Affairs and Guidance to ensure that this event did not go ahead. The post reads: The Ministry of Religious Affairs and Guidance should immediately… Read More
Social media & sharing icons powered by UltimatelySocial