On my first trip to Nigeria in 2005, I spent over a month teaching English at a government junior secondary school for girls in Benin City. Every Wednesday someone would come to preach in the name of Christian faith to the children before school. One Wednesday I decided to hear the message presented to the children.

“The witch cried yesterday and the child died today, who does not know that it was the witch that cried yesterday that killed the child who died today” Yoruba proverb.

In Africa, superstitions are common and widespread. They include absurd claims and conceptions. Crafted by primitive human beings, these irrational beliefs permeate all aspects of African thought and culture: family life, farming, trading, mining, politics, film industry, etc. And one of the most potent African superstitions is belief in witchcraft.

In September 2006, a friend and I boarded a bus for Benin-City.

As we were about to leave, a small, middle-aged man jumped in to address the passengers. “I greet you all in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth.”

“Welcome and thank you, man of God”, replied the passengers and bus driver.

National Association of Philosophy Students—Nigeria in conjunction with the Secular Student Alliance—USA presents the first National Philosophical Essay Competition. Theme: Philosophy and Rationalism: Solutions to Africa's Underdevelopment.

Nigerian Humanist Movement warmly invites all humanist scholars, students, supporters, youths, activists and friends to its 2007 Annual Convention. The Convention will be held on Friday August 24 to Saturday August 25, 2007 at The Amphitheatre, River State University of Science and Technology, Port Harcourt, River State, Nigeria.

The Nigerian Humanist Movement has condemned the recent murder of a school teacher by Muslim students in Gombe state. The teacher was beaten to death for allegedly desecrating the Koran. Humanists are deeply worried by this killing, which was carried out less than a year after a similar accusation led to riots and deaths in Bauchi state.

Eze Dr. Enyeribe Onuoha, traditional Head of the Umuchieze people has been elected Chair of the Nigerian Humanist Movement (NHM).

The erudite Dr. Onuoha, whose official title is His Royal Highness, was IHEU’s invited-speaker from Nigeria at the World Humanist Congress in Paris. He started as a clergy man, but abandoned his Roman Catholic faith in favour of Humanism.

After his election as Chair of NHM, Dr.

Scornfully referred to as sacrificial lambs to the gods (ndi ejiri goro ihe in the Ibo language), the Osu are the untouchables of Nigeria. They are stereotyped as lazy, dirty and dishonest, and are shunned by the rest of society for their alleged repulsive body odour. IHN focuses on the plight of nearly two million unfortunate human beings who, despite legislation designed to help them overcome their social disability, continue to be at the bottom of society, and are generally considered the scum of the earth.

IHEU member organisation Nigerian Humanist Movement will be hosting an international conference to mark its 10th anniversary

Date: June 20th - 21st 20006
Venue: Banquet Hall, University of Benin, Edo State
Theme: Defending Secularism

Speakers include:
Norm Allen, Executive Director, African Americans for Humanism, USA
Hugo Estrella, International Director, Center for Inquiry, USA
Fadel Niang, Professor, Ecole Supérieure Polytehcnique - Senegal and Executive Director Center for Inquiry-Senegal

The Nigerian Humanist Movement has condemned a recent move by the Nigerian government to ban same-sex marriages. On January 18, 2006, the Federal Executive Council approved a bill that prohibits same-sex marriages and relationships. The bill provides for a prison term of up to five years without the option of a fine for anyone who contracts marriage or has a relationship with a person of the same sex, and for anyone who aids or supports in any way a same-sex marriage or relationship.