Angelus Blog

Photo credit: freepik.com In Africa, particularly in Nigeria, the color black is often negatively associated with witchcraft. Despite black symbolizing power, authority, and elegance, many Nigerians—especially in rural areas—frequently label elderly, dark-skinned women as witches. This perception is unjust and harmful. It is rare to find a fair-skinned woman suspected or accused of witchcraft in Africa. This is largely because fair complexions are often associated with innocence and harmlessness. I recall an incident years ago when a spirit was consulted to identify the witch or wizard responsible for the death of a two-month-old baby boy. To the surprise of many, a fair-skinned woman was accused of being behind the tragedy. In many African cultures, colors carry profound symbolic meanings connected to nature, spirituality, and societal values. The symbolism of black and white is far more complex than a simple good-versus-evil contrast often seen in Western cultures. Black frequently r...

The Girl Child And Her Father From the outset, I want to focus on a specific case study: a 16-year-old girl I’ll refer to as Loveth. I have witnessed Loveth grow up in my neighborhood, observing the strong emotional bond she developed with her father. Starting from the age of two, Loveth was often seen playing and sharing meals with him. She insisted that her father take her to school and pick her up, maintaining this routine until she completed secondary school. Due to their close relationship, neighbors affectionately teased her with nicknames such as "daddy's wife," "daddy's girlfriend," or simply "daddy's girl." Following her secondary education, many assumed that Loveth's attachment to her father would lessen, but instead, it intensified. Her mother often humorously referred to Loveth as her rival, and the couple would laugh about it, while she pondered why her daughter preferred to discuss her intimate feelings with her fathe...

Artist's Impression of Husband and Wife. Courtesy, Shutterstock A 78-year-old man has been struggling with loneliness since his wife, aged 65, traveled abroad three months ago to care for their daughter who recently had a baby. She is expected to return after this period. During her absence, the only people living with him are a maid, a driver, and a cook, all residing in the boys’ quarters behind his bungalow. The elderly man expresses deep discomfort and emotional coldness without his wife’s presence. He now contemplates marrying a second wife because his wife has indicated she might extend her stay abroad to four months. Despite his Christian faith, which forbids polygamy, he insists that if she does not return within the agreed three months, he will disregard these religious constraints and find another woman to keep him company. He explains that the maid and cook cannot fulfill the emotional and personal care his wife provides, emphasizing that the unique bond and affection ...

On Sunday, August 27, 2023, a tragic incident occurred in the Izzi community of Ebonyi State. A 20-year-old young woman, Nwaedoka Chidimma, allegedly abandoned her newborn son in a pit toilet shortly after delivery. Two days later, on August 29, residents heard the baby’s cries and rescued him. The Anambra State Commissioner for Women and Social Welfare, Mrs. Ify Obinabo, immediately intervened, ensuring the child was taken to Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu Teaching Hospital, Amaku Awka, for urgent treatment. Sadly, despite efforts to save him, the baby passed away the following day.   A resident, Esther, recounted that Chidimma had secured a farm job in the community while pregnant. During work, she excused herself to use the toilet and returned bleeding heavily—an ominous sign of what had transpired.   This heartbreaking case highlights the devastating consequences of pregnancies outside marriage. While it is difficult to imagine a married woman committing such an act...

Judas Iscariot The name Judas has become a byword for betrayal, treason, and treachery. Most people know the biblical story of Judas Iscariot, who betrayed Jesus Christ. To non-Christians, this may appear as just another tale of the trials faced by the Son of God. However, for Christians, the story of Judas Iscariot’s betrayal leaves a bitter impression every time it is told. In today’s world, the spirit of Judas Iscariot is present in nearly every sphere of life, often disguised so cleverly that uncovering him requires great effort—some even say it takes divine grace to recognize him in time. He lurks in homes, workplaces, relationships, and especially in political arenas. Within families, whether nuclear or extended, many Judases operate covertly, stabbing you in the back while pretending to offer comfort. In workplaces, Judas betrays colleagues before superiors and works tirelessly to undermine anyone trying to break free from his control, often succeeding in causing damage befor...

The debate over whether age should influence the election or appointment of individuals into leadership positions, particularly political offices, has been ongoing worldwide. Advocates for prioritizing competence over age argue that the ability to lead effectively should be the key criterion, not the number of years a person has lived. They often cite examples like the current U.S. President, Joe Biden, who at 79 years old is regarded by many as performing well in office. Supporters of this view maintain that as long as a candidate is in good physical and mental health, age should not be a barrier to leadership. They emphasize that leadership primarily involves executive functions—setting goals and overseeing their achievement—rather than physically performing every task. According to them, a leader’s role is to monitor and guide rather than be physically present for every action. On the other hand, opponents argue that older individuals, especially those above 65, should be discourage...

The characteristics of the  girl are different from those of the boy child in many ways. Apart from the biological and physical attributes, there are other attributes of the female child which requires her to be given special attention as she grows up. In this piece, we shall analyze those traits and suggest how they should be utilized for the optimal development of the girl child.   Relating with the Opposite Sex. The girl child in her usual way is the shy type. She consciously or unconsciously chooses her play mate(s) be it her fellow girls or  boys of her age that she can easily relate with. Parents should watch their girl child as she goes through this developmental stage, which is usually around the age range of eight and ten years.   Education .  During her formative years in school,  special attention should be given to her to ensure that she remains focused on her intended career because the dangerous and wrong notion that the female child is ofte...

Intertribal Marriage in Nigeria  - Federal Character  Nigeria, a diverse country in West Africa, is home to people of many cultures and traditions. Each region boasts unique languages, and the people take great pride in communicating with one another in their native tongues. Although English, a legacy of British colonial rule, serves as the country’s lingua franca, indigenous languages remain a powerful bond that unites communities in numerous ways. The pride in native languages is so strong that those who cannot speak the local language often find it difficult to fully integrate, especially among indigenes who prefer to converse exclusively in their mother tongue. This language barrier has extended beyond everyday communication and has become a significant obstacle in other areas of life, notably intertribal marriage—the focus of this discussion. Differences in language between prospective couples have frequently hindered successful intertribal unions in Nigeria, though exc...