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...

https://fb.watch/z34DrR81HB/?mibextid=Nif5oz Watch the Good Friday Passion Play performed at St. Peter's Parish Ota Ogun State Abeokuta Diocese .

Picture: protesters in Lagos, Nigeria . Between August 1 and 10, 2024, during the #ENDBADGOVERNANCE and Hunger Protests in Nigeria, an online campaign emerged in Lagos State calling for Igbos to vacate the city. The campaign, tagged #IgbosMustGo, was driven by unidentified individuals who announced that their efforts would be “intensified” between August 20 and 30, 2024. The use of the word intensified suggests that the campaign had been quietly ongoing but was now being openly promoted. Its message was clear: Igbos from the Eastern region residing in Lagos should leave the state. Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu strongly condemned the campaign, describing it as reckless and senseless. He urged law enforcement agencies to identify and prosecute those behind it. At the time of writing, however, there has been no official statement confirming whether the perpetrators have been apprehended. Yet, the focus here is not on arrests or prosecutions, but on how diverse groups within a geopolitical ...

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...

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 growing divide between Northern and Southern Nigeria is fueled by escalating tensions rooted in agricultural conflicts involving individuals and groups across the country. This dangerous trend must be halted to preserve the fragile peace that has existed among Nigeria’s diverse ethnic groups since independence in 1960. Cattle rearing, a significant aspect of animal husbandry, is predominantly practiced by peasant farmers and businesspeople in Northern Nigeria. While cattle rearing occurs in other regions, the scale of the trade is far greater in the North. The Fulani nomads, primarily among the Hausa, dominate this sector, moving their herds across the country in search of quality grazing land. Unfortunately, as these animals roam, they often stray into farmlands, consuming and destroying crops. This destruction has frequently sparked violent clashes between farmers and herdsmen, sometimes resulting in fatalities among those directly or indirectly involved. Some have proposed desig...

In many religions and other spheres of human endeavor, sins are believed to be forgivable through intermediaries of God—priests, prophets, or spiritual leaders. The process of forgiveness is rooted in faith, belief, and sometimes conjecture. Within religious circles, sin is clearly defined as “an immoral act considered a transgression against divine law.” In the secular world, forgiveness takes on a different meaning. Some argue that humans often lack the capacity to forgive certain betrayals or dishonest acts. Instead of pardon, retaliation becomes the instinctive response to wrongdoing. Politics mirrors this unforgiving nature. Whether in democratic systems or military regimes, in advanced nations or developing states, the concept of political sin emerges. A political sin is any offence—committed knowingly or unknowingly—against a party, its members, or its power structures. Unlike religious sins, these are rarely, if ever, pardoned. The nature of politicians is often described as ...

A SUV driving through a bad road   Over the years, many analysts—both foreign and local—have attributed Nigeria’s persistent underdevelopment primarily to corruption. They argue that financial crimes committed by corrupt individuals, regardless of their status or age, have stifled the nation’s economic, social, and political progress. However, we contend that corruption alone is not the root cause of Nigeria’s challenges. Rather, it is the collective foolishness of the people that has long hindered the country’s advancement. The following points illustrate this perspective: When a Nigerian acquires wealth illegally, they often squander it on luxury items such as expensive SUVs, which they drive on poorly maintained, pothole-ridden roads. This behavior exemplifies extreme folly—not only because the wealth was stolen in the first place, but also because it is selfishly used to the detriment of the broader society. Consider a Nigerian who embezzles funds intended for improving the cou...

The focus of this piece is the lingering Boko Haram crisis in the Northern part of Nigeria. The crisis, which started like a child's play has consumed millions of people, both Nigerians and none Nigerians alike. . Up till now, no one can say for sure, the originator of this deadly group, which has over time, built connections across the country. Abubakar Shekau, who was touted to be the commander of the terrorist group has reportedly died and resurrected several times. The real leader of the group remains an enigma up till this day. The Nigerian government and other African countries have spent huge resources, both human and material to fight this scourge, yet, it remains a festering wound, which keeps inflicting excruciating pain on the victim.  The big question then is: what do these people want; what are  their grievances? How can the country assuage their yearnings and  ensure that they lay down their arms genuinely and do not  go back to their old ways? Well, pe...