Angelus Blog

Since gaining independence from Britain on October 1, 1960, Nigeria’s leadership has largely been dominated by the capitalist elite. These individuals have accumulated immense wealth, with some possessing assets that rival the nation’s own. In this system, educational achievement alone rarely secures political leadership—whether at the presidential, legislative, or even local government level—without strong connections to the ruling class. Political “godfathers” wield enormous influence, determining who rises or falls within the political hierarchy. Even promises of support can be withdrawn at the last moment if loyalty is questioned. This entrenched arrangement has widened the gap between rich and poor, creating a deeply unbalanced society. Efforts by citizens, particularly the youth, to challenge the status quo through elections have often failed, as the ruling elite manipulate outcomes through vote-buying or collusion with corrupt officials. Nigeria’s youth, who make up the majority...

Under normal circumstances, law enforcement officers—whether military or paramilitary—are expected to uphold law and order and maintain strict discipline at all times. However, a recent video reveals a disturbing deviation from this norm. An officer of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) was caught participating in the looting of a palliatives warehouse in Gwagwalada, within the Federal Capital Territory of Abuja, Nigeria, alongside angry and hungry citizens. This incident raises a critical question: why would an officer, entrusted with safeguarding vital assets such as oil pipelines and government facilities, abandon their duty to join in looting? Is this behavior driven by desperation from hunger, frustration from anger, or a combination of both? The situation underscores a troubling breach of trust and highlights deeper socio-economic issues that may be influencing such actions.

Virtually all the states in Nigeria and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, Nigeria are currently witnessing protests tagged #ENDSARS. In Ota, Ogun State, South West, the protest started on October 19, 2020. We went out this morning to feel the pulse of the people and their reactions to the protest. The clips here explain our findings

Some time ago, before my employer finally paid my two months' overdue salary, I had to travel out of town to withdraw some money from the bank. On the way, I came across a police checkpoint where a formidable roadblock was set up. Because my vehicle license had expired, I dreaded the usual “friendly chat” with the officers, knowing I was short on the oil to “grease their palms.” At the checkpoint, a lean, hungry-looking constable greeted me with, “Oga, how weather?” while stretching out his hand, clearly expecting a bribe. I discreetly squeezed a crumpled red bread label into his palm. Satisfied, the officer gave me a respectful eye salute, and I quickly drove away. Note : This story humorously highlights the unfortunate reality of some African police officers accepting bribes from motorists. It is our sincere hope that bribery and corruption will end in Africa and beyond, paving the way for a just and decent society.

A traditional African herbalist preparing remedies with herbs, gourds, and symbolic artifacts in a vibrant cultural setting. In a desperate search for fast solutions to predominantly financial problems, many individuals turn from one witch doctor to another. Each promises an immediate and lasting remedy, despite the clear absence of any spiritual cause for their troubles. Among the various practitioners, some Voodoo priests offer a glimmer of hope, enticing the desperate with assurances of relief. During these consultations, clients are often required to provide animals such as goats, rams, fowls, or tortoises for sacrifice to the witch doctor’s gods. These offerings are typically presented as blood sacrifices to idols—wooden or metal figures adorned with red, black, or white cloth, depending on the setting where the artifact is kept. More often than not, these visits lead the unsuspecting and gullible into a systematic and ignorant initiation into the occult world of witch doctors. Dr...

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...

Photo: Priest Giving Holy Communion  WHY DOES THE CATHOLIC CHURCH RESTRICT HOLY COMMUNION? Amara Blessing Nwosu once asked: “Why does the Roman Catholic Church stop non-Catholics from partaking in Holy Communion? My father is a Pentecostal pastor, and from childhood till now, I have never heard him stop non-Pentecostals from receiving communion. The only warning he gives is against taking it without first confessing your sins and making peace with God. Is the Catholic Church suggesting that the body of Christ is divided? Did Christ shed His blood for Catholics alone? Are non-Catholics all going to hell?” (Facebook, January 24, 2013). The Catholic Church teaches that Holy Communion is not simply a symbolic act but the actual reception of the Body and Blood of Christ. Because of this, the Church sets specific conditions for who may receive it: - Non-Catholics and even baptized Catholics who have not yet made their First Holy Communion or who are not in a state of grace are not permi...