Connect with us

Latest News

Schools And Mass Anxiety Hysteria In Central Nigeria

Published

on

Africans, Apologize To Family Members For Witchcraft Accusations, Witch Persecution. - AfAW

By Leo Igwe

The Advocacy for Alleged Witches (AFAW) is deeply concerned about the closure of a school over supposed ‘spiritual attacks’ in Benue in Central Nigeria. Such a measure is a dark precedent that is incompatible with the values of education, research, critical reasoning, and inquiry, which schools represent- or should embody. The report says that ten students experienced some ‘spiritual attack’ at a secondary school in Markurdi Benue, and school authorities had to shut down the school. From the report, the school did not invite a medical officer or a psychologist to examine the students and assess their health situation. The school did not take any medical or scientific measures to address this development.

A school teacher called it, “Iyor genen” a Tiv expression for hysteria. The teacher told a journalist that, “the pupils experienced a seizure and complained of chest pain, “from there, they will fall, and some others would be running around”. Unfortunately, the school authorities gave a spiritual interpretation to what is a medical condition- mass anxiety hysteria. These are episodes of acute anxiety that predominately feature among schoolchildren. Teachers and educational authorities should know this. Shouldn’t they? To regard this incident as a ‘spiritual attack’ implies it is beyond science and common sense. It suggests that a scientific explanation is insufficient or unsatisfactory.

READ ALSO: Ekiti Directs Workers On Grade Level 02-12 To Resume March 8

As an AFAW contact person in Benue State rightly noted ” Attributing a medical condition to spiritual attack amounts to discouraging inquiry. A good teacher ought to promote inquiry. A teacher or an educational institution that claims that a medical problem has a spiritual origin blunts the minds of young students. And this is tragic”. According to this advocate: “This is why we need to adopt the teaching of critical thinking for both students and teachers.”

The incident at the junior secondary school in Markudi has demonstrated the worrisome state of science education and learning in the country. There is no evidence that this case of mass hysteria has some links to the spirits, demons or witches as many suppose. Instead, what happened at the junior secondary school was an opportunity to educate the students, and provide a scientific explanation and evidence-based management of mass anxiety hysteria. The school missed an opportunity to enlighten and promote science. AFAW urges all schools to abandon superstitions and encourage scientific and critical thinking among students.

Read more authentic news on our social media platforms

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Latest News

Security Operatives Crack Down On Sagamu Cultists, House of Assembly Member, Six Others In DSS Net

Published

on

Acting IGP Kayode Egbetokun

Security operatives in Ogun State on Wednesday tracked six suspected cultists, allegedly involved in the violence that erupted in Sagamu at the weekend to the official residence of a member of the state House of Assembly.

The member, representing Sagamu State Constituency (1), Hon. Damilare Bello Mohammed, was alleged to have provided shelter to the fleeing cultists.

A team of security operatives, in a sting operation after a tip-off, arrested the suspects on the premises of the lawmaker.

Those arrested, according to sources, include Damilare Bello Mohammed aka DRE, Debbo Animashaun, Bamidele Saheed, Ismaila Onitire, Adewale Otesanya and Tobi Owoade.

They are currently undergoing interrogation at the Department of State Service (DSS).

Sources revealed that many dangerous weapons, including guns, were recovered from the suspects.

It would be recalled that Hon. Bello was arrested by the DSS for masterminding the violent protest that took place in February this year in Sagamu over the naira redesign policy by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

During the protest, irate youths vandalised about 10 banks and other public infrastructures.

Continue Reading

Latest News

Ogun Considers Special Court To Try Cultists

Published

on

Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun

A Special Court is to be established by the Ogun State Government to try cult-related cases.

Also to be set up is a Joint Anti-Cultism Security Task Force comprising all major security outfits, with the mandate to rid the state of the menace of cultism.

The state is also proposing an amnesty programme for would-be cultists who may wish to surrender their weapons.

These decisions were arrived at after a joint security meeting, held at the Governor’s Office, Oke-Mosan, Abeokuta, Ogun State on Wednesday.

It would be recalled that Governor Dapo Abiodun on Tuesday hinted that his administration would enact a law that would pronounce the death penalty on anyone caught engaging in cult activities in the state.

The governor spoke during a visit to the palace of the Akarigbo of Remoland, Oba Babatunde Ajayi, following days of cult-related clashes in Sagamu, which left many dead and others injured.

The meeting, according to Governor Abiodun, focused on providing adequate measures to eradicate cultism in the Gateway State.

Prince Abiodun said: “During the Joint Security meeting that took place today (Wednesday), we engaged in fruitful discussions regarding the implementation of measures aimed at combating cultism in Ogun State.

“Our primary focus was on establishing a special court, forming a joint operational force comprising various security agencies, and implementing a death penalty for cultism offences.

“In addition to these measures, we also deliberated on the possibility of introducing a period of amnesty. This would allow individuals who wish to surrender their weapons and renounce their affiliation with any cult-related groups and activities the opportunity to do so without fear of prosecution.

“As an administration deeply committed to fostering a peaceful and violence-free society, we are dedicated to providing the Special Court and Joint Anti-Cultism Security Task Force with the necessary logistics and tools to support their operations effectively.

“The overall objective of our conversation is to address the issue of cultism through a multifaceted approach. This will include legal and enforcement measures, rehabilitation efforts, and community engagement through our respected traditional leaders.

“In conclusion, we are determined to tackle the menace of cultism in our state head-on. By employing a combination of legal frameworks, law enforcement strategies, rehabilitation initiatives, and community involvement, we believe we can bring about lasting change.”

Continue Reading

Latest News

Why We Sacked NNPP’s Abba Kabir As Kano Governor – Tribunal

Published

on

Kano State GovernorAbba Kabir

The Kano Governorship Election Petition Tribunal on Wednesday sacked Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf of the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP).

The tribunal declared the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Nasiru Gawuna, as the winner of the March 18 election.

Yusuf was declared the winner of the election by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) after the poll in March.

But on Wednesday, the three-man panel, after hearing the petitions, ordered the withdrawal of the certificate of return which INEC presented to Yusuf and directed a certificate of return to be issued to Gawuna.

The court deducted 165,663 votes from Yusuf’s total as invalid votes, stating that the affected ballot papers were not stamped or signed and therefore declared invalid.

The ruling comes about six months after the APC candidate conceded defeat to Yusuf in the wake of INEC’s presentation of the certificate of return to the NNPP candidate.

In a two-minute audio statement on March 29, Gawuna stated that “as a good Muslim”, he was compelled to accept the outcome of the election, whether in his favour or not.

He added that although his campaign team had requested a review of the election results by INEC, upon review, the commission had found Yusuf to be the winner of the election.

Continue Reading

Top Stories