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Treat Witch Persecution In Africa With Urgency – AfAW

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Witch Burning, Impunity And Abuses Linked to Witchcraft Beliefs In Benue State

The Advocacy for Alleged Witches(AfAW) has welcomed the Pontifical Mission Societies’ declaration of August 10 as the World Day Against Witch hunts.

According to AfAW, although the Catholic church is one of the drivers of this violent campaign, concerned individuals and organisations should take advantage of this day to spotlight this dark and destructive phenomenon.

“It is pertinent to take this opportunity to call out African churches for being a part of the problem, African governments for failing in their responsibility to protect their citizens, and the international community for its hypocrisy and double standards”, a statement by an official of AfAW Dr Leo Igwe said.

Treat Witch Persecution In Africa With Urgency  - AfAW

Meant to draw attention to attacks, abuses and violations linked to witchcraft and sorcery accusations, this year’s world day against witch hunts is unique because the world is witnessing unprecedented developments.

In western societies, governments have rendered apologies. States have extended pardons to persons convicted of witchcraft centuries ago. The church of Scotland has registered a public regret for their role in this miscarriage of justice. After 329 years, Massachusetts lawmakers have formally exonerated Elizabeth Johnson Jr, the last ‘witch’ of Salem.

“These are commendable and positive developments and a symbol of hope that witch hunting could become history in different parts of the globe”, AfAW said.

The group added: “Unfortunately, in Africa, Asia and Oceania, witch persecution continues to rage and ravage families and communities. Witchcraft accusation is form of death sentence in these places. Alleged witches are attacked, banished, beheaded or killed. Efforts to seek redress in courts have yielded limited results because, as in the case of early modern Europe, victims are predominantly women and elderly persons. Vulnerable members of the population are usually targets of these horrific abuses. Victims are often persons in weak sociocultural positions who lack the resources to defend themselves.

READ ALSO: Witch Hunting: Torturers Should Not Get Away With Their Crimes – AfAW

‘To explain witchcraft accusations in the contemporary world, western anthropologists described witchcraft in the west as a wild and dark phenomenon. Hence, witch hunting ended in western societies.

“But in Africa, they argued that witchcraft was tamed and domesticated; witchcraft fulfilled a beneficial and stabilizing function. Hence, the manifestations of witchcraft accusations have persisted. Misexplanation of African witchcraft is dominant in popular and academic literature. The exoticization of African witchcraft has hampered efforts to address witch persecutions in the region with the sense of urgency that this cultural scourge deserves. African governments have unwittingly defended witchcraft accusations as part of their culture and tradition. The misrepresentation of African witchcraft has provided a pretext for western governments to ignore and minimize witch persecutions in the region.

“There has been a lacklustre approach to ending witch hunting in Africa. And this situation must change. AfAW calls for a more proactive approach to combating witchcraft accusations and witchcraft related abuses. Africans must lead these efforts. Africans must not wait for western governments and non-governmental NGOs before they could get involved and tackle these abuses. AfAW urges all state and non- state actors to join efforts to end the menace of witch hunting in Africa and around the globe.”

 

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BREAKING: Abacha’s Ex-chief Of Staff Oladipo Diya Dies

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Diya

Retired Lt.General Donaldson Oladipo Oyeyinka Diya, the former Chief of Staff in General Sani Abacha’s military government, is dead.

His death was confirmed by Prince Oyesinmilola Diya. He said the former military administrator of Ogun State passed on to glory in the early hours of 26th March 2023.

Born on the 3rd of April, 1944, Diya was military Governor of Ogun State after the Buhari-Idiagbon coup of December 31st, 1983.

Diya joined the Nigerian Defence Academy, Kaduna and fought during the Nigerian Civil War.

He later attended the US Army School of Infantry, the Command and Staff College, Jaji (1980–1981) and the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies, Kuru.

While serving in the military, Diya studied law at Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, where he obtained an LLB degree, and then at the Nigerian Law School, where he was called to bar as Solicitor and Advocate of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.

He held other top military posts like GOC, 82 Division and finally the Chief of General Staff (military Vice President) to Gen Sani Abacha

The statement read: “On behalf of the entire Diya family home and abroad; we announce the passing on to Glory of our dear Husband,Father, Grandfather,brother, Lt- General Donaldson Oladipo Oyeyinka Diya (Rtd) GCON, LLB, BL, PSC, FSS, mni.

“Our dear Daddy passed onto glory in the early hours of 26th March 2023. Please keep us in your prayers as we mourn his demise in this period. Further announcements will be made public in due course.

“Barrister Prince Oyesinmilola Diya, on behalf of the family.”

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Breaking: Appeal Court Retains Adeleke As Osun Governor

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BREAKING: Adeleke Freezes Osun Accounts , Reverses Appointments After Swearing In As Governor
Governor Adeleke

The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has vacated the tribunal judgement that nullified the election of Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State.

The appellate court, in a unanimous decision by a three-member panel of Justices, on Friday held that the appeal Adeleke lodged to challenge his sack by the Osun State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal, was meritorious.

Aside from setting aside the judgement of the tribunal, the court, in its lead judgement that was delivered by Justice Mohammed Lawal, awarded N500, 000 cost against the All Progressive Congress, APC, and its candidate, Gboyega Oyetola

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BREAKING: PDP Suspends Anyim, Fayose

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Anyim and Fayose

Former governor of Ekiti State, Ayodele Fayose; former president of the Senate, Pius Anyim; Prof Dennis Ityavyar and Aslam Aliyu were on Thursday suspended from the Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP).

The PDP made the suspension on Thursday after an extensive review of the affairs of the party, pursuant to the provisions of the PDP Constitution (as amended in 2017).

The PDP also referred the Governor of Benue State, Samuel Ortom, to the National Disciplinary Committee over his reported involvement in anti-party activities.

This was disclosed in a statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary, Debo Ologunagba.

“The PDP urges all leaders, critical stakeholders and teeming members of our party across the country to remain united and focused at this critical time,” the statement added.

 

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