A controversial conference on witchcraft began on Tuesday at the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), Enugu, South-East Nigeria, despite opposition from Christian communities within and outside the university.

Enugu state is predominantly Christian. Witchcraft, including anything associated with it, is regarded as satanic by the majority of the people in the state.

The leadership of UNN stopped short of forcing the organisers to cancel the conference because of pressure, PREMIUM TIMES learnt.

A Nigerian journalist, Patrick Egwu, who is attending the two-day conference, told PREMIUM TIMES that the venue has been shifted to a bigger hall – Princess Alexandra auditorium – because of the large turnout of participants.

Participants stood up and said ‘amen’ to an opening prayer which was said by a priest, Mr Egwu told PREMIUM TIMES.

Christ Church choir of the university sang the opening hymn at the conference. “It was more like a normal church event, people calling Jesus and praying that the aim of the event should be achieved,” Mr Egwu said.

The journalist said the word ‘witchcraft’ was removed from the conference banner in order to lessen the controversy around it, but that every discussion at the conference centered on witchcraft.

More than 500 people were already seated midway into the conference, he said.
“There’s no protest going on here, at all. Every where is calm, people are just enjoying the lectures,” he said.

“One of the keynote speakers just finished presenting his lecture and (he) received a standing ovation. It was really interesting, people were clapping hands and enjoying the presentation,” Mr Egwu said.

A group, Witchcraft Human Rights Information Network, has a stand outside. There are other stands selling witchcraft-related books and items.

“People are outside, trying to pick copies of books,” Mr Egwu said.
“The noise, the controversy, and the threats actually made the conference to be more popular. It made people to be interested in it. People are still trooping in, even the hall is almost filled up.”

Mr Egwu said the aim of the conference, according to the organisers, is to demystify witchcraft.

“It’s something that has been there for centuries, every poor widow or every small child that is malnourished, they will tag him a witch,” he said.

PREMIUM TIMES asked Mr Egwu what attracted him to the conference.
“When I saw the banner, I said wow, this is really innovative, this is something I should attend to know what it’s all about. Then when the debate started coming up, I said no matter what, even if I am out of the country, I am going to come back to be part of this event,” said Mr Egwu, a member of the Catholic Church.

“I grew up hearing the world witchcraft, I really want to learn a lot about it, what is happening, does it exist, what’s the connection between witchcraft and Christianity.

“Some people who called themselves Christians wake up at night, burning candles and praying for their enemies to die by Holy Ghost fire. Is it not an act of witchcraft?

“When white people do magic, we hail them. When they do their Halloween, which to me is more like devilish, we hail it, but we condemn our own local masquerades.”


https://www.premiumtimesng.com/news/headlines/365300-witchcraft-conference-kicks-off-in-nigeria-despite-opposition-from-christians.html?fbclid=IwAR17enmZVNWwvbBWyOIjP7m1o_oH35RETcmCkeTLm1MlncJL2EQaPfsbOS0

wow I will like to be there

witchcraft Akbar

The church can stop witches from meeting even in secret not just in public If they really wanted to, but unfortunately they're not yet ready to do so.

jesusjnr:
The church can stop witches from meeting even in secret not just in public If they really wanted to, but unfortunately they're not yet ready to do so.

Your mess no dey smell. Why you come dey mess?

HappyPagan:

Your mess no dey smell. Why you come dey mess?

One man's mess is another man's arrangement.




By the way, LordReed how far countdown to #deactivateyourmoniker?

December don already reach oh.

I will be in Nsukka by December, I will like to attend

jesusjnr:
One man's mess is another man's arrangement.




By the way, LordReed how far countdown to #deactivateyourmoniker?

December don already reach oh.

Yep, we shall begin a countdown on the 1st of December.

LordReed:


Yep, we shall begin a countdown on the 1st of December.

Ok.

Good to know that you're ready. Just checking to be sure. Thanks.

As much as I, personally, would be opposed to the convention, in a democratic society (which I guess Nigeria kinda sorta is), people should have religious liberty...and I use the term "religious" loosely when describing witchcraft.
Maybe they should have done it in a city like Lagos, which has it all.
I'm confused though.
Is there a difference between indigenous religions and witchcraft?
What was the major purpose of the convention?
Was witchcraft being incorporated into Christianity?
Is this an example of how "pagan" Rome was merged (by Constantine)into "papal" Rome?

Fake story!

Where pictures for the link?

Are you telling us that UNN management will allocate venue on campus for unsensible unproductive activity like witchcraft meeting, do you realize that universities are places for intelligent people?

OK, if you claim the witches are spiritual therefore will not take permission from UNN for using their land what are your evidence that these rubbish is real?

Where pictures for the link?