"Would You Not Want To See Him Again?" A Question About An Afterlife

I was asked the above question, about my brother who died nearly fifteen years ago, by a colleague shortly after I came out as an atheist. The question came after he had established that I did not subscribe to the idea of an afterlife, and that I did not believe that I would be seeing any dead friends or relatives when, as christians like him believe, the time of this physical world runs out. My simple response to him was: "my brother is dead and gone and all I have left are memories of him which I will hold close to my heart until I die, and then others will also hold memories of me in theirs." He was unable to understand why I believed so strongly that I was never going to see my brother ever again, and his increasing incredulity during the course of our conversation was a priceless sight to behold.

Nigeria's Supreme Court Upholds Killer Preacher's Death Penalty

The Supreme Court of Nigeria has upheld the death penalty given to Mr Chukwuemeka Kingley Ezeugo aka Rev Dr King for the murder of one of his domestic staff. His appeal was dismissed for lack of merit. Mr Ezeugo was sentenced to death in January 2007 after he doused seven young women with petrol and set them ablaze. One of the women died in hospital, and he was charged with one count of murder, and six counts of attempted murder.

Nigerian Military Rescues 1890 Persons In A Fortnight, Still No Signs Of The Chibok Girls

Nigerian Soldiers

The Nigerian Army has confirmed the rescue of at least 1890 persons, in the last two weeks, since it began a new offensive against the Boko Haram insurgents. Yet, there is no word that the Chibok girls, or at least some of them, are among those rescued.

Nigeria's Army Chief Promises To Rescue Chibok Girls

Lt Gen T Buratai

Last month, president Buhari held a meeting with the parents of the Chibok girls, and reportedly stormed out in anger after telling his grieving audience that he had no clue about the whereabouts of their daughters. He then, earlier this month, said he would keep his campaign promise of bringing the girls back home to their parents. For a president who believes that praying for his country is a sure fire way to solving its many and urgent problems, speaking from both sides of his mouth surely does not come as a surprise.

Nigeria's President Goes To Saudi Arabia To Pray For The Country

President Mohammadu Buhari of Nigeria, in the midst of a myriad of crises bedevilling the country, has seen it fit to jet out to Medina, Saudi Arabia, for the lesser hajj or umrah, where he will pray for the country. He had, less than 10 weeks into his presidency last year, recommended the introduction of two new books into the curriculum of all Federal Government Colleges across the country, an action he said was necessitated by the declining moral and religious values in the country.

Leadership Of Christian Association Of Nigeria Jittery Over Nigeria's Muslim President's Alleged Plans To Foist New Hands At Their Helm

Ayo Oritsejafor

The Christian Association of Nigeria's, CAN, leadership is in panic mode over allegations that Nigeria's president Muhammadu Buhari is perfecting plans to sponsor a candidate loyal to him for their elections coming up in July. The current president of CAN is pastor Ayo Oristejafor, a wily prosperity preacher from the oil city of Warri, who benefitted immensely from former president Jonathan's insanely corrupt government.

Murder Trial Of TB Joshua Stalled Again

TB Joshua

The trial of TB Joshua and engineers of HardRock Construction and Engineering Company has again been stalled by an application to quash charges filed by the lawyers of the defendants. Mr Joshua contracted the engineering firm to build him a guest to provide paid accommodation for the horde of visitors to his Synagogue Church of All Nations in Lagos.

Danish Woman Rescues 'Child Witch' Abandoned To Die In Nigeria

Nearly three weeks ago, the picture above was circulating around social media, but it was just a few days ago that the story was picked up by the British press. The child in the picture is being fed by a Danish woman who lives in Africa, Anja Ringgren Loven, founder of African Children's Aid Education and Development Foundation. She later took Hope, that is the boy's name, to hospital.

Convicted Muslim Paedophile Fighting To Keep British Citizenship

Shamir Ahmed

Shamir Ahmed, 63, nicknamed 'daddy' is currently serving 22 years in gaol for lacing the drinks of girls as young as 13 with drugs, having sex with them, and passing them around to members of his group. He was the leader of a Rochdale sex grooming gang made up of Asian men, and is now fighting the British government's attempt to strip him of his British citizenship. He was sentenced in 2012.

Nigerian Pastor 'Resurrects' Dead Child

Chris Okafor

Pastor Chris Okafor, 45, the founder of Mountain of Liberation and Miracle ministry (also called Liberation City) has further exposed the gullibility and ignorance of the Nigerian christian when it comes to claims of miracles. One week ago, I heard that he had raised a child from the dead, but I did not write about it as I could find no video. I knew of course that it was a lie, but I needed to prove it was, and the video below in which he puts up a show for his congregation two Sundays ago was all the proof I needed.

Nigerian Churches Will Have A Field Day Today

I can imagine how sermons in most Nigerian churches will play out today. Many will preach about love, others will celebrate 'christian love' or Christ's undying love (remember he died because he loved us) as opposed to secular or "worldly" love, while many others will spend a lot of time condemning and really bashing all the sex and expressions of lustful desires that will take place today in the name of love.

Richard Dawkins As The Victim Of Political Correctness

Richard Dawkins

Richard Dawkins is a man I have come to respect since reading his seminal book, 'The God Delusion' nearly 8 years ago. I was therefore very surprised to see this link, sent to me by a friend. The Northeast Conference on Science and Skepticism, NECSS, withdrew Professor Dawkins' invitation to its 2016 annual conference because of his "approving re-tweet" of the video below.

Son Of Former Magician Accuses Pastors Joshua And Oyakhilome Of Using Witchcraft To Perform Miracles

Joshua and Oyakhilome

The general overseer of Fingers of God Church, Alagbado, in Lagos, Nigeria, Bishop Kayode Peller, has accused prophet TB Joshua of the Synagogue Church of All Nations, SCOAN, and pastor Chris Oyakhilome of the Believers Love World Incorporated, of using demonic powers to perform miracles. Mr Peller is the son of Professor Peller, arguably Nigeria's most popular and most successful illusionist and magician. Mr Peller himself took after his father before he became a clergyman.

Nigeria's Football Coach Flees Country Out Of Fear Of Witches

Sunday Oliseh

Nigeria's national football team coach, Sunday Oliseh, himself a former player, has fled the country to his Belgium home after accusing his "enemies" of occult manipulations on his life. His decision to temporarily relocate to Belgium was premised on his thinking that the witches after him would be unable to fly out to meet him there.

Please Let Us Forget The Chibok Girls

President Muhammadu Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari of Nigeria has continued to maintain that he will fulfil the pledge he made to the parents of the Chibok girls about bringing back their daughters alive from their abductors.

Before Pastor Adeboye Claims This One...

Enoch Adeboye

Enoch Adeboye, the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, in Nigeria, in his usual manner released his 'prophecies' for the year 2016, and included in his list was the prediction that a new sexually transmitted disease would surface this year.

President Of Cameroon Approves Use Of Witchcraft To Fight Boko Haram

Cameroon's president Paul Biya, pictured above, who will be 83 next week Saturday and has been president since November 6 1982, has heeded the call by chiefs of Cameroon's East region to allow them use witchcraft in "finishing off" Boko Haram.

The Clerics That Prey

I have posted a handful of articles about miracles and the wiles of christian prosperity preachers and faith healers, and have received varied responses from religious and non-religious people. The raison d'être of any so-called ministry is to make money. Tax-free money. It is nothing but an enterprise designed to defraud each and every single person who comes in contact with that ministry.

Nigerian Faith Healer Grows Shortened Limb

David Ibiyeomie, 53, pictured above, who is from Rivers state in Nigeria, is the presiding pastor of Salvation Ministries. Described as "an anointed and gifted teacher," he is another prosperity preacher cum faith healer from Nigeria's robust stable of such charlatans. While he has not joined his private jet flying brethren, he certainly is enjoying a lifestyle that is the sure to be the envy of at least 80 per cent of Nigerians.

Fugitive Cleric In The UK Sells Olive Oil As Cancer Cure

The "Archbishop of Peckham" Gilbert Deya, 63, who is pictured above, is selling olive oil bought for £1.99 for £5, after 'blessing' them, claiming they cure cancer and AIDS. Mr Deya is wanted in his home country of Kenya for stealing and selling babies to couples from the UK as miracle babies.

Catholic Cardinal Wants Nigeria's President To Incorporate The Support Of Religious Leaders In Anti Corruption War

Nigeria's Cardinal John Onaiyekan, pictured above, the bishop of the Abuja archdiocese of the Catholic church, has been quoted as saying that president Buhari's anti-corruption campaign will succeed only with the support of religious leaders and organizations.

Expecting The Rapture

Chinaemerem Joshua Ibezim is a budding cleric who is present on various social media sites. He also publishes a daily devotional, Spirit and Life Devotional, and today's topic happens to be about the rapture which he titles 'Expecting the Rapture'. This seemingly intelligent young man is among hundreds of millions all over the world that believe that in the very near future, a trumpet will sound in the sky, and all those who are genuinely living a christian life will simply be taken up into the sky, while those who are not, will be left behind to suffer the 'great tribulation' for a thousand years.

Nigeria's Paedophile Senator Facing Corruption Charges

Senator Ahmed Yerima of the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, was, on Thursday, granted bail after pleading not guilty to a 19-count corruption charge relating to his alleged diversion of 1 billion Naira ($5 million) while he was governor of Zamfara state between 1999 and 2007. He was the first northern governor to introduce sharia law which eleven other northern states have emulated. Zamfara state is one of the poorest and most educationally backward of Nigeria's 36 states.

Paedophilia In Nigeria: 3 Year Old Girl Narrates Her Rape By An 'Uncle'

The video below shows a 3 year old girl narrating her abuse in the hands of a man she calls "uncle." She gave her name as Nnenna, and was able to describe in graphic detail, prompted with leading questions, her ordeal in the hands of her abuser.

NHS Psychiatrist 'Prescribes' Nigerian Church To Patient

Dr Julius Awakame, pictured above, a 50 year old Ghanaian psychiatrist in the UK, is in danger of being struck off the General Medical Council's (GMC) register for allegedly telling his patient to seek help from a Nigerian church for her 'possession' by demonic forces.

Where Was TB Joshua?

Prophet TB Joshua, pictured above, who had been absent from the pulpit for at least six months, resurfaced with, literally, a loud bang on the 10th of January to 'predict' the terror attacks of January 14 in Indonesia's capital. Not surprisingly, the Jakarta attacks did not feature in any of the prophecies for the year 2016 by some of Nigeria's clerics which is reminiscent of the Charlie Hebdo attacks, a year ago, which none of these 'prophets' foresaw.

Stealing From God According To Adeboye

Pastor Enoch Adeboye, the general overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, like many multimillionaire 'pastorpreneurs' in Nigeria, publishes the daily devotional, Open Heavens, which is also available online. I woke up this morning to a link from a friend about the devotional for the 2nd of October 2015 in which Adeboye, a former Mathematics professor turned full time pastor, talks about stealing from God.

Child Marriage Still Legal In Pakistan; And Nigeria

Nigeria and Pakistan have a few things in common; they are both among the most corrupt countries in the world with a Corruption Perception Index score of 27 and 29 out of 100 respectively, and they are both members of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, OIC, which claims to be the "collective voice of the muslim world." Nigeria has been a member since 1986, smuggled in by General Ibrahim Babangida, amidst feeble protests from various christian groups, who was the military president then.

Chibok Girls: President Buhari Should End The Suffering Of Their Families

President Muhammadu Buhari, pictured above in dark glasses, yesterday, held a meeting with some parents of the abducted Chibok girls and some of the activists campaigning for their release yesterday at the banquet hall of the presidential villa in Abuja, Nigeria's capital.

The "Bishop Of The Whole World"

Jesus' Holiness, Saint Daniel Dikeji Miyerijesu, the Demon Destroyer aka Osu (Leader), and by the Divine Grace of God, the Bishop of the whole world (this is exactly how he is addressed by his congregation) is the founder/bishop of God's Grace Ministries Inc (GGM) based in Warri, Delta state, Nigeria. He claims he was divinely ordained by Jesus Christ himself to be the "Bishop of the whole world" in 2008. He is also addressed as "Jesus Doctor" and "The Apple of God's Eye."

More Nigerian Clerics Coming Out With Their 'Predictions' For 2016

It seems the clergy in Nigeria are not done with predicting that which has been divinely revealed to them for the year 2016.  One of them, Emmanuel Adefowora, a senior pastor at the Trinity Living Church in Abuja, Nigeria's capital city, actually said that the year 2016 would be a tough one but that god would have mercy on his elected ones.

Miracles Are A Myth That We Need To Expose And Criminalize

I read 'The Happiest People On Earth', the book about Demos Shakarian, the founder of the Full Gospel Business Men's Fellowship International (FGBMFI) when I was about 10 or 11 and two things (miracles) from the book struck me: the first was the "miraculous" healing of Mr Shakarian's family's cattle of tuberculosis, and the second was when he claimed to have healed a man so disfigured by his paralysis, he was shaped like the number 7.

Man Thought To Be Under The Influence Of The Holy Ghost Dies In Church

A 29 year old man from Edjeketa community in Delta state, Nigeria, slumped and was later confirmed dead after he was left on the floor for about 20 minutes. One of those present at the scene said that he slumped while leading a choir ministration, and, here is the bit that interested me, that they thought he had fallen "under the anointing" or the "influence of the holy ghost."

Nigerian Islamic Cleric Sentenced To Death For Blasphemy In Accordance With Sharia Law

Abdulaziz Inyass, a Nigerian Tijaniyyah cleric, has been sentenced to die by hanging in Nigeria's northern city of Kano. The sentence was handed down by a sharia court after a secret trial for allegedly making uncomplimentary and "blasphemous" remarks about the "Holy Prophet of Islam."

Chibok Girls And The Shame Of A Nation

On the night of April 14 2014, Boko Haram terrorists besieged Government Girls Secondary School in Chibok, a mainly christian village in the predominantly muslim Borno state in north-east Nigeria, and carted away 276 girls, aged between 16 and 18, who were preparing to write their senior school certificate examinations.

Nigerians Are Slaves To Dictators On The Pulpit

As a child, I remember the antics of the likes of the late Benson Idahosa (pictured above), Patrick Ngozi Anwuzia (Zoe Ministries), and later Ayo Oritsejafor (current president of the Christian Association of Nigeria) along with his regular guest prosperity preacher, Reinhard Bonnke, who used to grace our screens with their miracle crusades which featured testimonies of the blind regaining their sight, the deaf being able to hear, and those in wheelchairs getting up and walking, or even running. 

Pastor Adeboye Has Been Spewing Pig Fart For A Very Long Time

Enoch Adeboye was among the first of Nigeria's preachers to release his prophecies for the year 2016. A reader sent me his predictions for 2007 which I have reproduced completely below.

Fiery Catholic Priest Predicts Assassination Plot Against Nigeria's President

Reverend Father Mbaka, the founder and spiritual director (Nigerian clergy love titles) of the Adoration Ministries Enugu Nigeria (AMEN) who recently visited president Muhammadu Buhari at the presidential villa has said that there will be a plot to kill the president.

Prophecies For 2016 By Nigerian Preachers Already Available

Enoch Adeboye (above) and TB Joshua (below) could not wait for the new year to properly dawn before revealing their 'prophecies' for 2016. Adeboye usually makes predictions at the beginning of every year and publishes them on his website.

Nigerians, Their Leaders, And The Clergy Are All To Blame For Nigeria's Present Woes

It has always been easy to blame Nigeria's dubious clergy and light fingered politicians for the role they play in ensuring Nigerians remain religious so that they cannot be called into account for the way they mismanage and plunder the country. I have included the clergy, especially those prosperity preachers who hobnob with the political class and, to a large extent, determine the outcome of major elections, because both parties have come to  realize that they have a common goal, and have thus turned an unwitting alliance into a focused and effective one aimed at divvying up Nigeria's oil wealth.

Nigerian Pastor Boasts He Is Taking Tithes And Offerings From His Congregation To Keep Them Out Of Poverty

Enoch Adejare Adeboye, the general overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, RCCG, during the 4-day annual convention of his church which was held about 3 weeks ago, boasted to a crowd of at least a million Nigerians in attendance, and millions more watching worldwide via live stream, that he was still in the business of collecting monies from them to keep them out of poverty.

Prayers Definitely Not Working For Nigeria As Boko Haram Ratchets Up Suicide Bombing Attacks

While Nigerians have been inundated with calls to pray for the challenges facing their country, Boko Haram insurgents are slowly but surely picking up their recently faltering momentum. It started with attacks on Kimba, a pastoral village in Borno state on boxing day, then a fierce gun battle with members of the militia group, Civilian Joint Task Force (CJTF) yesterday in Maiduguri, the capital.

Group Urges Nigerians To Learn From The Birth Of Jesus

The Democrat, a nondescript socio-political group, has called on Nigeria's leaders to emulate the virtues of humility, selflessness, love, compassion, and peace which the birth of Jesus teaches. This absurd admonition follows more than two weeks of calls for prayers for Nigeria by prosperity preachers and political figures.

I Will Be Praying For You

I would not be a millionaire if I got a penny each time someone said the title of this piece to me, but I would have a lot of pennies that is for sure. Last night, I asked a relative who is continually praying for the salvation of my soul what exactly she asks her god to do for me, and the answer I received was the usual vapid christian mumbo jumbo of asking god to forgive me of my sins, save my soul, show me the light, bla bla bla.

Nigeria's Opposition Party Joins In Calls For Prayers

Nigeria's clerics and politicians have, over the last two weeks, been calling for prayers for the nation, and they have been joined by "Africa's largest political party," the People's Democratic Party, PDP, whose national publicity secretary, Olisa Metuh, has called on Nigerians to offer special prayers for Nigeria's unity.

Even More Calls For Prayers And Trust In God As Pastor "Prepares The Saints For Christ"

The season for prayers and trusting God to solve Nigeria's problems is still going strong with another pastor jumping on the 'pray for Nigeria' bandwagon. Pastor William F Kumuyi who oversees the affairs of his Deeper Christian Life Ministry, one of Nigeria's mega christian ministries, as its 'general superintendent' was formally announcing the start of their annual December retreat tagged 'Readiness for Christ's Return'. A statement by him read in part:

Rumination For Nigerians As Ransom Demand Is Made By Abductors Of Two Priests In Nigeria

Three days ago, I wrote about a catholic priest, Fr Mbaka, who visited Nigeria's muslim president Mohammadu Buhari to pray for him and the country. He expressed optimism at the power of prayers in fixing Nigeria's "seasonal" problems. He had not quite settled into his residence after his presidential gallivanting when news broke out about a series of high profile kidnappings.

Former President Of Nigeria Joins In Urging Nigerians To Pray For The Country

Immediate past president of Nigeria, Goodluck Jonathan, in a church service to mark the dedication of his first grandchild, called on Nigerians to pray "for the good of the country." The grandchild in question would have been born to his daughter whose wedding caused the shutdown of Abuja, Nigeria's capital city, for the whole day, and souvenirs given to several guests included gold iphones.

Renowned Catholic Priest Holds Closed Door Meeting With Nigeria's President

Reverend Father Ejike Mbaka, a well known catholic priest and the spiritual director of the Adoration Ministries Enugu Nigeria (with the bacronym A.M.E.N.) visited Aso Rock Villa, Nigeria's seat of power, and held a closed door meeting with president Buhari, and vice president, Prof Yemi Osinbajo.

Let Us Not Be Deceived By The Frivolous Petitions Prohibition Bill

I decided adopted the 'siddon look' approach ‎to the proposal of a gag bill, or the Frivolous Petitions Prohibition Bill, as the Nigerian Senate would like it to be called but my itchy fingers could no longer resist the urge to put pen to paper ("fingers to keyboard" would be more appropriate).

Atheists Are Not Evil Because We Are 'Godless'

‎One of the questions that christians and muslims, especially, always ask atheists is the origin of their morality. Most modern day religions have a book or some scripture they claim was divinely inspired and therefore serves as a basis for their morality.

The Islamic Movement Of Nigeria, IMN, Is A Terrorist Organization Funded By Iran

Earlier today, I wrote about the clash between the Nigerian soldiers who accompanied the chief of army staff on his official duties in Zaria, Kaduna state, and a crowd of shia muslims from the Islamic Movement of Nigeria, IMN, led by Ibrahim El Zakzaky. Mr Zakzaky sustained bullet wounds during the clash, and is currently detained by the Nigerian army "in a very secure facility for his protection." The picture above has been circulating on social media and shows an injured Mr Zakzaky being take into the custody of the army.