1 day Ago By John Charles
The Benue State Chairperson of the Nigerian Medical Association, Dr Amina Onyewuchi, has advised Nigerians to refrain from weaving every sickness to witchcraft but seek medical care whenever they suffer ill health. Dr. Onyewuchi, who is also a surgeon consultant at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi, decried the alarming rate at which Nigerians adduce illnesses to witchcraft.
The medic cited several instances when patients accused an imaginary devil as the cause of their illness, saying these are beliefs that are not actually true. She gave the advice at an advocacy lecture organised by a non governmental organisation known as the ‘Advocacy for Alleged Witches” in conjunction with the Faculty of Social Sciences of the Benue State University, which held at the Faculty Lecture Theater Hall. Arewa PUNCH reports that the advocacy lecture was on superstition surrounding witchcraft in the different societies.
Onyewuchi said that rather than seek help in any spiritual homes, people should always seek medical care from the hospitals whenever they fall sick. She stressed, “Most illnesses you glorify as witchcraft are not. Go to the hospitals anytime you have ill health issues.
Even mad people are treated in the hospital. Don’t neglect the role of the hospital when you are sick.” While commending the group for the knowledge being impacted on the students, the surgeon consultant appealed to the group to extend the advocacy to the rural communities.
Related News Diabetes not caused by witchcraft, say endocrinologists Ododo's wife urges pregnant women to seek medical care Ogun lawmaker offers free medical care to residents In his contribution, the Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences, Benue State University, Professor Benjamin Ahule accused some religious leaders of promoting superstition to manipulate their members In a chat with Arewa PUNCH, the Director of Advocacy for Alleged Witches, Dr Leo Igwe said that the group had intervened in over 150 cases of people accused of witchcraft across the country. He decried the inhuman treatment that is often meted out to people accused of witchcraft in the society; a practice which he said has resulted in the death of several of the accused persons, adding that few of the cases were being prosecuted in court. Igwe pointed out, “We have intervened in over 150 cases of people accused of witchcraft across the country.
Seven of the cases are from Benue State. “We have three cases of people accused of witchcraft in Adamawa, that we are prosecuting in court; one in Anambra; one in Enugu and two in Benue; but one of the cases was withdrawn for settlement.” While insisting that witchcraft is a religion that believes in superstition, the advocacy group boss declared that the advocacy is determined to help educate, enlighten, and raise awareness on the issues of witchcraft and which hunts.
“We hope to challenge believers, persuade, and prickle their consciences. we hope to get them to rethink their witchcraft beliefs, assumptions, and suppositions. “We hope to use this event to empower victims and their families and get them to speak out and get psychosocial and material help and support.
“If anyone has been a victim or you know someone who has been a victim, please come forward. The Advocacy for Alleged Witches exists to support and empower you,” Dr. Igwe urged the public.
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