A controversial conference on witchcraft began today at the University of Nigeria Nsukka (UNN), despite opposition from Christian communities within and outside the university.
The leadership of UNN stopped short of forcing the organisers to cancel the conference because of pressure, Premium Times has learnt.
A Nigerian journalist, Patrick Egwu, who is attending the two-day conference, told the new outlet 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 Egw said..
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.
