National Association of Philosophy Students (Nigeria)

On August 3rd 2005, the Ibadan University Humanist Society (IUHS) and the Nigeria Humanist Society (NHM) organized a symposium themed: “Why I Don’t Need Religion: Religion and the Death of Reason”. The symposium and Book Exhibition was held at the Students Union SRC Chambers of the University of Ibadan in Nigeria.

The programme was intellectually enriching as many people came to witness positions been position both in support and against religious concepts. In a university where religious fundamentalism is the other of the day, the IUHS symposium was an eye opener for people with inclinations for rational inquiry. Representatives of the muslims and the christians were invited to expound on reasons for religion while our own humanist scholars, Eze Ebisike the chair of the Nigeria Humanist Movement (NHM) and the Executive Secretary of NMH, Leo Igwe were on ground to present the humanist view on the theme.

The chairman of the International Board of Advisors for the Ibadan University Humanist Society, Warren Allen Smith, the author of ‘Who is Who in Hell’ sent his goodwill messages which was read at the symposium.

In the words of Warren Smith, he advised thus: “Any of such groups will experience the same problems and successes that the groups in my experiences have had. My recommendation is that yours be a bottom-to-top group rather than a top-to-bottom group…”

The programme was a huge success as aloes to 60 people register their presence at the symposium. Dr. G.A. Akinola, that foremost humanist-historian was around for the symposium and Yemi Ademowo, the Secretary General of the International Humanist and Ethical Youth Organization (IHEYO) was around for the programme too. Adegoke Peter, the president of the society and the president of the Bertrand Russell Society Nigeria declared the symposium closed.