In a sharp critique of a pervasive cultural mindset, Nigerian Catholic priest Fr. Kelvin Ugwu has lambasted the ingrained tendency among Nigerians to attribute misfortunes and deaths to spiritual causes rather than addressing tangible governance and societal failures. The priest voiced his concerns in a detailed Facebook post on Monday, February 2, 2026, responding to a case where a lady blamed the death of Ifunanya Nwangene on a 'serpentine spirit' and snake kingdom.
Fr. Ugwu's Scathing Remarks on Spiritual Blame
Fr. Ugwu highlighted several common scenarios where Nigerians resort to supernatural explanations for tragedies. He pointed out that when someone drowns, it is often labeled as the work of a marine spirit, and fatalities in road accidents are frequently ascribed to occult spirits seeking sacrifices. His post aimed to challenge this narrative by emphasizing the real-world issues that contribute to such incidents.
The Case of Snake Bites and Governance Lapses
One of the most striking examples Fr. Ugwu provided involved snake bites. He argued that instead of blaming serpentine spirits, the focus should be on the government's inability to provide basic necessities like anti-venom. This failure, he noted, leads to preventable deaths that are wrongly spiritualized, diverting attention from urgent healthcare and infrastructural needs.
Malaria: A Tangible Killer Overlooked
Fr. Ugwu drew a powerful comparison by mentioning malaria, which is caused by mosquitoes and remains the leading cause of death in Nigeria, with nearly a million fatalities annually. He questioned what spiritual cause should be attributed to deaths by mosquitoes, sarcastically suggesting that if snakes can have a kingdom, then there must be a mosquito kingdom. This analogy underscored the absurdity of spiritualizing deaths while ignoring preventable diseases.
Critique of Nollywood's Influence
The priest also took a swipe at Nollywood, Nigeria's film industry, for its role in popularizing concepts like marine and snake kingdoms through movies. He expressed a wish that Nollywood had invented a mosquito kingdom with similar enthusiasm, as this might have instilled greater fear of mosquitoes among the populace. Such fear, he believed, could have led to better prevention measures and reduced malaria deaths, highlighting how media narratives can shape public perception and action.
Call for a Shift in Perspective
Through his post, Fr. Ugwu urged Nigerians to move beyond spiritual explanations and confront the systemic issues that cause suffering. He emphasized that attributing misfortunes to spirits often serves as a distraction from holding authorities accountable for their failures in healthcare, safety, and governance. His message resonates as a call to prioritize practical solutions over supernatural blame.
This critique comes at a time when discussions on public health and governance are increasingly relevant in Nigeria, making Fr. Ugwu's words a poignant reminder of the need for societal change. By addressing both cultural tendencies and governmental shortcomings, his post sparks important conversations about responsibility and progress in the face of adversity.
