UNIVERSITIES WHERE STRANGE THINGS HAPPEN
After the Federal Government in Nigeria opened the doors for private individuals and organizations to establish and run private higher institutions of learning,most parents, guardians, students and indeed most Nigerians, were of the opinion that the problems associated with the conventional public universities and other higher institutions of learning would be addressed by the private ones.
Not quite long that the laws to be met by anyone willing to establish such schools were laid down, had individuals and organizations started showing interest.
Most of those who founded private Universities,Polytechnics, Colleges of Education and Monotechnics, in their mission statements, stated that all prospective students, irrespective of their religion, beleif, creed, colour, tribe or ethnicity would be welcomed.They made Nigerians, most of whom had been battling for years to gain admission to pursue a University education, to beleive that their Universities are out to assist in closing the gap between attainable potential student population and limited space in Nigeria's educational system. Nigerians-- both parents and their children were happy that, with the private bodies coming on board of Nigeria's educational system, their hopes of high qualitative education would be met. Most people flocked to these private Universities, most of them owned by religious organizations.

The devout seem to think nothing of discriminating against those of us not sharing their beliefs. Why exactly, does freedom of religion not always include freedom from religion? In an age of political correctness, it is obvious that it is still socially acceptable to blindly hate one group; non-believers. If only they could see their behavior through our eyes… We are looking to compile some actual experiences of discrimination committed by those who claim to be enlightened. If you have a story of unprovoked hostility or condescension by someone of any faith due to your differing (or lack of) beliefs, please share it with us.

A TRIBUTE TO A FOREMOST AFRICAN ATHEIST/FREEDOM FIGHTER

By

Peter Adegoke

Dr. Beko Ransome-Kuti, Nigerian, Humanist and Free thought Ambassador

Dr. Bekololari Ransome Kuti a doctor, democracy activist and a foremost Nigerian atheist-humanist died on February 10, 2006 at the age of 65 of long cancer at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital in Lagos Nigeria.

He was the last of the famous Ransome-Kuti family of Abeokuta, south western Nigeria; his life was marked by distinctive service to humanity and he showed great exemplary promethean spirit for us new generation of Africans to follow. His simple but precocious lifestyle served as a standard for the budding African minds as different from the general superstitions front portrayed by the gullible majority in Africa largely influenced by the scientifically illiterate and near irrational preachers those innocent minds are exposed to on a day to day basis.

While most freethinkers are tolerant of other's viewpoints and belief systems, the prospect of being intimately/romantically involved with a theist is often repellent. We often feel that there are such fundamental differences between a person with an atheistic perspective and one with god-beliefs that it would be unfulfilling and fraught with problems.

This hurdle has probably faced many of you, and, as always, there are various ultimate outcomes. One man I knew became involved with a woman who assured him that his lack of faith would not be a problem for her-- only to try to convert him later. Another couple I know have no difficulties navigating his lack of belief and her Jewish leanings.