Cbn Onwuasoanya Ezendigbo Champions Education, Scientific Thinking, Evidence-based Reasoning
Chief CBN Onwuasoanya Ezendigbo, a presidential aspirant in the last general elections, has condemned the continued reliance on superstition and unverified beliefs in addressing societal challenges, describing the practice as a primitive ideology that can have deadly consequences.
Speaking in a conversation with Oriontimes, Ezendigbo maintained that rather than killing people for ritual purposes or attributing unexplained events to supernatural forces, society should embrace education, science, technology and critical thinking.
He maintained that the transition from superstition to scientific reasoning represents an important step in human development, as education enables individuals to question assumptions and seek evidence-based explanations for events.
According to him, societies must move beyond an era where illnesses, misfortunes and natural phenomena were predominantly attributed to spiritual forces and embrace structured education capable of identifying the actual causes of such occurrences.
EDUCATION VERSUS SUPERSTITION
Ezendigbo contrasted what he described as the “old era” with the “new era,” arguing that increased scientific literacy gives people better tools to understand the world around them.
He noted that while historical societies often relied on spiritual or supernatural explanations because of limited scientific knowledge, modern education provides methods for investigating phenomena through observation, evidence and critical inquiry.
He therefore advocated greater investment in education and scientific literacy as a means of reducing harmful superstition and promoting rational decision-making.
HEARSAY VERSUS LEGAL AND SCIENTIFIC EVIDENCE
The presidential aspirant also criticised the tendency to rely on gossip, rumours and unchecked allegations when forming opinions or passing judgement.
He stressed that modern legal and scientific systems place emphasis on verifiable evidence, arguing that claims should be subjected to proper scrutiny before they are accepted as facts.
For Ezendigbo, society must cultivate a culture of fact-checking and evidence-based reasoning in which documented and verifiable information takes precedence over hearsay.
HEALTH LITERACY AND THE DANGER OF IGNORANCE
Speaking on health, Ezendigbo used malaria and typhoid as examples of how scientific knowledge can help communities understand and prevent disease.
He argued that ignorance about the causes and transmission of diseases can expose people to avoidable risks.
According to him, understanding the role of mosquitoes in malaria transmission and the importance of safe water, sanitation and food hygiene in preventing typhoid can empower communities to adopt effective preventive measures.
TECHNOLOGY, GLOBALISATION AND LOCAL AGENCY
Ezendigbo further called for a change in the perception that communities must depend entirely on external actors for technological advancement.
He noted that the digital age has significantly expanded access to knowledge, allowing people across the world to learn about engineering, coding, agriculture, science and other fields through the internet and other digital platforms.
He urged communities to become active participants in technological development by acquiring knowledge and creating local solutions to local problems.
FROM SUPERSTITION TO SCIENTIFIC THINKING
The thrust of Ezendigbo’s argument is a call for society to move from superstition to knowledge, hearsay to evidence, and passive dependence to technological agency.
He maintained that education should go beyond the acquisition of certificates and produce citizens capable of questioning assumptions, examining evidence and developing practical solutions to societal challenges.
Ezendigbo-Square, who is also identified with the traditional titles NDI KWE NDIEKWEGHI, EZIOKWU AGBAUKA, MMIRI NSI, NWANKITA HURU OGU JU NRI, MMIRI NARI UGWU and SHAKA DE ZULU, said a knowledge-driven society must place education, science, innovation and critical thinking at the centre of its development.
For him, the challenge before society is not merely to acquire knowledge, but to deploy it to save lives, solve problems and build a future driven by evidence rather than fear and superstition.
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