By Prof. Protus Nathan Uzorma
The concept of prophecy has been a cornerstone of human civilization, transcending cultural and religious boundaries. The word “prophecy” is said to have originated from the Greek word “propheteia,” meaning “gift of interpreting the will of God.” This etymology may be arguable because before the Greeks associated “propheteia” to prophecy, the black continent of Africa had words associated with the term in different context. Yes, the concept of prophesy existed in ancient Egypt but the specific word prophesy is Greek. In ancient Egypt, concepts like foretelling the future or divine communication were often associated with terms like, “Hu” or “Hw” which is related to divine utterance or word. “Sia” linked to perception or divine insight. “Nb” or “Nebu” sometimes connected to concepts of prophecy or seers.
The Egyptians had priests and seers (like the “hr-tp” or “hr-tpw) who interpreted gods’ wills. Following the above, attributing the etymology of almost every word to Greek origin, amount to what the Greeks themselves call “logiki plane” translated as logical fallacy. In various cultures, prophecy is seen as a means of communicating with the divine, providing guidance, and foretelling future events. However, there are records of African seers and prophets predicting significant events, before and after Alexander the Great’s invasion of the Royal Library in Egypt (356-323 BCE). However, here are some examples of African prophecies and seers: Kikuyu Prophets: In Central Kenya, seers predicted the arrival of Europeans with skin like “tiny white frogs” sailing from the ocean, which came true with colonialism. Meru People: Prophets foretold the coming of European colonialists three generations in advance. Sundiata Keita: The 13th-century founder of the Mali Empire was influenced by tales of Alexander the Great, and his life parallels Alexander’s in many ways, suggesting possible prophetic or predictive elements.
Simon Kimbangu (1887-1951): A Congolese prophet who predicted the coming of independence and performed miracles, he was arrested by Belgian authorities in 1921 and sentenced to death, later commuted to life imprisonment; so many of his prophecies came to pass. Esa Laliya, (c. 1880s-1928), an Ethiopian prophet that predicted the expulsion of Northern settlers and introduced new ritual practices was imprisoned and died in 1928. Syokimau was a Kenyan prophet who predicted the building of skyscrapers and the coming of white people with “sticks that spit fire” (guns) and “fire in their pockets” (matchsticks). Mugo wa Kibiru another Kenyan prophet who predicted the coming of Europeans and the construction of the railway line. Kimnyole Arap Turukat was another Kenyan prophet who predicted the coming of Europeans and the disruption of traditional life.
Gor Mahia, a great Kenyan prophet who predicted the coming of Europeans and the impact on traditional society. Koitalel Arap Samoei was another renowned Kenyan prophet who predicted the coming of Europeans and the resistance against colonialism. Sakawa was a Ghanaian prophet who predicted the coming of Europeans and the impact on traditional society while Hawecha was an Ethiopian prophet with predictions about social change and resistance.
These prophets played significant roles in shaping African history and responding to colonialism and social change.
Prophets have come and gone with each leveraging on other peoples impact. The point is that the case of Nigeria is completely different. We have had some prophecies that have not attended to the voice and tone of divinity. So many of our Prophets especially in modern churches are voices of falsehood that attempt to satisfy the urge of human ego; just to belong to the camp and be addressed as prophets. The need to gratify the human ego and become popular has made so many false prophets. In Nigeria, every election season is usually a period of prophesies and most gullible minds don’t ask questions. Church members are hypnotized with high level esoteric mesmerism. Some church leaders have scammed the minds of their followers thereby poisoning their minds with the phrase ‘thus says the lord…’
In Nigeria, the 2027 presidential election has sparked a flurry of prophecies from pastors and prophets, predominantly within the country. These prophecies range from predictions of victory to warnings of doom, leaving many Nigerians wondering what the future holds. But what is the significance of these prophecies, and how do they intersect with political calculations?
Political calculation refers to the strategic analysis of political situations, often involving the assessment of candidates, parties, and voter behaviour. Experts use various tools, including opinion polls and data analysis, to predict election outcomes. However, in Nigeria, prophets and pastors often claim to have divine insight into the outcome of elections, sometimes influencing voter behaviour and shaping public opinion. The intersection of prophecy and politics is not unique to Nigeria. Ancient civilizations, such as the Sumerians, believed in the power of prophecy. The Epic of Gilgamesh, a Sumerian poem, contains prophecies about the flood and the hero’s quest for immortality. Similarly, in Hinduism, the Vedas contain prophecies about the arrival of Kalki, the tenth avatar of Vishnu.
In the Western world, the Bible contains numerous prophecies, including those of Isaiah, Jeremiah, and Daniel. The Quran, the holy book of Islam, also contains prophecies, including predictions about the end of time and the final judgment. These prophecies are often seen as a means of guiding believers and providing insight into the future. Esoteric scholars and scientists have long studied the phenomenon of prophecy. Carl Jung, a Swiss psychiatrist, believed that prophecy was a manifestation of the collective unconscious, a shared reservoir of archetypes and experiences. Similarly, Rupert Sheldrake, a British biologist, proposed the concept of morphic resonance, which suggests that events and experiences can be connected across time and space.
However, not all prophecies are genuine. Some prophets use psychological manipulation to influence their followers, often for personal gain or to further their own agendas. False prophecies can have devastating consequences, leading to division, conflict, and even violence. In the context of the 2023 presidential election in Nigeria, several prophets made predictions about the outcome, including claims that Bola Tinubu would be arrested on the day of his swearing-in or would not survive to take office. These prophecies, however, did not come to pass, raising questions about their authenticity and the motivations behind them.
Differentiating between true and false prophecies requires discernment and critical thinking. True prophecies often come with a call to action, urging individuals to change their ways or prepare for the future. False prophecies, on the other hand, often focus on sensational or self-serving predictions, lacking substance or moral guidance. As Nigeria approaches the 2027 presidential election, it is crucial to approach prophecies with a critical and nuanced perspective. While prophecy can be a powerful tool for guidance and inspiration, it must be evaluated in the context of reason, evidence, and moral principles. Dear reader, what are your thoughts on the role of prophecy in Nigerian politics? Do you believe prophecies can shape the nation’s future, or are they simply a form of entertainment?
A historical survey to the above questions may assist us in understanding the role of prophecies in shaping a nation. The ancient Sumerians had a profound reverence for the power of prophecy, believing that the gods communicated with humans through various means, including dreams, omens, and the utterances of prophets. This is evident in the Epic of Gilgamesh, one of the earliest surviving works of literature, which contains prophecies that have been interpreted as foretelling future events. The epic, which dates back to around 2100 BC, tells the story of Gilgamesh, a king of Uruk in Sumeria, who embarks on a quest for immortality. The Epic of Gilgamesh contains several prophecies, including the prediction of a great flood that would destroy the earth. In Tablet XI, the god Enlil declares, “I will destroy the people and cause a deluge to destroy them.” This prophecy is remarkably similar to the biblical account of the flood in Genesis, where God decides to destroy the earth with a flood due to its wickedness. The similarity between these two accounts has led many scholars to suggest that the story of the flood in the Epic of Gilgamesh may have influenced the biblical narrative.