Category: Life – The Midweek Magazine

Title: Defender of the faith

Author: Banji Ojewale, Segun Babatope, Emeka Izeze and Tunde Opeibi

Reviewer: Ozolua Uhakheme

Publisher: Elite Academy Publishers, UK
Pagination: 325

Everyone’s life tells a story. But for some, their story isn’t only inspiring, but also extraordinary. It’s not only exciting; it’s amazing. When you read the stories of these great and significant personalities, be they political figures, human right activists, top military brass or clergymen, you grapple with a solemn awareness of the presence of greatness. You are forever humbled by your discovery of unique and original adventures their lives embody. The autobiographies, biographies and memoirs of these men and women of honour are treasure troves for posterity to learn and glean from their illustrious experiences and life’s intrigues.

The book Defender of the Faith, a detailed biography of the quintessential cleric, founder and General Superintendent Deeper Christian Life Ministry, Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi, falls under such category of an extraordinary story. Narrated by four different authors-Banji Ojewale, Segun Babatope, Emeka Izeze and Tunde Opeibi-the book offers a close-up, candid and stirring account of the life and time of the globally revered and renowned man of God.

From his birth in Erin-Ijesha Osun State on June 6, 1941 to the reeling years to his childhood. From his voyage from Osun State to Ijebu-Ode where he had his secondary school education to the University of Ibadan where he bagged a bachelor degree in Mathematics down to the University of Lagos where he became a varsity don, the book unveils the various transitions and trajectories that underscore the emergence of the great intellectual and pastor of one of the leading Pentecostal churches in Africa, and even the world at large.

The foreword of the book, presented by the General Overseer The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor E.A. Adeboye, is an attempt to summarise the nuggets of experiences the book covers. However, one has to read every page of the book to fully understand and appreciate the inspiring story of the cleric. As Pastor Adeboye himself aptly puts it, “Pastor Kumuyi is a living testimony of the faithfulness of God to anyone who devotes his life and time to seek and serve God. Reading this book will help the readers to know how they can be more closely committed to God, seeing Pastor Kumuyi as a living example of how it can be done.”

And indeed, the story in Defender of the Faith will inspire anyone to draw closer to one’s Creator as one follows closely the narrative of the life of this man, who likes the biblical David, has a heart that pants after God. Kumuyi was lucky enough to be raised in an Anglican family. Both parents were committed worshippers. And unlike many other children of his days, Kumuyi and his younger siblings were fortunate enough to be imbibed with the values and ethos of the Christian faith. A trait, according to the narrators, that would influence his journey to become a committed believer on April 5, 1964 and preacher of the Gospel of Christ ever since.

His student years are also captured in such a dramatic and thrilling fashion. According to the narratives, although Kumuyi wasn’t necessarily a bright student in his primary school days, but all that would change after his admission into Mayflower Secondary School, Ikenne in 1957. Under the tutelage of Tai Solarin of blessed memory, the school known for its disciplinary outlook and commitment to meritocracy instilled in young Kumuyi a new attitude and drive for academic excellence. He graduated at the top of his class. He repeated the same stride when he came out with a first-class honour in Mathematics at the University of Ibadan in 1967. He was also the overall best graduating student of the institution that year.

Defender of the Faith also chronicles the early years of Kumuyi’s ministry, his unbridled passion for lost souls, particularly youths, and different challenges the man of God encountered in building a legacy of faith in the embodiment of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry. The Ministry which started as a Bible Study gathering in his lecturer residence in University of Lagos with just 15 members has blossomed to reach the end of the world within four decades.

Another admiring quality documented in the book is the fact that Pastor Kumuyi is a man of great convictions. According to his narrators, despite being misunderstood, criticised and ever deemed a pariah among his colleagues and bystanders, the tenacious resolve of the man of God to his ecclesiastical duty to preach the unadulterated Word of God has marked him as a man who can walk the talk. As the book puts it, Pastor Kumuyi’s courage to stand by what he believes in the face of adversaries has made him to earn the respect and admiration of friends and foes alike. His message and conduct earned him the reputation of a man who makes holy living as his life’s priority. As a matter of fact, many consider the man of God has the pioneer of the Holiness Movement in both Nigeria and Africa.

The biography doesn’t shy away from the close-up details of the miraculous and supernatural events recorded in Kumuyi’s ministry. Jesus told his disciples to preach the Word and promised that signs and wonders would follow. This apparently is the testimony of the ministry of this man of God. In the first chapter titled Divine Affirmation, the book tells stories of eyewitnesses who have miraculously gotten healed from various diseases through the ministration of God’s own servant, Pastor Kumuyi. For example, an herbalist who was antagonistic to the ministry found himself being healed by the power of God through the ministration of the man of God. This herbalist later became a Christian. The story is not an isolated one, as the book reveals. There are hundreds of stories of the miraculous power of God manifested in the ministry of His servant detailed in the book.

What’s more, in the penultimate chapter titled Perspective and Personal Stories individual reports of those whose lives have been touched by the work and sacrifice of Pastor Kumuyi are also documented. Each person tells a unique story of the great influence the man of God has on them. His passion for youth which led to the establishment of the Success Academy for Youths (SAY) and Success Camp programmes attract millions of young people across the coast of Nigeria and other African countries for teaching, coaching and mentoring. As the book observes, “Parents who are not members of the Deeper Life Church voluntarily release their children for the gatherings because of the value the programmes continue to add to their wards.”

According to the authors, Pastor Kumuyi shares the widely-held wisdom that the future of any society or nation lies in the young generation. This has driven the man of God to invest greatly in youth affairs across the country. Anyone who is familiar with Deeper Christian Life Ministry would know how resolved the ministry is about the wellbeing of young people. This has also led the man of God to establish Anchor University, an academic institution whose vision is to raise “young men and women who are academically sound and spiritually vibrant for national and global transformation.” In just five years of establishment, the school has proven itself to be a force to be reckoned with in the academic ecosystem of Nigeria.

The book gives a sneak glance into the ensuing years of the man of God. While no one can successfully tell the future, “The active ministry of W.F. Kumuyi for about 50 years now makes it easy to predict what he will do or what can be reasonably expected of him in the future,” the authors write. Some of the predictions highlighted in the book include Pastor Kumuyi’s tenacious resolve to continue to defend the Christian faith both in Nigeria and globally, his Christ-centered, Bible-based teachings as well as his lifelong habit of giving himself to prayer!

The biography, which is a plain account of the life of Kumuyi, is not all about text as it also provides readers with vantage photographs of Pastor Kumuyi in company of his family members, top government functionaries, state governors, and dignitaries from across the globe and other men of God among others.

Defender of the Faith, as the authors noted, provides a window of insights into the life and work of the man that has positively and immensely influenced the course of Christianity in Nigeria and beyond. Kumuyi, a household name in the comity of spiritual leaders with global impact, is nothing short of a quintessential “defender of the faith”. And this biography is indeed a testimony to that fact.

 

No fewer than 249 musical artistes from 15 African countries stormed La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort, Lagos for this year’s Africa International Music (AIM) Festival that lasted eight days non-stop.

The yearly event, which was initiated by the President, La Campagne, Otunba Wanle Akinboboye, as part of the activation of his continent building project through “Motherland Beckons”, is a dedication to the development and promotion of authentic African music industry through the identification and grooming to stardom of young African artistes across the various music genres.

Aside creating a platform for the emergence of raw musical talents, it is also committed to discovering young talents and skills in the various aspects of music production, ranging from sound production, directing, lighting to other technical aspects with the vision of nurturing and exposing them to the world stage as technical exports from Africa.

Since its debut in 2017, the yearly festival has held except for last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which hampered global movement. This year’s event, which was in partnership with the African Union Economic Social and Cultural Council (AU-ECOSOCC)  towards the realisation of African Union (AU) Agenda 2063, was headlined by one of Nigeria’s renowned musical stars Dede Mabiaku – Afrobeat, highlife and jazz music maestro. He literarily set the stage on fire with his vibes and engaging dance gyrations, keeping the audience enthralled.

Young and talented artistes, numbering over 248 from 15 countries, took turns to ply their trades throughout the eight days event, giving a good account of themselves and their countries with electrifying performances. Besides individual artiste performances, there were country performances and collaborations by the various artistes, all adding to the entertainment.

The festival featured various activities that included Keggite gyration, dance, bonfire, water sports such as kayaking, beach volleyball, jet skiing and sport fishing, football, fashion parade, comedy shows and night clubbing as well as pool party and swimming.

Also on the bill was food festival, with the rich display of culinary treats from the six regions of African Continent. The star event was the breakfast buffet on the beach.  It was an amazing spectacle to behold the longest breakfast buffet setting, displaying the rich and diverse foods from the six regions of Africa.

The event attracted  music enthusiasts, and special guests including the African Union Economic Cultural and Social Council (AU-ECOSOCC) representative  to Nigeria, Honourable John Oba Olasukanmi and his team; the Senior Special Assistant to Lagos State Governor on Tourism, Culture and Arts, Solomon Sanu Bonu; Special Adviser to Ondo State Governor on Entrepreneurship and President of Africa Youth Entrepreneur, Dr. Summy Smart Francis, and Managing Director of Baobab Microfinance Bank, Dr. Kazeem Olarenwaju.

Some of the countries in attendance included Nigeria, Cameroon, Senegal, Kenya, Liberia, Burkina Faso, Benin Republic, Congo, Togo, Niger, Gabon, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Guinea and South Africa.

No fewer than forty talented musical stars thronged the National Theatre, Iganmu, Lagos penultimate Friday for the maiden Thrillerbandz music challenge that ran for two nights. The musical concert was organised by Evergreen Musical Company Ltd (Africa’s largest custodian, producers and promoters of indigenous musical repertoire) in collaboration with National Theatre and endorsed by Lagos State Government. It was a platform for the re-emergence of new musical talents in the Nigerian music industry, particularly the indigenous repertoire.

Instructively, the event also serves as a revival of live band culture, which brought back memories of popular fiesta like Havana Music Festival in University of Ibadan and Lekki SunSplash of the 90s. The musical challenge saw the sterling performances of 10-year-old Vanessa Jones, a LAWMA and Adron Home Ambassador who was the youngest contestant.

An hour to the start of the event, there was anxiety in the air. Judges had taken their seats, the compere Dr. Shuaibu Hussein on stage and all bands in ready mode for the night. Also in attendance were music stars like Yinka Davies, Stella Monye, Kola Ogunkoya, Obafemi Edwards, Mr Laolu Akins and Yemi Sodimu.

Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu assured youths in the state, particularly those in the creative and entertainment industries of continuous support and empowerment. He said the organisers should expect more commitment and sponsorship of live band activities in the new year.

Special Adviser to Govenor Sanwo-Olu on Tourism Mr. Solomon Bonu, who represented the governor, promised continuous support for live bands in Lagos State. He reiterated that live bands made Lagos tick in the early years and it made sense to ensure we continue to follow that tradition of keeping the legacies of the iconic musicians.

He thanked the organisers of the event for using such platforms to expose upcoming musicians, creating job opportunities for youths. He also commended local vendors on the theatre premises for using the opportunity of the event to sell their products.

National Theatre General Manager Prof. Sunny Enessi Ododo promised more support for cultural activities in the New Year and enjoined all to be part of the new beginning.

The event ended at 3.am as the winners of the challenge Handsome Leke Jummy, Oyinlomo Diamond, Epenasa were presented with their cheques.

Managing Director, Evergreen Musical Company, Bimbo Esho, the brain behind the event, thanked participants and supporters for their support, sacrifices and consistency.

Among the early performers was Vanessa Jones whose appearance reminded the audience of star kids such as Benita Okojie, Tosin Jegede and Yvonne Maha of the 80s and 90s.

Her scintillating body movement and the innocence in her voice held the audience spellbound as she did an outstanding performance of legendary Juju music icon King Sunny Ade’s song Jafunmi, a song 30 years older than her. That wasn’t the only highlight of the night. Most of the contestants rendered songs by veterans like Chief Commander Ebenezer Obey, Sikiru Ayinde Barrister, Ayinla Omowura, Christy Essien, Majek Fashek, Orlando Owoh and Tunji Oyelana — a revelation that debunked the notion that today’s youth are not in tune with the music of yesteryears.

By 3am, the anxiety level had risen as the event moved to a close with the announcement of winners of the contest. An upcoming Fuji act Abiodun Ajadi popularly  known as Epenesa  who rendered Alhaji Sikiru Ayinde’s song Ajuwejuwe won the third position. The second place winner was Abimbola Omoyeni popularly known as Oyinlomo Diamond who expressed shock and cried uncontrollably when her name was announced. Oyinlomo’s performance of Ayinla Omowura’s evergreen song Ebi Kin Pa Igun cannot be forgotten in a hurry as her voice control in the rendition of the Apala song showed professionalism.

The first position went to Adeleke Agboola aka Handsome Leke Jummy who did justice to the song Mawomiroro by Orlando Owoh.

Other contestants were Ola Jerry, Funmi Adenekan, Nike Elegbede, Ojiji Eledumare, Saint Honey, Comfort Roland, Star Girl, Yemi Omoba, Moji Praise, Divine Doris, Afowoslide, Aj Sequential, Pedro, Aloyinlapa, Awoko Jesu, Beezegreat, Dare Overcomer, Divine Doris, Fola Best, Gbenga Oni, Jare Adebayo, Johnson Akinlabi, King Salvage, NifemiGold, Ojuaje Anointing, Queen Betty Black, Speed, iLife Brass, Talande Stars, Tope hallelujah and Vsound.

 

The Holy Bible in gENESIS 1: 27 gives an account about creation; “so God created man in his own image, in the image of God created him, male and female, He created them, vs. 28; and God blessed them, and God said into them, be fruitful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it.”

Little wonder that every living thing has the natural inclination and yearning to fulfill this divinely given order and blessing, irrespective of their background, social, spiritual status and level.

In fact, in elementary science, one of the major characteristics of living things (I hope you remember the ‘MR NIGER D’) of those days in which one of the ‘R’ is reproduction. That is why any living thing incapable of reproducing is seen as abnormal.

The above gave rise to the concept of fertility and infertility. In every human setting or environment both are of great importance. Naturally, fertility is welcome while infertility is abhorred. In Yoruba land as in other ethnic groups, these issues are treated with utmost seriousness. It is so important that these issues are viewed from the spiritual stand point even traditionally i.e. apart from Christianity and Islam. Perhaps this is what gave birth to the deities of fertility that are prominent in Yoruba traditional settings.

SANGO is the Yoruba god of lightning and thunder. Sango was a magician; whenever he spoke, fire and smoke reportedly issued forth from his nose and mouth. This began his worship as the orisa of thunder and lightning from Oyo-Ile. His worship was later to spread to other parts of Yoruba land and Dahomey. Sango is believed to give sound children, health, wealth and power to his worshippers. The rain is considered as his; with it he fertilises the farms and replenishes the drinking ponds, thereby providing humanity with nourishment.

On a Sango altar, the kneeling female, apart from paying homage, also symbolizes “Ikunle – Abiyamo” ‘the kneeling posture of a woman in labour’. The kneeling female figure on the altar can as well embody a request for the fertility of women in general and of its donor in particular, for the ease of childbirth and the increase of plant and animal life.

Also twins (ibeji) are believed to be descendants of Sango and protected by the deity. ORISA – OKO, farm god was conceived as safeguarding the vital interests of the Yoruba, which in traditional days were altogether connected with farming. This main activity, farming, was beset by a host of problems, namely soil infertility, drought, crop diseases and pests, all resulting in crop failure or a lean harvest which dealt a blow to the population. Orisa Oko’s function was to prevent these catastrophes and thereby reduce the years of famine and promote rich harvests. Tradition asserts that devotion to Orisa Oko originated at Irawo and it remains as the headquarters of the deity. Great zeal in worship is still shown in Ibadan, Abeokuta, and Osun division. The deity was represented by an iron staff. Women formed the greater bulk of the devotees as they had the responsibility of making ends meet in the home, even when there was crop failure. Even so, all refrain from eating new yams until the New yam festival, when offerings were made first to the Orisa oko.

For similar reasons, it was a taboo to carry exposed new yams past certain parts of the town or sell them in the central market before the feast day.

Such ram heads and human heads with ram horns are placed on the ancestral altars of the chiefs of the royal linage at Owo and sacrifices are made before them at the cutting of the first yam every year in supplication for human and agricultural fertility.

Orunmila is the deity of Ifa. Orunmila is the agent of order, having given man the divination system known as Ifa; by which the future can be foreseen and any impending trouble or evil averted through appropriate sacrifices.

Orunmila is believed to be second to Olodumare (the supreme) and as the owner of all wisdom and knowledge. The deity knows many secrets of man’s destiny and is consulted through Ifa divination by the diviner (Priest). The deity can be consulted on the issues such as which land should be farmed, what crops would yield bumper harvests, how to prevent or cure a disease and son on.

The great importance which the Yoruba, like other Africans attached to having children, made the worshipping of Yemoja (the deity mother of all rivers and fishes) almost country wide, as it was identified with having innumerable children. Other coastal deities include: Olosa, Olokun etc. maternity figure is used to adorn shrines of Yemoja.

Nobody prays for infertility in the whole world, but one way or the other, affliction comes to man. It therefore behooves, the sufferer of any ailment to consult people or the designated deity for solution.

From the foregoing, we could see that some of these causes can be prevented such as smoking, overweight or underweight, abortion etc. infertility in agriculture can be prevented through proper managements of land by practicing the right farming methods.

 

No fewer than 249 musical artistes from 15 African countries stormed La Campagne Tropicana Beach Resort, Lagos for this year’s Africa International Music (AIM) Festival that lasted eight days non-stop.

The yearly event, which was initiated by the President, La Campagne, Otunba Wanle Akinboboye, as part of the activation of his continent building project through “Motherland Beckons”, is a dedication to the development and promotion of authentic African music industry through the identification and grooming to stardom of young African artistes across the various music genres.

Aside creating a platform for the emergence of raw musical talents, it is also committed to discovering young talents and skills in the various aspects of music production, ranging from sound production, directing, lighting to other technical aspects with the vision of nurturing and exposing them to the world stage as technical exports from Africa.

Since its debut in 2017, the yearly festival has held except for last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which hampered global movement. This year’s event, which was in partnership with the African Union Economic Social and Cultural Council (AU-ECOSOCC)  towards the realisation of African Union (AU) Agenda 2063, was headlined by one of Nigeria’s renowned musical stars Dede Mabiaku – Afrobeat, highlife and jazz music maestro. He literarily set the stage on fire with his vibes and engaging dance gyrations, keeping the audience enthralled.

Young and talented artistes, numbering over 248 from 15 countries, took turns to ply their trades throughout the eight days event, giving a good account of themselves and their countries with electrifying performances. Besides individual artiste performances, there were country performances and collaborations by the various artistes, all adding to the entertainment.

The festival featured various activities that included Keggite gyration, dance, bonfire, water sports such as kayaking, beach volleyball, jet skiing and sport fishing, football, fashion parade, comedy shows and night clubbing as well as pool party and swimming.

Also on the bill was food festival, with the rich display of culinary treats from the six regions of African Continent. The star event was the breakfast buffet on the beach.  It was an amazing spectacle to behold the longest breakfast buffet setting, displaying the rich and diverse foods from the six regions of Africa.

The event attracted  music enthusiasts, and special guests including the African Union Economic Cultural and Social Council (AU-ECOSOCC) representative  to Nigeria, Honourable John Oba Olasukanmi and his team; the Senior Special Assistant to Lagos State Governor on Tourism, Culture and Arts, Solomon Sanu Bonu; Special Adviser to Ondo State Governor on Entrepreneurship and President of Africa Youth Entrepreneur, Dr. Summy Smart Francis, and Managing Director of Baobab Microfinance Bank, Dr. Kazeem Olarenwaju.

Some of the countries in attendance included Nigeria, Cameroon, Senegal, Kenya, Liberia, Burkina Faso, Benin Republic, Congo, Togo, Niger, Gabon, Djibouti, Ethiopia, Guinea and South Africa.

Title: Defender of the faith

Author: Banji Ojewale, Segun Babatope, Emeka Izeze and Tunde Opeibi

Reviewer: Ozolua Uhakheme

Publisher: Elite Academy Publishers, UK
Pagination: 325

Everyone’s life tells a story. But for some, their story isn’t only inspiring, but also extraordinary. It’s not only exciting; it’s amazing. When you read the stories of these great and significant personalities, be they political figures, human right activists, top military brass or clergymen, you grapple with a solemn awareness of the presence of greatness. You are forever humbled by your discovery of unique and original adventures their lives embody. The autobiographies, biographies and memoirs of these men and women of honour are treasure troves for posterity to learn and glean from their illustrious experiences and life’s intrigues.

The book Defender of the Faith, a detailed biography of the quintessential cleric, founder and General Superintendent Deeper Christian Life Ministry, Pastor William Folorunso Kumuyi, falls under such category of an extraordinary story. Narrated by four different authors-Banji Ojewale, Segun Babatope, Emeka Izeze and Tunde Opeibi-the book offers a close-up, candid and stirring account of the life and time of the globally revered and renowned man of God.

From his birth in Erin-Ijesha Osun State on June 6, 1941 to the reeling years to his childhood. From his voyage from Osun State to Ijebu-Ode where he had his secondary school education to the University of Ibadan where he bagged a bachelor degree in Mathematics down to the University of Lagos where he became a varsity don, the book unveils the various transitions and trajectories that underscore the emergence of the great intellectual and pastor of one of the leading Pentecostal churches in Africa, and even the world at large.

The foreword of the book, presented by the General Overseer The Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor E.A. Adeboye, is an attempt to summarise the nuggets of experiences the book covers. However, one has to read every page of the book to fully understand and appreciate the inspiring story of the cleric. As Pastor Adeboye himself aptly puts it, “Pastor Kumuyi is a living testimony of the faithfulness of God to anyone who devotes his life and time to seek and serve God. Reading this book will help the readers to know how they can be more closely committed to God, seeing Pastor Kumuyi as a living example of how it can be done.”

And indeed, the story in Defender of the Faith will inspire anyone to draw closer to one’s Creator as one follows closely the narrative of the life of this man, who likes the biblical David, has a heart that pants after God. Kumuyi was lucky enough to be raised in an Anglican family. Both parents were committed worshippers. And unlike many other children of his days, Kumuyi and his younger siblings were fortunate enough to be imbibed with the values and ethos of the Christian faith. A trait, according to the narrators, that would influence his journey to become a committed believer on April 5, 1964 and preacher of the Gospel of Christ ever since.

His student years are also captured in such a dramatic and thrilling fashion. According to the narratives, although Kumuyi wasn’t necessarily a bright student in his primary school days, but all that would change after his admission into Mayflower Secondary School, Ikenne in 1957. Under the tutelage of Tai Solarin of blessed memory, the school known for its disciplinary outlook and commitment to meritocracy instilled in young Kumuyi a new attitude and drive for academic excellence. He graduated at the top of his class. He repeated the same stride when he came out with a first-class honour in Mathematics at the University of Ibadan in 1967. He was also the overall best graduating student of the institution that year.

Defender of the Faith also chronicles the early years of Kumuyi’s ministry, his unbridled passion for lost souls, particularly youths, and different challenges the man of God encountered in building a legacy of faith in the embodiment of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry. The Ministry which started as a Bible Study gathering in his lecturer residence in University of Lagos with just 15 members has blossomed to reach the end of the world within four decades.

Another admiring quality documented in the book is the fact that Pastor Kumuyi is a man of great convictions. According to his narrators, despite being misunderstood, criticised and ever deemed a pariah among his colleagues and bystanders, the tenacious resolve of the man of God to his ecclesiastical duty to preach the unadulterated Word of God has marked him as a man who can walk the talk. As the book puts it, Pastor Kumuyi’s courage to stand by what he believes in the face of adversaries has made him to earn the respect and admiration of friends and foes alike. His message and conduct earned him the reputation of a man who makes holy living as his life’s priority. As a matter of fact, many consider the man of God has the pioneer of the Holiness Movement in both Nigeria and Africa.

The biography doesn’t shy away from the close-up details of the miraculous and supernatural events recorded in Kumuyi’s ministry. Jesus told his disciples to preach the Word and promised that signs and wonders would follow. This apparently is the testimony of the ministry of this man of God. In the first chapter titled Divine Affirmation, the book tells stories of eyewitnesses who have miraculously gotten healed from various diseases through the ministration of God’s own servant, Pastor Kumuyi. For example, an herbalist who was antagonistic to the ministry found himself being healed by the power of God through the ministration of the man of God. This herbalist later became a Christian. The story is not an isolated one, as the book reveals. There are hundreds of stories of the miraculous power of God manifested in the ministry of His servant detailed in the book.

What’s more, in the penultimate chapter titled Perspective and Personal Stories individual reports of those whose lives have been touched by the work and sacrifice of Pastor Kumuyi are also documented. Each person tells a unique story of the great influence the man of God has on them. His passion for youth which led to the establishment of the Success Academy for Youths (SAY) and Success Camp programmes attract millions of young people across the coast of Nigeria and other African countries for teaching, coaching and mentoring. As the book observes, “Parents who are not members of the Deeper Life Church voluntarily release their children for the gatherings because of the value the programmes continue to add to their wards.”

According to the authors, Pastor Kumuyi shares the widely-held wisdom that the future of any society or nation lies in the young generation. This has driven the man of God to invest greatly in youth affairs across the country. Anyone who is familiar with Deeper Christian Life Ministry would know how resolved the ministry is about the wellbeing of young people. This has also led the man of God to establish Anchor University, an academic institution whose vision is to raise “young men and women who are academically sound and spiritually vibrant for national and global transformation.” In just five years of establishment, the school has proven itself to be a force to be reckoned with in the academic ecosystem of Nigeria.

The book gives a sneak glance into the ensuing years of the man of God. While no one can successfully tell the future, “The active ministry of W.F. Kumuyi for about 50 years now makes it easy to predict what he will do or what can be reasonably expected of him in the future,” the authors write. Some of the predictions highlighted in the book include Pastor Kumuyi’s tenacious resolve to continue to defend the Christian faith both in Nigeria and globally, his Christ-centered, Bible-based teachings as well as his lifelong habit of giving himself to prayer!

The biography, which is a plain account of the life of Kumuyi, is not all about text as it also provides readers with vantage photographs of Pastor Kumuyi in company of his family members, top government functionaries, state governors, and dignitaries from across the globe and other men of God among others.

Defender of the Faith, as the authors noted, provides a window of insights into the life and work of the man that has positively and immensely influenced the course of Christianity in Nigeria and beyond. Kumuyi, a household name in the comity of spiritual leaders with global impact, is nothing short of a quintessential “defender of the faith”. And this biography is indeed a testimony to that fact.

 

If there is anything you can count on with Aduke, it is to give a remarkable live performance. The performing artiste and Peace and Light crooner made an appearance at Bature Brewery recently, a first of its kind craft beer brewery on Etim Iyang, Victoria Island, Lagos that caters for original African music lovers. It was a Friday evening that appeared like every other. But what the audience did not know was that Aduke on stage was a different and out of the world experience that will blow their minds.

Backed by The SoundWagon, her seven-man band of 12 years, Aduke played songs from her debut album and other singles. The audience were thrilled with a musical journey starting with a deeply cultural entrance with the band – Aduke la wa ba sere, a o ba t’ija wa, Aduke la wa ba sere. Aduke followed up this introduction with Aduke De from her debut album.

The song narrates her experience over the years, proclaiming her presence and making a statement that she is not backing down any time soon.

Track after track the moment was built, with songs like In my shoes, Traverse troubadour, Enikeni, One Love by Bob Marley, putting the audience in a reflective mood while Adiye, S’ope tie and Made in Lagos got the audience on its feet dancing.

Aduke has for 13 years been a delight on stage, in and outside Nigeria, just before her performance at Bature Brewery.  She made an appearance at the London Kindred, in London. After her thrilling performance, she hinted of a tour across Europe and West Africa next year.

For the first time in the history of Mountain Top University, Ibafo in Ogun State, a post-doctoral art exhibition entitled Fabricating Painting (a conceptualisation of fabric collage technique on grounds) is part of activities marking the university’s combined second and third convocation.

The solo exhibition by Dr. Peacemaker Alexander Efeoghene, featuring about 32 artworks, is aimed at opening new vista of researches in Fine and Applied Arts Department and at Mountain Top University to successfully pioneer a degree programme in visual and design fields of creativity.

According to Efeoghene, a Research Fellow at the university, adoption of fabric collage painting technique will expose students to new methodologies in their creative endeavours and productivity (using unconventional approaches as against traditional practices).

Fabric collage painting is a technique whereby cutout plain fabric is pasted onto prepared surface with adhesive. This method is independence of the paint media. Unstained, uncoloured and undyed fabric leaving finished works looking as if they are rendered in paint media and at times in impasto effect.

Works on display are in four categories, expressing the progressive evolution of traditional impressionistic paintings in acrylic paint medium on canvas since 1995.

“The 2004 research exploit into unconventional use of plain and patterned fabric to express painting on canvas ground termed early collages. It was a technique discovered while working with a class of elementary school pupils in Lagos. The third category is the 2014 – 2016 MFA research (Masters in Fine Arts, UNIBEN). This was the advance stage of fabric collage rendition on canvas, – expressing the all the elements and principles of Art and painting. The fourth category of works was the recent successes attained in 2017 to 2019 at the UNIBEN, PhD programme. At this stage, plain fabric was explored to achieve a more advanced impressionistic and expressionistic painting style on selected grounds,” he said.

Among his works on display are Storm on Abraka Beach. Through the Sahara-2. Hausa trumpeter, kaa kaki player, Gouge player, Urhobo couple, Urhobo dance rhythm, African-American Tune, Through the Rain, Act of Gratitude, flower vase, Agama lizard, Durbar Race and Through the Sahara 1&2.

The works on display express landscape sceneries, figures, still and natural object concepts which address current human and societal lifestyle and issues, such as commerce, music and entertainment, cerebration, local events, insecurity and so on.

The exhibition opened yesterday at the university’s College of Humanities, Management and Social Sciences Hall, while the convocation holds tomorrow at the Multipurpose Hall.

The Director-General, National Gallery of Art (NGA), Mr. Ebeten William Ivara, has said that Federal Government is working assiduously towards changing the narrative of arts by using technology to explore different dimensions.

He stated that the aesthetic values of arts was relevant to human existence, hence, the need for artists to relate with each other and fine-tune other means of exploration.

Ivara spoke at the opening of the 2021 edition of international visual art teachers’ workshop with the theme “Repositioning the Visual Art sector; Curriculum review, challenges, prospect, and new media in contemporary Art Pedagogy”. It held recently at the main auditorium of the University of Jos.

The visual art workshop, which was organised by NGA, in collaboration with University of Jos, ran from December 13 to 16.

According to Ivara, who was represented by Director of Administration, Adamu Ibrahim, the event was “in line with our mandate and commitment. International visual Art Teacher’s workshop is geared towards improving creativity, research and discovering new ways of updating teachers in the field of visual art.

“This programme is expected to provide a richer opportunity to participants and fully harness the challenges of Art schools, because Art teacher’s needs constant and consistent upgrading and training so as to keep them abreast with current improvement and discoveries in visual art.

“National Visual of Art will continue to strive in ensuring that Nigeria Visual art becomes a veritable tool for wealth creation, employment generation, self reliance as well as huge foreign exchange earners to the country”, he noted.

Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong described the workshop as a right step in the right direction, noting that it would yield a fruitful resolution.

Lalong, who was represented by the Commissioner of Tourism, Culture and Hospitality, Tamwukat Weli, assured that government was ready to continue lending it’s unflinching support for such kind of initiative. He charged participants to take advantage of the workshop and change the fortune of the visual art sector for good.

Dean, Faculty of Environmental Science, University of Jos, Prof. Gideon Bakilik, who stood in for the Vice Chancellor, Prof Tanko Ishaya, acknowledged that choosing the institution to host the workshop was strategic, looking at its track record of consistently producing people with great potential.

He called on the organisers of the workshop to work out modalities towards ensuring the event held annually.

On her part, the Zonal Coordinator of Tourism, Mrs. Nanna Yakubu, told participants that “the environment of tourism keep on changing and in growing, you have to look at challenges because the art sector have been engulfed with numerous challenges seeking solution.”

One of Nigeria’s contemporary artists Mr. Emmanuel Ekong Ekefrey is not a stranger to the Lagos exhibition circuit. His busy and colourful paintings are uniquely his signature. More importantly, too, the subjects of his paintings are not mere figures or illustrations but contemporary issues. Little wonder his recent solo exhibition entitled Masked Faces In Lockdown, held at Thought Pyramid Art Centre, Ikoyi, Lagos, was to lend his voice against the spread of COVID-19, especially the OMICRON variant of the virus that is fast spreading across the globe.

Masked Faces In Lockdown is a comprehensive representation of the feelings of Africans through Ekefrey’s outstanding imagination.

His title artwork, No one is safe until all is safe, is a clarion call to all nations to work as a team to defeat the scourge that is ravaging the globe. He presents as usual a busy colourful canvas of different faces wearing masks. But the masks, which are closely knitted to one another, are made from colours of various countries’ flags to indicate the interconnectivity of the globe.

Underlining that message is the fact that mask wearing is not a strange culture to Africans.

“But what I am saying in another breath is that mask is not strange to Nigerians or Africans. We wear masks. What I’m happy for as an African is that Africans are what I like to call inventor of mask wearing. Like the art work you see there, I try to show it that this mask-wearing has been in Africa from the time of our forefathers up till this moment. Now, we have realised that wearing mask is good. Africans always wear masks,” he noted.

According to him, while other countries are contracting COVID-19, “we can only boast when we know that all nations are saved. That’s why I’m saying that no country is safe until all countries are saved. And how can we do that? We have to follow what the World Health Organisation is advising us to do, like washing our hands, wearing face masks and maintaining social distancing. The 10 fingers indicate distancing while the white colour represents cleanliness when you wash your hands with soap and water. The national flags of Nigeria, Great Britain, China, Brazil Ghana etc to represent the interconnectivity.’

He uses his paintings to express his views that, for any country to be saved, all the people of the world should try to mask up.

To Ekefrey, colours help to cover any ugliness; hence, his style is driven by vibrant colours. “I’m not really worried about the crowded nature of my canvas because I take many of my pieces from the multitude,” he said of the content and forms of his paintings at the exhibition.

He described his talent in art as God’s gift because he was born with it and his father was a sculptor. He, however, acknowledged the inspiration he got from renowned artists such as Bruce Onobrakpeya and Kolade Oshinowo.

“It is from my blood. But, the inspiration I got in Lagos from famous artists such as Bruce Onobrakpeya, Kolade Oshinowo, helped me to be what I am today. And I worship them,” he recalled.

Ekefrey never shied away from his love for Lagos, a city, he said, made him what he is today. Though born by Akwa Ibom parents, Ekefrey has lived and practised in Lagos for decades. His love for Lagos re-echoed in Molue and EKO Onibaje, two paintings that mirror his strong belief in the city of Lagos and the abundant opportunities as well as the endemic transportation challenges in most Nigerian cities.

Molue is a satire of the state of the nation’s transportation system, which he described as very bad. To him, this challenge is not peculiar to Lagos alone as cities like Abuja, Maiduguri, Ibadan, Enugu and others are all affected.

“We must try to put our transport system in order. The late Fela Anikulapo Kuti called it ninety-nine standing, forty-four sitting. That’s why I’m advising the government to put our road in good shape for everybody to travel safely,” he noted.

Celebrating the other side of Lagos, he jocularly said: “If you cannot succeed in Lagos that means you cannot succeed anywhere else.

“But, I’m joining in the campaign to keep Lagos safe for all. Let Eko never be destroyed. Personally, I gain a lot from the city. See what I’m doing now. It’s Eko that made it possible. Even though I’m from Akwa Ibom, I don’t know how to paint in Akwa Ibom. I paint in Lagos. Especially now that people are eyeing 2023 election,  I am saying let us use goodness, wisdom and righteousness to be good citizens of Lagos and we will get goodness from Lagos because Lagos is a green land.”

The rich and famous cultures of the Benin and Ife are also part of what Ekefrey celebrates in his solo exhibition. Oba of Benin and Statue of Ooni of Ife, two portraits of the monarchs, were rendered with vibrant colours showing the unique heritage of the two cities and their people.

According to a statement in the exhibition brochure, the show aims at taking viewers on a journey through shifting realities and consistently evolving experiences of our society.

“With an eye on his Ibibio cultural roots, Ekefrey’s works celebrate the aesthetics of the masking traditions of his people with keen emphasis on Ekpe masqueraders and the Abang maiden dancers,” it said.

Working predominantly in acrylic on canvas, Ekefrey’s emotive figurative paintings are characterised by ethereal cultural characteristics and multi-layered scenes.

Among his works on display are Itembe master drum, Kick COVID out of Africa, Nsibidi Masquerade, African carved, Ekpo Ino ebot mi, All skin colours, same blood, Ekefrey art in the round.