Yemi Solade is an accomplished actor and theatre practitioner who has been contributing to the growth of the Nigerian entertainment industry for over four decades. The doyen actor tells OLAITAN GANIU his favourite things.
Trends are temporary. Personal style is a la mode. Here are 7 timeless fashion secrets:
1. VISUALISE YOUR DRESSING BEFORE STEPPING OUT
It’s important to plan your outfit ahead of time . It’s a good idea to plan at least a day when you have an event the next day. Try visualizing your outfit and then try it on to make any necessary adjustments. By doing this, you’ll always be confident and ready to go.
2. DRESS WELL AND FEEL GOOD
When selecting clothes, it is essential to understand which silhouettes suit your body type. You can accentuate a small waist by belting your outfit, flaunt your shoulders, or even show a little cleavage. If you have narrow shoulders and small cups, a deep V-neckline can create the illusion of some shape on top. However, turtlenecks can enhance your bust, and skinny jeans may not be suitable for pear-shaped women. Conversely, if you have wider hips, you can opt for outfits and fabrics that conceal bulkiness and draw attention to your waist. No matter what you choose, always remember to prioritize your comfort and confidence.
3. SHOES CAN NEVER BE OVEREMPHASIZED
An embellished shoe can add a pop to a boring outfit. Don’t be scared to try out bold patterns like leopard print, gold and beaded embroidery designs. The perfect shade of nude shoe will highlight where your leg ends, giving the illusion that they go on for much longer than they actually do. It doesn’t matter if it’s a flat sandal, a simple pump or high heeled sandal — you can’t go wrong in the perfect shade of nude. There is also nothing more useful than a black, closed-toe pump. Its elegance and timelessness can add an extra spark to any aesthetic.
4. INVEST IN FASHION ACCESSORIES
Pearls and clutch purses are timeless fashion pieces. For a chic and elegant look, pair a pearl choker and ear cuffs with a clutch purse to elevate your weekend outfit for a party-ready look. You can also enhance your style with statement necklaces, chandelier earrings, bold colored belts, fashionable stud rings and earrings, a chic hat, and oversized sunglasses. Handbags are another great way to add character to your look, so don’t go for boring ones. If you prefer classic shapes, opt for more colors like classic red or metallic green. If you’re tired of bright colors, try out more neutral shades like black, brown, or nude. Look for affordable bags from your favorite brand, but always take note of the bag’s size and shoulder straps.
5. KEEP IT SIMPLE AND NEAT.
Simplicity is the ultimate form of beauty. The minimalist style is effortless yet sophisticated, which you should consider. Unless you are walking on a runway, you should keep in mind that a chic jumpsuit with a stunning neckline does not require large earrings or a statement necklace. Instead, try wearing a scarf around your neck; it is timeless and simple enough to make you feel confident. If you’re tired of neutral colors, give red a try. Experiment with invisible pink and beige for a classy finish, and if you want to draw some more attention to your fingers, try a darker shade of nail polish. Whatever color you choose, remember to keep your nails neat. If you lack time to apply nail polish, cover them with a clear coat of shine. This adds an extra layer of protection against splitting and chipping.
6. BLACK AND WHITE ALWAYS MAKE A STATEMENT
There are days when it’s hard to decide what to wear, even when there’s a pile of clothes on your bed. In such cases, going for a classic black and white outfit is a great strategy. Although an all-black outfit looks really cool, adding a little bit of white can definitely make a statement. There’s nothing wrong with wearing a lot of black, but you can overdo it with white, so it’s best to find a balance. To complete this look, wear a bright red or dark purple lipstick, and voila! You’re ready to go.
Achieving clear and healthy skin is a valuable investment, so it’s essential to establish a skincare routine that suits your skin type. However, it’s normal to experience a few breakouts during your menstrual cycle, so don’t panic. Refrain from using multiple skincare products simultaneously, as it may cause skin irritation. Instead, opt for mild and gentle skincare products like a gentle cleanser, serum, a light moisturizer with SPF during the day, and a slightly heavier moisturizer at night. Also, incorporate an eye cream that targets dark circles and fine lines around the eyes. Exfoliation is crucial to keep your pores clean and your skin glowing. Experiment to identify what works best for your skin and stick to it.
Says best way to manage football tense moments is to watch with 50-50 expectation
President-General, Nigerian Football Supporters Club, Dr. Rafiu Ladipo, speaks on his nearly fifty years adventure supporting the Super Eagles and other Nigerian football teams at home and across the globe. He also shared his recent AFCON experience in Cote d’Ivoire and some of his close shaves with death on the beat with Gboyega Alaka.
At well over 70, you look so sharp and trendy; what have been the secret for you?
There is no secret in ageing; it’s just God’s grace, God’s blessing. It is by the grace of God that one grows old and looks youthful; and that is what has happened to my life, aside the fact that I don’t do what I cannot manage. I don’t drink, and I don’t smoke. I really don’t even womanise. And I don’t put my hands into what I cannot manage or look for what I cannot get. God has given everybody that opportunity to be whatever they want to be but He has not given you the right to look for what He has not blessed you with; and if you force yourself to look for what He has not blessed you with, then you’re looking for trouble.
You have been active going everywhere, supporting Nigerian football for forty years; you were even in Cote d’Ivoire; are you not tired?
No, I am not tired. I love what I’m doing, and I’m always filled with joy when I’m doing it; so I really don’t get tired. Besides, I can never get tired of doing it for my country. I love Nigeria so much and I believe that every Nigerian, be you a boy or a girl; a man or a woman, must give your best to the good and positive image of our country. Take a look at this Nigerian flag on my shirt; it’s on all my clothes and I’m probably the only Nigerian who dresses like this. It is borne out of my love for Nigeria.
Interesting how you espouse so much love for Nigeria in an age when many young people, even the not so young, are quick to vilify and even curse their country? What message do you have for such people?
I do know that there are problems in the country; but when you curse the country, then, the more problems we may have; and whatever problems we may have, you are involved. Your children will be involved; even those yet unborn will be involved. So the best thing is to calm down, pray to God that Nigeria sees better days and better years ahead. Nobody wakes up in the morning and places a curse on himself, so why curse your country? We need to pray for Nigeria. Even if you move to any other country, whether the United States or the United Kingdom, you are in the first place a Nigerian, and you have family here – whether immediate of extended. Even if you die overseas, your people will bring your corpse home; and even if they don’t, a time will come when people will ask your children about their father’s grave site.
You were in the stadium during that AFCON semi-final match against South Africa; Nigeria lost so many people in that tension-soaked match, but here you are, a veteran of so many football ‘wars,’ still standing tall. How have you managed those tense moments?
First and foremost, I want to thank God for my life, for seeing me through all these years of many ‘football wars’, violence, hooliganisms and the rest. It is God’s spirit that has kept me. If I cast my mind to how I became a member of the Supporters Club, it believe it was borne out of God wanting to use me. I was at the National Stadium, Surulere in 1977, when IICC Shooting Stars of Ibadan were to play Bendel Insurance FC in an FA Cup semi final match; I got into the stadium after paying N4 but I couldn’t get a seat and had to stand. Before I knew it, I was taken off the ground and throw in the air. I landed on the concrete and before I knew it, over 50 people were on top of me and I couldn’t breathe. But through the grace of God, I was saved. Indeed, the first half, I couldn’t watch because I was under the concrete slab. It was the breeze that was coming from outside the stadium that saved me. After the first half, I came out and I was given a small seat. Even after the match ended, I was still uncomfortable and remained in the stadium for over one hour, shaken. Later at home, I heard over the 9 o’ clock news on television that 32 people died in the stadium. That was when I realised I could have been gone, and I thanked God for saving my life. I have seen so many football ‘wars’, whether in Nigeria or outside. Whether we’re winning or losing, I’ve been in the thick of things. However, nobody is a wise man. Only God gives wisdom. Nobody knows tomorrow; so I want to appreciate the lives of those that died on that day. I pray that God gives their families the fortitude to bear the loss. It was a big sacrifice for Nigeria.
Is there any technique to disengaging one’s emotion from the game?
There is; and I’ll tell you. I used to be very emotional, but there was a day in 1984, when Shooting Stars were playing Zamalek FC of Egypt in an African Champions League final and I fainted as a result of the tension and everything. The press took my photo, and the next day, I saw my picture in the paper with the caption: ‘The lifeless body of Dr. Rafiu Ladipo. The day the Nigerian flag refused to fly.’ Thereafter, I adopted a formula, which is to always go to the stadium or watch any football game with a 50-50 frame of mind. You may win, you may lose; and if you lose, don’t lose your life. If you lose the match, don’t lose your head. Anybody who goes to a game with over emotional frame of mind or fanatical, is not doing himself any good – because blood pressure can rise at any point in time. I cannot afford to be over emotional because I’ve done it over. For forty-eight years of my life, I’ve been doing this all across the world, so there is nothing new to me anymore. When we were going to play the final match against Cote d’Ivoire, I called one of my guys and said, ‘I am going to the stadium with a 50-50 frame of mind, we may win, we may lose. So when the match ended and we lost, I was singing with the Ivoirians, because they probably would have attacked us. I knew that having won, they would yell at us to celebrate with them. It’s just a game of football and it’s fun; somebody has to win, somebody has to lose.
Some Nigerians who experienced the tense atmosphere in the stadium during that final match have also said it was better Nigeria lost; that getting out of the stadium with victory could have come with some repercussion. Do you think so?
Yes, it may have happened. Because the stadium gates were opened for free for the Ivoirians, everybody had the opportunity to come. But we had to pay for our tickets. The NFF gave us 150 tickets, and I had over 500 people; so I had to purchase form my members. Unfortunately, when we got to the car park, they asked us trek a distance of about ten kilometres to the stadium. That was the arrangement; and it occurred to me that if we didn’t get to the stadium in time and take our space, we would not be able to gain access. And it happened. All the other people who could not trek and were waiting for shuttle buses couldn’t enter the stadium. I saw thousands of people who came into Cote d’Ivoire to see the match, but they could not enter the stadium, because even those who paid 500 dollars to see a game of 5000 CFA could not even access the stadium. So indeed the tension was there. Every Ivoirian in the stadium was wearing orange, unlike in Nigeria, where when you tell people to come to the stadium in green and white, they would come in Manchester United, Chelsea or Arsenal jersey and the rest. That is no patriotism. Patriotism starts from the belief in your country. Support your country. As a player, if you see the kind of crowd like the Ivoirians gave to their team and their unity and support, you as a player will be moved to make your country proud. Even when we scored them, they were still not perturbed and they came to score two goals to win. And when the game ended, we took it in our stride and celebrated with the winners. There was an occasion in London in 1994, when we went to play England. We entered the stadium with our drums and trumpets, and after they had beaten us 1-0, we were still beating our drums, singing and dancing, so their journalists who were surprised came to us and asked: ‘You have just been beaten, why are you still singing and dancing?’ And I told them, it’s a game of football, somebody has win, somebody has to lose. And if you lose a game, you don’t lose your head. From that stadium, they took me in their vehicle to BBC London to go and educate their English fans on how to support their team without being violent. I had five of such interview before I left England.
There were videos of Nigerian supporters, who on their way back from the stadium after the final match, were being jeered at; did you experience that as well?
I did, but like I told you, I was not angry with them. Rather, I started singing with them; and when they saw that I was singing with them, my men also joined; so they were hugging us rather than fighting us.
You are a global citizen when it comes to football; what would be your best football moment as a supporter?
I will say 1996 in Atlanta. In Atlanta ’96, we played the first round of game with Brazil and lost 1-0; we continued and progressed to meet Brazil again in the semi-final. At a point, Brazil was leading us 3-1; and then I had an inspiration from God to sing a song: ‘He’s a miracle working God, He’s the Alfa and Omega, He’s a miracle working God…’; 25 minutes to the end of the match, we were awarded a penalty and we lost it; and the player was even laughing. But I still had the belief that we would win the match, so I told my people to continue singing. I remember one of my members coming to me to say, ‘Egbon, are you not mad? How can you think we can still win this game even when we’re 3-1 down against Brazil?’ I told him not to worry, and we continued singing. Then we scored the second goal; and that was when the then Sports Minister, Chief Jim Nwobodo left his VIP seat and came to me and said ‘Dr, this song you’re singing; it’s like there is going to be a miracle today o’; I told him to watch and see. Then I changed my song to ‘I have a father who never fails…”; and before we finished that song, an equalising goal came; and then I changed my song to A ya chukwu naga za, … Give it to God, He will help you solve your problem. And it happened that we scored them 4-3 in Extra Time; and they started crying. That was when I did another song: When Nigeria beat Brazil; when Nigeria beat Brazil o, Bebeto start to cry…’. That was one of my best moments in football. And then came the final against Argentina. It went the same way, they were leading 2-1, the same songs were rendered and we beat them 3-2 to claim the gold medal. Nigeria claimed that gold first before any other nation. That is a thing of pride, a bragging right.
Back to the recent; there was this constant chant of Osimhen, as if he was the only one on the pitch; why?
The team was built around him, and having just won the African Footballer of the Year Award, a lot was expected from him. We were doing that to encourage him. Even though he was not scoring the goals, he was putting in his best and running all over the pitch, to the extent that the opponents were chasing him, thereby creating space for the likes of Lookman to score. Don’t forget, he even won two penalties for the team.
You were chairman of the Nigeria Football Supporters Club, and then you became President-General; tell us about the dynamics that got you here.
I didn’t just become the chairman. I was the nation’s flag-bearer for 13 years. Anytime the team was playing and you see a man come out of the tunnel with the Nigerian flag, I was that man. I would go to the dressing room, interact with the players, I would even be the one to tell them when to come to the field. At that time, once you see me come out with the flag, know that the players were coming out. I was very close to them- whether it was the Odegbami’s, the Muda Lawal, Kunle Awesu, Christian Chukwu, even Jay Jay Okocha, Rashidi Yekini; so I rose within the ranks. First I became the Assistant Secretary; then I became the Acting General Secretary, Chairman, Disciplinary Panel; then I was elected chairman in 1990. And that was the time I had the opportunity to register the association. Before then, we were not registered. That is why, officially, I am the founder. I am also the chairman, Board of Trustees. I was also the one that took the Supporters Club to all the states of the federation. I ensured there were branches across the country and all across the world. By 1992, I went to Cote d’Ivoire to launch the Supporters Club there. They have eight chapters there. From there, I moved to Ghana, Burkina Faso, Mali, Gambia, Togo, Republic of Benin… By 1995, I was in the United States of America; and then France, London, England, Holland, Ireland, Italy, Germany, Spain. I went there personally to galvanise Nigerians there and inaugurated chapters of the Nigerian Supporters Club there. Even in China and Australia; so that when we have tournaments in those countries, no matter the number we are able to take from here, we have huge numbers waiting for us there. Even in Trinidad and Tobago.
At a time there was a tussle for leadership. How did you manage that?
Having been chairman for ten years, somebody else who became the national chairman, while I got elevated by election. Because there were already chapters all over the world, there was this new leadership change that required that we have a President-General, who would be like a father figure to all the chapters; and you cannot rise to become President-General, unless you have been a chairman for two terms. It’s in our constitution. Somehow, some people felt that the man has become so popular, some even asked, why President-General? But those who opposed the President-General title then now want to become President-General today.
Many also think that you make a lot of money from these things, which is why you don’t want to leave.
That’s the belief, but the irony is that I became the first national president of the Freight Forwarders and Clearing Agents in Nigeria in 1986; even before I became chairman of the supporters club. So I made my money from the ports. I was the person clearing for all the big companies: Dr. Mike Adenuga’s companies: Devcom Merchant Bank, Equitorial Trust Bank, Globacom; the Dangote Group, Arisekola Group. Because of my position as national president of the clearing association, I was so popular and respected, and I was making money. I was clearing 500, 300, 250 containers, 1000 vehicles for a lot of people. And that was how I made my money. How do you make money from a club where a member pays N500 as monthly due? If we have 1,000 members, the maximum we would make in a year is six million. These are people who travel and I get them huge sums like N100million etc. How do I get the money? Through sponsorship. Because of the connection from my job, I brought people like Adenuga and Globacom into football. In fact we started with DEVCOM Merchant Bank. Incidentally, I also became a director of Equitorial Trust Bank. So my money was not made from football. In fact, you cannot be the leader of the Nigerian Football Supporters Club if you’re not rich. If you’re not rich, you must be influential, to look for money and sponsorship. We went to Cote d’Ivoire; people should ask how we got money to go. No government gave me money. Since we have been running Supporters’ Club, the only government that ever gave me money was Goodluck Jonathan, who gave us N50million when we were to go to Brazil in 2014; and we ended up spending N189million. I sourced for the difference. Of course I tell my members to pay 30 per cent of whatever it will cost them to stay wherever we go; the balance of 70 per cent, I raise from sponsors. Globacom sponsored us for almost 17 years, until they fell out with the NFF. Of course, I have others like Sifax;, they are into maritime, aviation and banking. The chairman is my brother and my friend. I just told him, you will need to sponsor us o. He asked what do we do? I said ‘Give me some money,’ and he gave me some money with which we made t-shirts. That’s why you saw Sifax on some of our t-shirts in Cote d’Ivoire. And people were calling him from all over the world, telling him they saw his company name on the Supporters Club vests on TV. Then he sent his head of corporate department, Muyiwa Akande, to come to Cote d’ Ivoire and meet me after making more t-shirts. He also gave me more money. Also, I was sitting here when I got a call from Nigerian Breweries Plc, Biola Wasiu; he happened to be my junior in secondary school. I am their president-general in the alma mater association. He told me my company will sponsor you. That is goodwill. They also paid for t-shirts. They also paid my national chairman, Rev Sam Ikpea’s air ticket and later my air ticket from Abuja to Cote d’Ivoire.
Indeed you have earned the goodwill serving the nation selflessly all these years. Like the Minister of Sports, Senator John Enoh said the other day, anybody who does not know you does not have any business in sports.
I have taken those words of the minister as something I will use to propagate the name of the Nigerian Football Supporters Club. I thank the minister for saying that and I want him to live up to his words. If he truly meant his words, then he should treat our organisation, The Nigerian Football supporters Club, as such. Yes, there are several supporters’ club today, but how many of them has been able to achieve what we have achieved?
Text: Psalm 30:5 Weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning
The grievousness of what you are passing through in the Chapters 1, 2 or 3 of your life, or in Nigeria as at now, does not matter because it is not over. Weeping of the night time has a short tenure and it shall bow to the joy of your morning. Your Chapter 42 is coming! Like Job, Chapter 42 is your Chapter for restoration. It is the Chapter for restoration of your lost axe head and the realization of your divine purpose. It is the Chapter for your breakthrough and divine replenishment. It is your chapter for double portion, laughter, healing, great testimonies and your chapter for the next level. It is more importantly, the chapter of your “Miracle of Na lie”. When God visits a person with a miracle which is “exceedingly abundantly above all that one is thinking or praying for” (Ephesians 3:20), this is referred to as a “miracle of Na lie”. The Bible is replete with examples of such awesome happenings; and because the power behind such miracles is same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8), you shall experience your dose of such miracles from today, which is the first day in the month of March 2024, in the name of Jesus Christ.
Brethren, our God is still in the business of springing surprises. With Him, all things are possible (Matt. 19:26). When He decides to bless anyone with the miracle of “Na lie”, He suspends protocol. With the Almighty God, there is no road closed or a mission that is impossible. The River Jordan, for instance, which had debarred lots of lives and destinies parted asunder when God instructed Joshua to match on (Joshua 3:15-16); with the Almighty God who has no word like ‘menopause’ in His lexicon, a 90 year old woman menstrated and delivered a baby boy without surgery (Genesis 21:1-5); with Him, there is a solution for issues that Doctors have regarded as hopeless, such as the case of the woman with the issue of blood (Mk. 5:25-29); with Him, a little boy’s breakfast was sufficient to feed 5,000 men not counting women and children with twelve baskets remaining ( Matt. 14:15-20). That same God shall visit your life this month in the name of Jesus.
The Almighty God is the creator of heaven and earth; He is the One that makes a seemingly bad case perfect and “…. by him were all things created, that are in heaven, and that are in earth, visible and invisible, whether they be thrones, or dominions, or principalities, or powers: all things were created by him, and for him: And he is before all things, and by him all things consist” (Col. 1:16-17). When He decides to visit your life, He would give you a testimony of “Na lie” such that people that knew you before will be amazed at the turnaround of your situation; He would take the weeping of the night time away from you and give you an endless morning of joy; He would orchestrate a circumstance that will compel people assigned to lift you up to overlook your hitherto educational gap, to suspend your ‘no experience’ issue, close their eyes to your family background, not to remember that you are younger or older, as it played out with Jephtah the Gileadite in Judges 11:1-8 when people who rejected him previously returned to beg him to be their leader.
What you need to do to benefit of what the Almighty God is doing is doing right now is to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour, surrender your life to Him, pray that Jesus will come into your life and take pre-eminence, ask for the forgiveness of your sins and turn from the ways of sin henceforth. Following that, please don’t be bothered with regards to the things that are happening around you, close your eyes to those things that you have lost because better things are coming your ways, refuse the pain of the sores on your body as you are going to be restored to health, don’t pay attention to the negative comments of people around you for those that have condemned you shall return to celebrate with you, hold on to Jesus Christ who is the author and finisher of your faith, don’t lean on your own understanding and confess to the world all over the place that I know that My Redeemer is alive. I assure you that as the Lord lives, bad times shall pass away and a time of refreshing shall come for you and your loved ones. This is your season of Chapter 42 says the Holy Spirit and He who has ears to hear, let him or her hear what the Holy Spiri is saying to the church.
Prayer: As I march forward in this month of March, Lord let me experience your miracles of Na lie, in Jesus’ name
Text: Psalm 30:5 Weeping may endure for a night but joy comes in the morning.
At what crossroad are you in life? Are you stuck at the junction of not knowing what the future rightly holds? Are you at the boundary of either to retrace your steps, stand in the same position or move forward in life? Are things so difficult with you that you don’t know what to do next? Is the economic situation hitting you badly and you aren’t sure if there is any hope in sight? Does it have to do with your health, education or marriage? Have you lost someone precious to you or does it have to do with your income or source of income? Are things not going the way you desired when 2024 started, and the second month is ending today? Have things turned upside down with you? Are you unhappy because of recent ugly developments? I declare to you, as the Lord lives, that what you are seeing and experiencing today are happenstances of the night time, your morning of rejoicing is here and you are going to testify to the goodness and faithfulness of God.
From the passage of our text, David said that night time is associated with sorrow, agony and weeping. He also said that whosoever is domiciled in darkness is exposed to the issues of weeping. It is sufficient to say that the issues of weeping, sorrow and unhappiness are occasioned by powers and agents of darkness ( Ephesians 612,13) but I have a good news for you: wait for Chapter 42! Chapter 42 is the time of light, it the chapter that ends the reign of darkness. It is the chapter of peace, joy, prosperity and a new beginning. Jesus Christ said in John 8:12 that “I am the light of the world: he that follows me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life”. Hallelujah! As a follow up to that, He said in John 12:46 that “I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believes on me should not abide in darkness”. Jesus Christ said in effect, that: Don’t bother yourself about the issues of life that are associated with the time of darkness, wait for Chapter 42, which is the Chapter of light. When Judas betrayed Jesus Christ, Jesus told him and his accomplices in Luke 22:53 that, “When I was daily with you in the temple, you stretched forth no hands against me: but this is your hour, and the power of darkness”. He was killed the following day and three days later Chapter 42 came, light came, and sorrow was replaced with joy. In Matthew 28:1-3, light shone, angels came down, they rolled away the stone and He arose. Yes, He arose! In Chapter 42, the story changed, weeping was replaced with laughter and sadness gave way to unending joy.
Job was a man who God uploaded with humongous blessings in Chapter 1. He had 7 sons, he was blessed with 3 daughters, he owned 7,000 sheep, 3,000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, 500 donkeys and had a large number of servants working under him. In the book of Job chapter one, the night time came suddenly for him, his life was ravaged by powers of darkness and he was consequently offloaded of all the blessings – everything! In Chapter 2, his health failed him, he was afflicted with painful sores from the crown of his head to the sole of his feet (Job 2:7). He was left with his wife who, out of great anguish, told him to curse God and die. Job refused his wife’s counsel which was borne out of ignorance. The people left with him were his bosom friends – Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar. Eliphaz behaved as a friend in deed. He encouraged him in Chapter 5:1, that “Call now, if there be any that will answer you, and to which of the saints wilt thou turn?” In verses 8-10, he continued that “ But if I were you, I would seek unto God, and unto God would I commit my cause: He does great things and unsearchable; marvellous things without number: He provides rain for the earth, and sends waters upon the fields”. Bildad his second friend followed suit with encouraging words. He told him in Chapter 8:7 that “If your beginning was small, your end shall be great”. Hallelujah! Zophar his third friend too sermonized him about how merciful God is. In Chapter 19 however, Job looked up, he aggregated the views of his friends and he declared that, it surely doesn’t matter what is happening today, I care not what is happening around me, I am not touched by what the powers of darkness have done to me, I know, I know and I know that My Redeemer lives. Hallelujah (Job 19:25). In Chapter 42, a new beginning came and he was restored double.
Dear beloved, have hope in Jesus Christ, during this Lenten season, your tough times have expiry dates, God is going to come through for you and things are going to change for your good in the name of Jesus.
Prayer: Father, put an end to this night time, restore all that I have lost and give me a new beginning, in Jesus’ name
Text:”….. I will restore to you the years that the locust hath eaten…….” (Joel 2:25)
I have been divinely permitted to announce that heaven shall fully restore all that have either been stolen, destroyed, denied or killed to you. This is your season for full restoration! It therefore matters less what Nigeria is passing through now, with regards to the economy and security, there shall be a restoration of good things to the country. The Scripture says, that, “there is hope for a tree: if it be cut down, it will sprout again, and its new shoots will not fail. It’s roots may grow old in the ground and it’s stump die in the soil, yet at the scent of water it will bud and put forth shoots like a plant.” There is hope for Nigeria! Restoration takes a process which God has kickstarted. The ‘spiritual axe’ has been laid unto the root of all unprofitable trees that have not brought not forth good fruit, they shall be hewn down and shall be cast into the fire (Matthew 3:10). A time of restoration is a time for endless laughter, joy, peace and prosperity – it is transition from sickness to health, austerity to prosperity, valley to the top of a mountain, joblessness to employment, seemingly unending family squabbles to everlasting peace and bliss, a bad life to a good life, a movement from a house to a home and an unsafe society to a peaceful environment. The Psalmist said in Psalms 126:1 that, “When the Lord turned again the captivity of Zion (restoration), we were like them that dream”.
God is not giving to frivolities; He is not like men of this world that will make promises when soliciting for support and give excuses when the time for indemnification is nigh. “…. The Strength of Israel will not lie nor repent: for He is not a man, that He should repent” (1 Samuel 15:29). Therefore, whatever He said, He has the capacity to fulfill because “…. the earth is the Lord’s, and the fullness thereof”(1Corinthians 10:26; Psalms 50:10-11; Roomans 11:36)- He can suspend the laws of nature, reverse order, put logic to shame and make “… foolish the wisdom of this world” (1Cor. 1:20). It consequently does not matter what you may be passing through now, as the LORD lives, and according to His word, it shall end well, and it shall end in celebrations. This is your season of restoration! Weeping may endure for a night, according to David, but joy unstoppable shall come in the morning (Psalm 30:5b). This is your morning of joy!
God promised in our text that there is hope for restoration for every issues of personal life, economy, matrimony or nation. Restoration makes an outcast a celebrity! Naaman, once a Commander of the Syrian army, was afflicted with leprosy and ought to have been confined to the colony of lepers but when he had an encounter with the Restorer, his lost years were restored. He left Syria as a leper but he returned with the skin of a new born baby (2 Kings 5:1-14).
Restoration brings back latent capabilities! There was a man named Jabez because he was conceived under a terrible situation. God created him with honour that surpassed the endowments of his brethren, he had the destiny of a leader but experienced the jaundiced life of a nobody. When Jabez identified this error, he cried to God and was restored (2 Chronicles 4:9-10). Gideon too had this same fate. God created him as a mighty man of valour but untoward circumstances of life reduced him to a lilliputan – instead of leading God’s army against the ‘Boko Harams’ from Midian, he was hiding his wheat from them until God found him out and restored him (Judges 6:11-12).
The devil’s assignment in this world is to kill destinies and turn the journey of days into years, steal the joy and peace of homes and marriages, destroy the family unit, frustrate bonds of love in churches and fragment national cohesion by reverberating delimiting sectional cum political cleavages (John 10:10). Now that the devil is aware that he has but a limited time, he is more committed to his destructive agenda more than ever before (Revelation 12:12). The devil’s onslaught is launched in the affairs of men and polity when men are spiritually asleep (Matthew 13:25); that is, when spiritual things matter less, when vain glory of life are lifted high and celebrated, when love of/for money is placed above selfless service to humanity, when aspirants to political offices discountenance God’s plans for “getting there at any cost”, when people abhor the light, which is Jesus Christ, and cling more to darkness and its works (John 3:19).
Brethren, it doesn’t matter how grave your situation is, there is hope for you. Are you an economic or social outcast like Naaman? Have you been rejected by your family members like Gideon? You are not hopeless. The power that restored their lost years is still available today; is it that what is in your plate is far less than what you are truly worth? All is not lost as the power that restores is same yesterday, today and forever (Hebrews 13:8 cf Job 14:7-9). What you need to do, is to return to God through our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the scent of water, during this Lenten season, He will accept you like the Prodigal Son and restore all the grounds that you have lost (Luke 15:11-24;John 6:37). He is a loving father. He is concerned about your state and all that you are passing through now, more than your parents or anyone else (Isaiah 49:15-16). He will do “exceeding abundantly above all you may ask or think” (Ephesians 3:20).
•Prayer: Father, pay my life a visit today, wash me clean of my sins and restore unto me the joy of my salvation, in Jesus’ name.
The wife of the General Overseer of the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor (Mrs.) Folu Adeboye has challenged Nigerians to take personal responsibility for the rebuilding of the ruins of the country.
Adeboye spoke yesterday at the 10th Pastor E. A Adeboye Annual Birthday Public Lecture held at the Youth Centre RCCG, Redemption City of God, Ogun State.
Speaking on the theme of the lecture tagged: ‘Rebuild, Renew, Restore: The need of the Nigeria Nation,’ Mrs. Adeboye said the country needs men and women who will be intentional within their sphere of influence in rebuilding the ruins of Nigeria, noting that the parlous state of the economy requires collective actions from all and sundry.
Citing some biblical verses, she urged the citizens to emulate the likes of Nehemiah and Esther, who according to her stood up when it matters most for the rebuilding of their county.
While decrying the Japa syndrome by the youths who are seeking greener pastures outside the shores of the country, she said, said “Nigeria is home, you still have the green pasture with you anywhere you go, more so, Nigerians were once sent back from a particular country.
“In our homes, churches, schools, colleges, and various public places, we need to show a sign of rebuilding. Let up uphold the values of righteousness, purity, genuine love, patriotism and shine as light in our little corners,” she stressed.
The cleric further implores public office holders to be good stewards in the discharge of their responsibilities because they will one day give account to God.
“People’s blood will be required out of your hands. You have a responsibility to lead well and shun all forms of selfishness, corruption, and attitudes that could further ruin our beloved country,” she said.
Speaking earlier in a keynote address, former Minister of Education, Dr Oby Ezekwesili said that the abysmal state of affairs of the country requires the courageous acts of the political class to care about delivering good governance to the people.
She noted that the critical nation formations which should now be well negotiated through the citizens’ emergency rescue plan for Nigeria is urgent.
“Rescue plan for Nigeria are in two blocks which are the people with a new set of values, a rallying vision of the people of Nigeria, an agreed common identity which everyone respects and values and a public leadership recruitment system for high quality of leadership decision.
“The second block which is restructuring include: institution building agenda, a new constitution adopted through a yes or no referendum on its provisions and a transparent and credible electoral system that deepens our democracy, efficiently conducts elections so that it regulates and penalise poor public leadership delivery by politicians to citizens by their power to vote,” she said.
Earlier, the Convener of the prorgamme, Pastor Elder Tunji Onileaja said that the public lecture was meant to open our eyes to see the need to rebuild, renew and restore the lost glory of our fatherland.
Walking with God for 52 years comes with its ups and down, but oftentimes, this is rewarding, The National Vice President of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria, (South West), Archbishop Alagbala John Osa-Oni shared with journalists, his 52 years of serving the Lord, challenges, lessons learned, and place of the church in revamping Nigeria. ADEOLA OGUNLADE reports
How would you describe your walking with God in the last 52 years?
It has been with serious pain, stress, and serious beating. There were times when we were going on evangelism that we received some lashes of cane, and until they saw the Bible fall off our hands, they thought we were chasing their daughters.
It is part of it; some of those lashes were for the Lord. It has been successful, nothing else would have been better than what God has made me to be, not what I studied in school.
Walking with the Lord is the key and not working for him, Gen 17, God told Abraham to walk with Him and not work for Him. When you work for Him, you have a demand. I never asked God for one car or anything, but just walking with Him, He does what he pleases with my life. It has been awesome walking with him.
What were the challenges you faced walking with the Lord?
I started walking with the Lord in February 1972. I was beaten in Benin City. I started with the Church of God Mission. I was one of the young men feisty for evangelism. You can ask Rev Joseph Eribo, Evangelist Ojo, who can tell how fierce I was. The day I gave my life to Christ was the day I started preaching and that same day I won 12 souls to the Lord.
It became unbearable for my parents. In 1974, they sent me out of the home past midnight. My father was one of the assistant Chief Priests in my community. He did not know what he did, he did them in ignorance and I have not taken that against him. I love them.
A few years ago, I went back to the house he built which was dilapidated, I rebuilt it and increased the room. I took care of him. I brought them to Lagos with my mummy before she died, to enjoy life.
Sometimes, he will go on his knees begging to show appreciation for what God has done in my life. Going through Secondary and tertiary education was tough. But God has always raised helpers at different points in my life. I once attended Deeper Life Bible Church. It was not a church, but the communion among us was remarkable. You can go to a brother’s house unhindered, and eat their food, and it does not matter what you see in their rooms when they are not around, you eat and drop the key. Then, we were close, ate together, and trusted one another. The Christian faith then was fantastic. I still pray for the old-time believing faith. Many are in faith today because of what they want to get. We were not in faith for anything but in faith, because we wanted to serve God that was why we could clean the floor and do anything, expecting nothing. Today, cleaners in the church are paid. It was different from what we met in 1972 as SU as we were called those days; a whole lot of things have changed.
What is responsible for the shift from the old-time religion?
It is worldliness. We were not thinking about what to eat those days. We just walked with God and what we wanted to eat would just show forth. We were not looking for anything. Thank God for the person I related with from 1986 to 1989, he influenced me so much and remains my father forever.
The Ministry taught me not to trust anybody, especially the senior ministers, even co-ministers. Serve God with your life and don’t trust anybody. The people you are looking up to are trying to destroy you. You need to focus on Jesus. Hebrew 12: 2, says: “Looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith.” Paul said follow me as I follow Christ. Paul became a role model; Archbishop Idahosa became a role model that I can follow. I can’t find his type in this world. I do pray to meet up with those standards. He beat me, he slapped me. I was not working even when Vineyard started. Archbishop Idahosa remains my spiritual father and mentor for life. One year ArchBishop went to preach in Bethel in Ajah, and he asked me to follow him. By then, God had helped me, and I was now in a seven-bedroom apartment in Ilasa, Lagos. Archbishop got to the house at about 9:30 pm and he said is this your house? I said that I leased it for 15 years. He then said, “You leased a house for 15 years? You can’t do that, you are not a bastard, you don’t do that.” He said that I should come close, he then hit me and asked how much I leased the house and I told him and he said that the money could buy me a house.
He refused to enter the house, and the next day, he told me to come and see him and he said that there was a plot behind him and he would give me the house. I told him that I was a Lagos boy. I could not build on one plot. He thereafter called an Elder to take me to Omo Onile where I was given two plots, very close to Bishop Idahosa’s house.
Surprisingly, the two plots were fake, I gave the money to the contact person who was an elder in the Assemblies of God, and the rest is history.
Later, I was taken to the family of Bashiru, who later became the King of Oworosonki, where I was given the plot of where my house is today.
I invited the Archbishop to dedicate our former headquarters in Mushin which was about the most beautiful building in the area. When he came, as he was about to cut the tape, he told me God said it was not the place. God told him there was a bigger place.
Many of the pastors’ children are not involved in ministry because they see the work as stressful and their fathers are not always available…
We must carry our children along. We did morning devotion together, we prayed together, and I even made them lead the morning devotion, even family meetings. When we disagree, we bring it to the floor of the house and decisions are made and we laugh over it.
Do you have a succession plan?
I have been praying. In 2020, I was almost handing over to one of my bishops who had been faithful to me since he joined the ministry in 1991. After he finished his youth service, and I posted him to River State, suddenly, he came back and said that God told him to leave.
I had told his colleagues that by January 2021, I wanted to step aside so that he could move the ministry to the next level.
My children can work in the ministry if they are interested, but if God does not say that they will be the leader, they will not be the leader. Right now, I’m going through the pain in ministry, they are leaving their lives. So, for me, we have a constitution, the next person to me in Vineyard is Bishop Betrice Rapu from Asaba, Delta State, and the next person to him is a Yoruba bishop and other senior pastors within the system. For me, it is about capacity, and I’m trusting God to hand it over to someone below 50 years who will have the grace of longevity and can push the work to the next level. For me, I will not die on this seat, God will send someone. For me, if I find the right person today, I will step aside.
Getting your new headquarters church came with so many struggles, can you shed more light on it?
This place has a lot of stories. The war I went to with the civil servants was unbearable, Sometimes, I got a letter to move my structure from here within the next 48 hours. It was an uphill task. When Asiwaju Bola Tinubu was governor, Jide Omoworare who was a Senator with Architect Bayo Anibaba, a commissioner went to meet Tinubu and told him what I was going through. President Tinubu, who was then the governor of the state went on a live broadcast on the Lagos State television, and the state radio station that the land by Aswani Market belonged to Archbishop Osa-Oni and Vineyard, and the harassment by civil servants stopped. In two months, he gave me my C of O and I got the approvals for the building and I paid all the money. The blood pressure Asiwaju took out of my life made me stand for him any day and anytime, no matter what people say, I stand with him. There is no Christian leader to fight for you, you fight for yourself.
Can you still stand for him today amid the challenges Nigerians are going through,
Yes, he is not the cause of the current situation. The truth must be told. The Southerners need to respect a Southerner when a Southerner is the President. What is happening to Asiwaju did not start with him, it started with Obasanjo, the Southerners who fought him.
When Yar’Adua became the President, the tempo ceased. When Jonathan became President, the war began. It is the Southerners that do not want a Southerner to become the President of this country. The truth must be told. Jonathan went through hell.
They should give Tinubu a chance; he is just seven months old. I believe that God will use him to restore Nigeria. He said that he is coming to repair Nigeria. He saw that things had been bad. After the Supreme Court, I expected that all Nigerians would work together to rebuild Nigeria.
Do not make the nation ungovernable for him. It is our country. I am not a citizen of another country, but Nigeria. All the presidential candidates agree to the removal of subsidies. Let’s be patient, there is indeed hunger in the land. Nigerians are resilient. We should not allow politicians, whose children are not in the country to instigate them to put laws into their hands.
What then is the role of the church at this time?
The church did not 100 percent stand with Asiwaju. The church must come to a point to stand with him. The church played a game, and Asiwaju was magnanimous enough to put Christians in good positions. The Bible says that we should pray for those in authority. I cannot speak ill of those in authority. Sanwo-Olu is our governor, I can’t speak ill of him but pray for him. The body of Christ owes the present government prayers. We can’t stop praying, even when the resources are in our hands. We can’t stop praying.
At a time disposable income is shrinking fast, consumers are more than desirous of culinary seasonings with offerings that offer quality at cheaper and economic packs.
Terra seasoning cubes, now a household name in the Nigerian market, offers just that and more with its super saver pack with enhanced quality, taste, and affordability converging to redefine your shopping experience. The new packs deliver the same premium quality and delightful taste you expect in a more convenient and cost-effective package.
With the Saver and Super Saver packs, gone are the days of frequent market visits to settle for small, individual packets. Instead, embrace the freedom, affordability, and convenience of purchasing required quantities at once.
Available in Chicken and Beef variants, containing 50cubes in a pack, while Super Saver pack is available in Chicken variant, containing 100cubes in a pack, is one item that would be a must-have in most kitchen lists.
Deepanjan Roy, Group Executive Director – TGI says the success of the Saver and Super Saver pack sizes is a result of the company’s resolve to put the interests of consumers first by seeking ways to continually excite and add value to their lives.
“We believe in going above and beyond to understand the needs and preferences of our consumers and the Saver and Super Saver packs are a testament to this commitment. These packs offer not only unparalleled convenience and value along with the assurance of premium quality and delightful taste,” he stated.
Probal Bhattacharya, Chief Marketing Officer, TGI Group, expressed delight with the brand’s latest innovation; the Saver and Super Saver packs. With these packaging options, Terra Cubes is setting a new standard in value within the seasoning market.
“The Super Saver & Saver packs were born out of our understanding of our consumers, their need for a more convenient pack with the adequate quantity that seamlessly fits into their consumption and planned purchase behaviour. These new offerings have been designed for consumers who want the right quantity of their favorite seasoning cube, Terra, in a pack size that balances convenience with superior value for money,” he said.
In the bustling kitchens of homes across Nigeria, something magical is happening.
Amidst the sizzle of pans and the aroma of spices, families are coming together in a celebration of love, nourishment, and togetherness. Golden Terra Soya Oil’s “Pour Pure Love” campaign has captured the hearts and taste buds of consumers nationwide.
For Alhassan Sule, an engineer, watching the ad repeatedly reminds him of a time long gone, yet still etched vividly in his memory. As he watches the scene unfold on screen—a mother stirring a pot of soup, the aroma filling the kitchen—he can’t help but be transported back to his own childhood home.
Suddenly, he was a young boy again, sitting at the kitchen table, watching his mother cook with the same love and care.
He could almost taste the flavors of her cooking, and feel the warmth of her embrace as she served him a bowl of steaming hot soup.
But it wasn’t just the sights and smells that brought tears to his eyes; it was the flood of emotions that accompanied them—the love, the warmth, the sense of belonging. In that moment, he realized how much those simple meals had meant to him, how they had formed the foundation of his most treasured memories.
As the ad came to an end, he finds himself smiling through his tears, grateful for the reminder of the love that had always been there, even in the simplest of moments. And as he reached for a bottle of Golden Terra Oil at the supermarket, he did so not just as a consumer, but as someone who had been touched by the power of nostalgia and the enduring bond of family.
The “Pour Pure Love” campaign emphasises the importance of creating an emotional connection with consumers by offering meaningful connections in addition to high-quality products.
Probal Bhattacharya, Chief Marketing Officer, TGI Group stated that the outpouring of positive reviews and engagement from consumers for the “Pour Pure Love” campaign underscores the enduring connection between Golden Terra Soya Oil and the moments of motherly love and care shared around the dining table.
“Our goal is to be more than just a product on the shelf – we strive to be a trusted companion, a source of inspiration, and a symbol of warmth and love. With the Pour Pure Love campaign, Golden Terra Oil pays tribute to all the world’s Moms for the warm tasty meals that fill our hearts and our souls with all the love that they pour selflessly into our lives.”
