The Founder of The Mantle Prayer Ministry, Prophet Isaac Olaomo has called on the Church to rise and save the youths both in the Church and in the nation who are subtly and desperately being lured into the quagmire of worldliness with nothing to offer them but separation from God and bleak future with unfulfilled destiny.
Olaomo made the call at the 12th anniversary and thanksgiving service of the ministry themed ‘Covenant of Rest’ which took place at ministry Prayer Mountain, Sagamu, Ogun State.
Olaomo said the Church should create a strategy that would dissuade the youths from falling into the allurement of the world and it should be prayerfully and carefully done in a way that they would be able to imbibe.
He noted that the advantage for the Church is that the latter would be waxing strong and find it easy to fulfill her mandate while for the nation; it would be filled with righteousness and favour of God.
“Looking back into this 12-year journey, I see God’s faithfulness, true love from devoted servants of God, and unexplainable commitment of lovely children both spiritual and biological.
“The journey in the wilderness has proved the unfailing promises of God with proof of radical transformation of sinners into saints, singles in the pit of desolation given blissful homes, barrenness terminated and lots of nobody becoming somebody, ministers and ministries raised and hell depopulated to the glory of God.
He called on Nigerians to believe in hope against hope as he lamented on the unfavourable structure of Nigeria, with governors finishing their terms and becoming senators and recommended that lawmakers should serve on a part-time basis as the wealth of this nation is only being used to service a few sets of people in Nigeria.
He reiterated that the country would not be able to move forward as long as the present structure subsists.
Christ Healing Evangelical Church (CHEC) has concluded plans to hold its 2024 Biennial, International Convention at Its Convention Ground, opposite RCCG camp ground, Lagos- Ibadan Expressway Ogun State.
The event will be held between the 14th to 18th of February. The theme of the convention is ‘Ripe for Harvest.’
Expected to minister at the event are renowned gospel artiste, Bukola Bekes, the General Overseer Worldwide, (CHEC) Pastor Samuel Babatunde Ogunfowokan, accompanied by his wife, Pastor Mrs. Wunmi Ogunfowokan.
Other ministers expected at the event are CHEC pastors and Regional Overseer from Europe, The USA, and its districts including Pastor and Pastor Mrs. Talabi, Pastor Felekulo, Pastor and Pastor Mrs. Michael Ogo Bamidele from Ireland, Pastor Mrs. Wunmi Ogunfowokan, the general overseer’s wife, Mother in Israel Lady Evangelist B A Bamidele, Brother Sam Are from CAPRO ministries
On the 17th of February, Saturday there would be a checkup for pregnant women at the same Venue.
We are just a few days away from Valentine’s Day. Usually, a time when lovers, family, and friends express their affection with greetings and gifts.
Interestingly, Valentine’s Day did not come to be celebrated as a day of romance until about the 14th century. Although there were several Christian martyrs named Valentine, the day may have taken its name from a priest who was martyred about 270 CE by the emperor ClaudiusII Gothicus.
Formal messages, or valentines, appeared in the 1500s, and by the late 1700s, commercially printed cards were being used. The first commercial valentines in the United States were printed in the mid-1800s. Valentines commonly depict Cupid the Roman god of love, along with hearts, traditionally the seat of emotion.
The celebration has expanded to expressions of affection among relatives and friends. Many, especially the young are excited by the euphoria created.
AMANDA Luke, a student of the Federal Polytechnic, ilaro in Ogun state is super excited. She takes you into her world and her expectations this year. “ As a student, Valentine’s Day can be a fun and special time, but it can also bring up some mixed feelings too. For some students or anybody it continues to be a great day to celebrate love and friendship with peers, friends, and family”.
Amanda continues: “ Conversely, it can also be a time to feel left out or alone if you don’t have a romantic partner. Some students or a person may also feel pressure to spend money on gifts or go out to expensive restaurants, which can be stressful if they are on a tight budget. Overall, I strongly believe that it should be a day that can bring up a variety of emotions for students, families, friends, couples, etc depending on their circumstances”.
Ogunmoyede Isaac is based in Ilaro and he tells you that being a weekday, it will be a very busy day but he has lined up some activities to make the day memorable. “I will be in school receiving lectures and going to classes, but I will send love to my loved ones. It could be a text message or a call”.
Isaac adds: “Valentine’s Day is all about love for one another so let’s spread love not hate. I would like to spend the day hanging out with my guys, chilling, talking about similar interests, and having fun.
Ajayi Akinsola Martins is also looking forward to celebrating the day in style. You want to know the type of gifts he is expecting and he responds this way: “Memories and laughter first then any other kind of gift can come on”.
He added: “I feel that Valentine’s is a day where we celebrate life and love. It is very important to be constantly happy with the people around you. It is also another opportunity to give ourselves reasons to let go of grudges and make a new beginning based on genuine love towards the people around you”.
Like Martins, Samuel Akinde advises that spreading love is a way of creating a peaceful and loving environment that is infectious. “I have always wanted to spend Valentine’s Day with my entire family, the whole extended family, it has never happened though, but I hope one day it will”.
Samuel takes you happily into his world :
“It’s for lovers and maybe friends . Personally, I just want to go somewhere special with my girlfriend I don’t expect gifts but a wristwatch would be cool”.
For Akinode Temiloluwa Abosede, the day has come to stay and has a way of impacting lives and creating business opportunities for many. “Valentine’s Day for me is a special day for people with similar interests. Here, you are expected to express their deepest feelings and appreciation through the use of love messages via cards/letters, flower bouquets, gifts, and other forms of intimate expression”.
He continued: “I am super excited. I just want to show appreciation to those who loved me in the past few months. This includes my lover by showing affection and melting my heart. It’s been awesome and my life has been great thanks to their presence”.
On her part, Busari Oluwafeyifunmi Victor, a Computer Science student at the Bells University of Technology should be an opportunity to embrace self-love. “There is so much to look out for this year. I think it is a celebration of affection, a day to spread love and kindness. Amidst the hustle of priorities and the solo journey I am on right now, I have decided to embrace self-love”.
She adds that it is a day for her to indulge in a bit of pampering and self-care, a reminder that love starts within. As for gifts, the sentiment is what truly matters. It’s the thoughtfulness behind the gesture that speaks volumes, and I cherish that wholeheartedly no matter the size.
It’s a day to celebrate love and show appreciation to your special someone”, says Olawunmi Quawiat Boluwatife. “Some people exchange gifts, go on romantic dates, or simply spend quality time together. It’s a great opportunity to express your feelings and make your loved ones feel special. To be very honest I have no plans. Well, If there is any anonymous man that wants to bless me with gifts kindly get me perfumes, I love perfumes or any dress in black”.
It is a brand-new year and fashionistas and designers are setting new agenda for creative outfits and accessories. To usher in new trends, especially for the Valentine’s season, L’apparella has unveiled a collection titled Heritage Fusion.
This blends traditional African aesthetics with modern luxury, offering sophisticated attire for the contemporary African man and stylish woman. Each piece embodies elegance, creativity, and individuality, reflecting the wearer’s refined taste and cultural pride.
Abdul Ademola, a highly creative individual is the brain behind the collection. Happily, he takes you into his world. “I studied Business Management at Olabisi Onabanjo University and with First Class Honor. I grew up creatively challenged by my father who is an interior decorator, a highly skilled one. I am a self-taught designer but got guidance and support from my younger sister who is a fashion designer as well as inspiration from my elder sister who was a fashion enthusiast as well”.
He stepped into the fashion sphere out of necessity due to the challenges encountered in meeting his personal fashion needs. “I built on the solutions I proffered to my situation, which marked the birth of the brand L’apparella.”
Scrolling down memory lane, he tells you that he has been in the business for almost a decade officially. “I started fashion while in the University where I made outfits for my colleagues after they saw what I made for myself and that’s how we got going”.
The collection draws inspiration from the rich cultural heritage of Africa, celebrating its diverse traditions, vibrant colors, and intricate patterns. It also reflects a vision of modernity, influenced by global fashion trends and the evolving lifestyle of the upper class.”
The desire to showcase Africa’s beauty and sophistication on a global stage motivates every design, infusing each garment with a sense of pride and heritage. “My specialization lies in creating meticulously crafted garments that seamlessly blend traditional African elements with contemporary luxury aesthetics. I focus on tailoring, fabric selection, and attention to detail to ensure each piece exudes sophistication, class, and exclusivity”.
He continued: “My designs are renowned for their innovative use of textures, embellishments, and silhouettes, setting them apart in high fashion”.
Looking ahead, the designer adds: “My goal is to further establish Signatures by L’apparella as a premier luxury fashion brand recognized globally for its fusion of African heritage and modern elegance. I plan to expand our presence in key markets, collaborate with other creatives to explore new design avenues, and continue pushing boundaries to redefine luxury fashion for the modern African elite.”
The overall goal would therefore be to leverage technology and sustainability practices to ensure our brand remains relevant and socially responsible in an ever-changing industry landscape”.
Olushola Ojo studied Accounting at Lagos State University. She is the Founder and Creative Director of Lacreame Mua n Krafts and Lacreame Couture known for creative Aso-oke designs for casual wedding gowns, Bridal dresses, and Bespoke outfits. In this encounter with Adeola Ogunlade, she talked about her business, challenges, and triumph in her desire to promote African culture through Aso-Oke.
CAN you tell us what inspired you at the beginning?
I started as a makeup artist and I usually make traditional beads (ileke) and all kinds of beads. I usually dress up brides on their wedding day, for photo shoots, and at that point, I had not started doing Aso-oke.
However, the Aso-oke stood out for me whenever I style brides. After doing the makeup, I tie the headgear and after they have put on their complete traditional outfit there’s a way they look, like queens, like Royalty in a uniquely styled Aso-oke. This was when I started loving it, but I was not able to make it then I was determined that someday I would love to make full Aso oke outfits for Brides.
What has been your experience in breaking boundaries?
In the olden days, the making of the aso-oke was usually done by older people especially the weaving aspect, which was usually transferred from generation to generation. In a family, a father can be a weaver and then transfer the skill to their children. The business of making aso-oke was done within a family where the father, mother, and children would work together because it’s not something one person can do all by themselves. But now, we can see people of all ages, with this passion, making and producing Aso-oke fabrics in different colors and styles.
When I started making Aso-oke, it was not so common in 2015, but I had loved Aso-oke even before then. At that time, Aso-oke was not worn by everybody, it was worn only by brides, older people, royal families, and others. My passion for the fashion business was borne out of my love for the attire and how different categories of people wore it for different occasions.
What are some of your achievements and challenges?
My first customer was a friend who I did makeup and beads for on her wedding day.
I was already learning and getting familiar with the business and designing of Aso-oke so I informed her that I could do Aso-oke too. I did not have any pictures to prove my skills in Aso-oke but she trusted me and I delivered. She trusted me, sent me her design and she loved the outcome.
She was the first customer ever to buy Aso-oke from me and that was how my journey started in the line of Fashion and Aso-oke Design. So from there, I started getting referrals, telling people and I of course went for training. I did collaborative shoots with Makeup Artists, Photographers, Bead makers, and Stylists in the fashion industry to showcase my work more.
I have had Brides/customers from the UK, USA, Canada, and Dubai over the years who have trusted and referred my brand to other friends too. I’ve had Customers from outside Lagos, daughters of Obas and Baales too as a result of some of my previous works that they saw hence I believe that is a major achievement.
There was a particular Bride from Benue state who traveled from the USA to have her wedding in Nigeria, she contacted me to handle all of her outfits, her bridesmaids, and even her husband’s outfit.
What are some of the challenges encountered?
One of the challenges may be economic factors like Inflation and price deregulation. Another challenge is working with brides or customers who do not know the worth of the Aso Oke being used and expect us to sell at the same rate as the Lagos Island market.
Can you share with us your impetus for a successful career?
There’s this feeling that comes with the completion and delivery of a Job. The way you feel knowing your Bride loves her outfit, and the positive feedback from her, the groom, family, and even friends is a major motivation.
The fact that I know I am meeting a need or solving a problem and putting smiles on people’s faces is a major motivation.
Would you say that the Aso-Oke is becoming unfashionable to the younger generation?
I beg to differ. Aso-oke is not becoming unfashionable to the younger generation, instead, Aso-oke has come to stay. If we look around, designers have used their creative prowess to change the narrative. We now use Aso Oke to make jackets, trousers, skirts, dresses, kiddies outfits, shoes, bags, purses, and even a wedding dress. It is now used by both old and young people, male and female, and also people of different tribes. This is why you see a lot of designers now learning how to sew and design Aso Oke unlike before when you could only get a few designers in this area.
How do we sustain our culture in producing attires that reflect African culture?
I am aware that China’s investment in the production of traditional attires is causing a threat to indigenous fashion designers. The type of Aso Oke China produces can never be compared to what Nigeria produces because this is a product of our culture. It is locally woven. We are the originators of Aso-oke so China cannot produce exactly what we do. Based on comparison, Nigerians still prefer the quality of what is made locally to what China imports.
I think that the minister or the body in charge of Art and culture or fashion should put some form of regulations to stop the importation of China Asooke.
What do you look out for to make a difference?
At LaCreame Mua N Krafts we envision our brides and customers to walk and live like royalty after putting on our outfits. We instill in our customers the ideology to see themselves as royalty.
How do you balance home and work?
Structure, I put structure in place. I cannot and do not do everything by myself. Sometimes someone is handling social media inquiries, WhatsApp chats, deliveries, and the rest but I try to source my fabric myself to get original and authentic fabric for my customers. Putting structure in place helps so that when I am not around work can still be done and I can focus on taking care of my family.
Do you do charity work, how and what are some of your success stories?
When it comes to charity work, I have a flair for single mothers and young ladies abandoned with kids at a very early age. The first thing I do is try to get them employed because most of them are usually disregarded, economically stranded, and burdened with responsibilities.
Most of my staff are single mothers because I know that once they are empowered or employed then they can take care of their basic needs. I organized free training for some of them in fashion and sometimes I sponsor their training in other fields for those not interested in fashion. Some of them have learned Soap making and hair styling, while others want to go back to school.
If I am not employing them or training them then I could be putting out a word with my friends or acquaintances concerning a job vacancy on their behalf.
In our ever-growing world where the confluence of innovation, deep technical expertise, and leadership is a rarity, James Arukhe emerges as a quintessential figure, leaving an indelible mark on the global oil and gas industry.
His journey from academia to the zenith of the global oil and gas industry is a testament to the boundless possibilities that arise when a profound understanding of engineering melds with an insatiable quest for innovation.
As a Petroleum Engineering Specialist at Aramco, a Distinguished Lecturer for SPE 2020-21, and a prolific inventor with a rich portfolio of patents filed at the US Patent Office, Arukhe has propelled himself to the forefront of the industry. His illustrious career, spanning over two decades, is adorned with a multitude of patents that reflect his innovative spirit and forward-thinking prowess that advance the field of petroleum engineering.
Notably, Arukhe achieved the highest GPA and had the honor of winning an individual Hackathon at the University of Texas at Austin’s Post Graduate Program (PGP) in Data Science and Business Analytics in November 2022. This early distinction set another stage in a career characterized by groundbreaking contributions to petroleum engineering.
Ranging from optimizing downhole inflow control valves to devising methods for chemically reviving dead wells, Arukhe’s inventions embody his relentless pursuit of operational excellence and sustainability in the oil and gas sector. These patents are not mere attestations of his technical acumen but are significant contributions to enhancing operational efficiencies, safety, and predictive maintenance in the industry.
Arukhe’s professional journey started in the heart of Nigeria, gradually unfurling across the globe with pivotal roles in behemoths like Saudi Aramco, Shell, Chevron, Exxon Mobil, and Petro-Canada. His international sojourns in Saudi Arabia, the UK, Canada, and Nigeria have not only honed his expertise but have also imbued him with a global perspective, across diverse cultural and operational landscapes, invaluable in today’s interconnected world.
His role as a Petroleum Engineering Specialist at Saudi Aramco epitomizes his adeptness in production optimization, steering several field development projects to fruition, and leading projects that surpassed production targets.
Arukhe’s tenure saw the genesis and successful implementation of untraditional yet pragmatic solutions in Production and Operations, a hallmark of his innovative approach.
His commitment to knowledge dissemination is as profound as his passion for innovation. His stint as a Distinguished Lecturer for SPE 2020-21 and an adjunct faculty at Baker College underscores his endeavor to foster a culture of continuous learning and knowledge exchange in the industry. His academic laurels, including an MBA, MSc, and Ph.D., form the bedrock of his deep-seated understanding of the complex interplay between engineering principles, management strategies, and innovative thinking.
Moreover, Arukhe’s admission into the Delta Mu Delta Business Honor Society in 2013, graduating summa cum laude and being named Valedictorian at the 2015 University of Phoenix Commencement Ceremony in Yuma, Arizona, highlights his exceptional academic and leadership skills.
As the founder of the Petroleum & Chemical Engineering Education Society (PCEES), Arukhe has created a platform for nurturing the next generation of engineers and innovators. His social and global responsibility initiatives, underscored by his extensive volunteer work with United Way and Rotary International, resonate with his belief in giving back to the community.
Arukhe’s contributions have not gone unrecognized, with multiple Saudi Aramco Senior Vice President Awards to his name. These accolades, in addition to his academic and professional achievements, underline a career dedicated to innovation, leadership, and the advancement of the oil and gas industry.
In 2022 and 2023, he received the Saudi Aramco Senior Vice President Awards, standing out each time among 350 entries at the prestigious corporate events. As his story continues to unfold, each chapter adds a new dimension to his legacy of innovation, leadership, and an unwavering commitment to fostering a sustainable future for the oil and gas industry.
James Arukhe’s story is more than a series of achievements; it is a narrative of unwavering dedication to pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the oil and gas industry. His legacy is not just in the patents he holds or the awards he has won, but in the knowledge, he has shared, the professionals he has inspired, and the sustainable future he is helping to build.
Says: Nigeria is beautiful; I want to be Nigerian so bad
Why I’m facilitating hospital from Mount Sinai New York
Trinidad and Tobago by birth, American by migration and ‘Nigerian’ by marriage, Chief Helen Ajetumobi Oyesanya would actually pass for a Nigerian in any crowd, especially with her dressing. In this interview with Gboyega Alaka, she talks about her marriage to her Nigerian babalawo husband, her love for Nigeria and why she is facilitating a world class hospital to Nigeria.
You’re American married to a Nigerian, a Yoruba; and you’ve also shown so much love for Nigeria. Tell us about your plan to bring a world class health facility to Nigeria.
My name is Olori Helen Ajetumobi Oyesanya. I am an American married to a Nigerian, Fakunle Oyesanya PhD. I live in New York. I am also Yeye Atayese of Ojokoro land, because by virtue of my marriage, I also visit Nigeria regularly and I contribute to my community.
Tell us about this whole idea of bringing a health facility to Nigeria.
When I first came to Nigeria, I realised, because I work in the medical sector, that the healthcare system is very poor. And I’m saying to myself, if something happen to me in Nigeria, what kind of assistance am I going to get medically? So I spoke to my husband and I said, since I work in a hospital in New York and I have access to doctors and all these different things because of my position as a midwife/administrator; I have 350 doctors working under me and I’m the one who certifies them to work in the hospital. So being that I have that clout and the ability to get to the CEO of Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, where I have worked for over 38 years; I’ve actually been with them for like 45 years, but I’ve worked for them for 38 years as a midwife; so I thought I should be able to do something. Coming to Nigeria – I love Nigeria; let me interject that; I have decided that what we have in the United States, we can also have here. So I told my husband that when I go back to the United States, I am going to summon the head doctors and tell them, this is the state of the medical facilities in Nigeria and this is what I think we should do to help them.
So I had meetings with them and they were kind of taken aback. For them, it’s an opportunity to get to do something for Nigeria. As Americans, they always like to be on top, to show people what they can do and how they can go about doing things better. But I know that once you train my Nigerian people, we can do it better too. All we need is the push.
So now, it is the doctors back in New York who have started calling me, asking ‘Helen, are you still going to do this thing? And I keep telling them, ‘ Yes, we’re going to do it, we’re going to build the hospital in Nigeria, and that when I go back this time, I am going to see how we can get the land to build the hospital. Probably get investors; or get the medical authorities in Nigeria to help us facilitate the project. So right now, 2024, they are waiting on me to get back to feed them back on who I spoke with and what has transpired. So, I am so happy that we eventually met with the permanent secretary for the Commissioner of Health, for us to move forward in this regard. I really want to situate this medical centre in Nigeria, so that instead of people trying to go abroad to access treatment, even have babies; we have the best facilities here, such that they don’t have to spend the kind of huge amount of money they spend. Instead of going to America, Canada, UK, we can do it right here.
This hospital, what form is it going to take; what sections or departments are we looking at?
The hospital is going to consist of a gynaecology department, paediatrics’ departments; you Gynaecology is very important. As a midwife, I take that very seriously, because when you’re pregnant, you have one foot in the door and another foot out. So I want to make sure that all mothers live and all babies live.
You also hinted on having hostel facilities.
Our intention is to have a hostel for doctors and other health personnel who will be coming from outside the country- because we in Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, facilitate doctors from all over the world. They come to our hospital for training, because we have school – ICAHN School of Medicine. So most people come from around the world to attend our school because it is very prestigious. We want to do the same thing here and have some of our doctors do tours and train the Nigerian doctors and nurses that pass out. They can also come into our hospital in New York do a tour. This is to open up the way for all Nigerian doctors and nurses to have a part in this hospital and in this medical system. Because it is the best!
Are you talking of training the Nigerian doctors in the facilities here or in New York?
We can do both. They can probably do like a skit in New York for like a year. But I don’t think it makes much sense for them to go over to New York, when we’re going to have doctors coming from New York, Germany, UK, India, China… ; they will all rotate and come here. That’s why we need a hostel for them to stay because they’d be staying no more than six months. And we want to work with the health care system of Nigeria that already exists. We can help do the upgrading in that system, because I understand that the system now is collapsing. It’s broken, and we don’t want it broken. We want to help fix it; we want to work together as partners. We don’t want to do anything private and separate.
You’ve spoken repeatedly about your love for Nigeria; what fuels it?
You know, I always wanted to come to Africa; I always wanted to know what Africa is all about; I always wanted to know about the motherland; because me, my background is the Caribbean, Trinidad and Tobago; and we have lots of Yoruba and Igbo people living there as migrants. Don’t forget we are children of slaves. I’m really happy to come back home
So it’s about coming back to your roots?
Yes, coming back to my roots. When I came to Nigeria and I saw what they do and how the place is set up, I was like this is just like back home in Trinidad and Tobago. The tradition, the respect that we have for each other, that we have for elders… I know the Yoruba is in us; the Igbo is in us; any which way. The lineage and lifestyle of the Yoruba people is very pronounced in our life. Everything they do, from the Orisha, we have it rampant in the Caribbean. They love us, they embrace us, we embrace them too. I like their food. I love the ewedu; that’s my favourite; I love jollof rice; there is another one that I love to cook, egusi.
You know how to make it?
Yes. I learnt it from my husband. He’s a good cook. Everywhere I go and see people cooking on the three stones and the charcoal, I want to be part of it. They bring the best taste in food out. I don’t want to cook with gas. I also like village life. I’m not the city person. I love to be able to leave my door open. So that neighbours can come over and we can sit down together and have a conversation. I love the farming…That’s all I want. And I will like to invite the president of Nigeria to my home; I will personally cook for him and his wife, ewedu, egusi; whatever he wants. I want to be Nigerian so bad.
Did you live that kind of life back in Trinidad and Tobago?
I grew up in both the village and city in Trinidad and Tobago, and then I migrated to the United States of America. We have lots of villages like Toco, Cedros, Debe, San Fernando, Moruga; we also have cities like Port au Spain, Curene, Tuna Puna, Barataria and so on and so forth. The villages are where you have the Yoruba people deep south of Trinidad and Tobago.
Do you still have some Yoruba vocabulary as part of your language?
I think so. Trinidad is a melting port; a lot of people came to Trinidad and changed the language, creating a mixture. Remember, we have Venezuela just five miles away, and then we have Grenada 15 minutes away, and Barbados. One day I found myself going to Barbados for breakfast, having lunch in Grenada and coming back to Trinidad for supper in just one day. These are islands and you can go by boat or by plane.
Trinidad and Tobago is a pot pourri of culture. You had Spanish people come from Venezuela, from Spain; my grandmother is from Spain, Barcelona; my grandfather’s relatives come from Germany; they come down to France and to China. My mother side is Indian. So I also have the Hindu culture.
Interestingly, Nigerians condemn their country and have lots of bad commentary about her; but here you are extolling the same country.
Nigerians are the happiest people I know. But they don’t know. Everybody wants to come to the United States, but, no. This is the place you’re supposed to be and develop. If you do come to the United States for education, you must come back home to develop your country. My husband is a Nigerian and he’s going to get his PhD probably by the end of the month; and I’ve told him that when he gets his certificate, he has to come back home and service the people of Nigeria.
Are you saying Nigerian’s going abroad to live is misplaced?
I think so. I think they should develop this beautiful country. Teach the youths because the youths are our tomorrow; we have to train them, we have to teach them. And I know they are willing to learn, we just have to open the doors for them. And I’m here to do that. I see people leave Nigeria as qualified medical doctors and end up working as domestics in America. And I wonder, ‘how can you be a good doctor in Nigeria and you’re baby-sitting in the United States, walking the dog and wiping do noses? If I’m a doctor in my country and I have to relocate, then I’m going to be a doctor wherever I’m relocating to. Something is wrong there. There is a disconnection. And I’m so happy that President Tinubu is in, because he’s a grassroots person, and I know he’s going to have two terms, and he is going to change the face of Nigeria. We just need to give him a chance.
I will also like the president to invite me the next time I come to Nigeria in May; I will like to have a conversation with him on enhancing tourism in Nigeria; how to bring people from all parts of the world to Nigeria and let them see how beautiful Nigeria is – because Nigeria is beautiful.
How did you meet your husband?
We’ve been together probably twelve years; and we’ve been married for ten years.
What was the attraction?
(Laughs heartily) I met him through some friends; he’s very quiet. Up till this moment, he doesn’t talk much. I was married and divorced; and I hadn’t seen anybody for 17 years until I met him.
Really? That’s hardly believable.
True. I didn’t really want a relationship or anything like that but we just got drawn to each other and stuff. I’m a person for education; and being that he’s from Nigeria, I asked him: ‘how far have you gone with your education?’ And when he told me that he went to Yabatech and stuffs like that, I asked what he wanted to do in America to better himself? And he said he’d like to go back to school but that funds were very low. I asked if he had children and if they were in school, and when he said they were not in school and that he hoped to make enough money to send them to school. I told him, why don’t you look for a school and I’d will fund it? So I funded his schooling until he reached his PhD level. I came to Nigeria and I met his children, and I made provision for them to go to school, from primary to university.
All this while, had you started a relationship or you were still friends?
Not yet. Because I really wasn’t looking out for a relationship, just friendship; and then we started getting closer; because you know you can’t just see somebody and just get into a relationship. But he showed me the kind of person he was and I thought probably I should try a relationship. And it’s something I’m not sorry about till this day. He’s the best husband anybody can have.
Who made the move?
I think I did, because he was kind of quiet and shy, whereas I’m an outgoing and outspoken. We went for lunch; I would never forget it because it was a Good Friday. I took him out, we came back to my house and he never left (laughs).
Could we say part of the reasons you fell in love with him was the pull of Africa?
No, I love him for him. But when he brought me to Africa, I love him more and I love my people in Africa, because I feel like I’m home now. I’m satisfied. I’ve built houses here as well. I have two houses in Ikorodu, Lagos; I just bought a farm in Ijebu, Iperu Remo.
How do you interact with your neighbours? Don’t they give you some distance, seeing that you are ‘oyinbo’?
Well, they love oyinbo in my neighbourhood. They love me because I relate with them very well. I try to do things in my community… The last time I came, we got a tractor and widened the road; we took off all the garbage; I have my crew, the guys, the youths…
How do you feel about your title, Yeye Atayese?
I am Yeye Atayese of Ojokoro. I was given the title by the Oba of Ojokoro, Oba Oluwalanbe. I think they gave me this title because I love to beautify things; I like to make things happen, I’m a community person, I like to bring people together. People should think more of what they can do for the government, not what the government can do for them.
How did you meet your wife; you have practically Yorubanised her?
I don’t know if you have watched the movie, Coming to America. In that movie, you’d recall that there is an African prince that went to Queens to get his queen. Same way, when I went to Queens, though not deliberately, I met my queen. And ever since, we sort of gravitated towards each other. We discovered that we were always flowing on the same page. Also she is somebody who is spiritual, and as a Babalawo, we got closer. Yes, I’m a babalawo, that’s what I do in the United States. I practise Ifa and I also deliver Ifa lectures all over the United States. That was how we met. So she’s my Olori. I am also the Eletu of Ojokoro.
So what are you studying now?
I am studying Psychology, with a specialisation in Advanced Studies in Human Behaviour.
How easy was it for her to settle into the Nigerian life?
She blended very easily. She’s somebody who is well cultured and homely and loves to live among people. So when she came to Nigeria and saw that this was kind of similar to the kind of life she was used to in Trinidad, she adapted. And of course, she doesn’t even want people to call her oyinbo. She is always quick to correct them that, ‘I’m not oyinbo, I am African like you.’ She is related to so many races like she pointed out, but of course she also has African blood in her and I think that African blood is stronger than the others. I think that’s why she loves to be with me and to come to Nigeria. As a matter of fact, we have decided that we’re not going to live till old age in the United States; we are coming back to settle finally in Nigeria.
What would you say about Nigerians who are jumping on every means and opportunity to go to Europe and America?
The truth is that a lot of them don’t really know how it is over there. It is not everybody that japa that becomes successful. There is a lot going on in the United States now, even in European countries; things are not really as rosy as they used to be. I’ve seen people in the United States sleeping under bridges, picking food from garbage, roaming about, doing all sorts of unimaginable things to survive. Its’ like the Yoruba proverb of Omo onile Olona (Son of a wealthy man, who now do dishonourable things to survive.)
I was born into it. My father was a babalawo. He was the Araba of Odi-Olowo; I was born and raised in the Ifa religion. While I was growing up, I was learning Ifa and going to school at the same time, although I never thought I would choose Ifa as a profession.
How come you now ended up practising it?
One thing we have to realise is that destiny can never be changed. We all have chosen our path in life, but getting to the earth, because of environmental factors and other distractions, we tend to choose glamorous professions like doctors and co, without taking time to find out whether it aligns with your path in life. I first studied Fine Art at the Yaba College of Technology, Lagos. I majored in painting and have done a lot of exhibitions at the National Museum at Onikan, Didi Museum; in Japan, in America; but I really never got anything substantial in terms of reward or any achievement that I could point at. It’s like I was just working and working without getting anything out of it. But people were always approaching me to get something out of Ifa; and I had already been told that no matter what, I was always going to come back to practise Ifa as a babalawo. I now discovered that when I now settled down to really focus on it, I started seeing a lot of changes. So not onto me but onto Ifa be the glory. Whatever I have become today is by the grace of Ifa. And of course that is the more reason I chose to study psychology, because it has to do with human behaviour, same as Ifa. So I see psychology as a way of complementing the Ifa work.
Igunma Osa-Jean is a designer and CEO of Olode and Thread. In this interview with Yetunde Oladeinde, he opens up about his humble beginnings, experiences with leather, designing sneakers, exploring Benin’s arts heritage, and how studying engineering inspires the things that he does.
Tell us about your experience as a designer.
When I started, being a fashion designer it wasn’t as glamorous as it is today. There were mostly local tailors and a handful of people who had made a name for themselves in the vocation, most of them no longer in the industry. so we didn’t have the prospects of untold riches, a long fruitful career, or anything like that. I can’t remember any kid back in primary or secondary school who said they wanted to be fashion designers when they grew up. Tailors were for the most part the black sheep of the society and extremely few educated people were happy to take on that role. That was a long time ago and a lot has changed since then.
One of the things I set out to do in my own little way was to alter the perception that designers weren’t reliable or professional in how they conducted business. It turns out that trying to proffer a solution to that challenge was a lucrative endeavor. I haven’t looked back since.
I have transitioned from the guy who wanted to make ends meet by selling local handmade leather goods out of my laptop bag, to running a brand that stages fashion pop-ups in Los Angeles, Atlanta, and New York.
It’s been a lot of work and I’ve met a lot of people. I think that’s my favourite part of being a designer – meeting people. I can’t possibly imagine sitting behind a desk doing a 9-5. I like to go out. The very thought of scouting new fabrics, and conceptualising new ideas or designs thrills me.
What inspired you to go into the sector?
Honestly? I needed a job. I have always had an eye for details. Growing up in Benin, once I got to the age where I could make my outfits, I was amazed at how difficult it was to get a tailor/designer who could make me the quality of outfits I wanted. Then there was the issue of ordering clothes and getting them months later, which tailors are kind of renowned for in this part of the world.
At the time I experienced all of this, I didn’t do much about it. It just sort of crept into my subconscious, knowing there was a void there that needed to be filled. I did a lot of sciences in school, so I couldn’t have imagined I would be the one to fill that gap. I wanted to be a doctor the first time I wrote JAMB. I couldn’t be any further away from that dream now, seeing how I turned out. Looking back, I’m glad I failed JAMB that year.
I collected music and fashion magazines around the time and I had moderate drawing skills. So, I was immersed in the culture and it was a time when hip-hop and fashion were very intertwined, hence streetwear was quite influential. The likes of Marc Ecko, Akademiks, Enyce, Mecca, and Girbaud, were massive then. so I would listen to hip hop and wear fake Meccas and Sean Jean in the day, then read GQ all night and learn about the work Hedi Slimane and Ozwald Boateng were doing at more prestigious houses like Dior and Givenchy.
I started sketching sneakers and even emailed some of my works to Ecko and LRG. The internet was just becoming a thing in this part of the world at the time and I would go to cybercafes miles away from where I lived just to check my email to see if I got any replies. One time I got a response from LRG. A gentleman called Osa, who ironically was my namesake. He didn’t offer me a job or anything like that though, just some sort of thumbs up. Since there was absolutely no avenue to explore the manufacturing of the sneakers I designed, I settled for making leather slippers. That was a low-hanging fruit that ushered me into the world of fashion.
What are some of the achievements and challenges?
I don’t know if I have achievements. I don’t see my work like that. I started 2 decades ago by myself with N3,500 and today I have an operation with some twenty-something members of staff. Those are real people with real jobs who serve other people and that’s something I take delight in – serving people. So I guess I can say we have been blessed with the opportunity to create something with which we have created a connection with so many people.
As for challenges, they’re replete albeit not peculiar to me. It’s the same challenges faced by young people doing business in Nigeria or anywhere else in the world.
I mentioned I started with N3,500, there has never been any point in my business where I had any sort of external injection of funds into the business. I have had to grow it day by day, Naira upon Naira and that can be VERY challenging. Not having the requisite database or well-documented archives to learn from is a serious challenge in the Nigerian fashion industry or at least it was when I started. Then there’s the issue of government policies and how it affects our work in real-time.
Take, for example, the ongoing dollar conundrum. Like I said earlier, that is something we’re all dealing with as a collective but it hits differently when you’re one of the people that need to source forex directly to import things.
The good thing about challenges though is that everyone has them and managing them circumspectly can separate you from the crowd. Challenges are good. I’m a Nigerian, challenges don’t scare us. If the fight is fair, we will win.
What is your assessment of the performance of Nigerian designers?
Nigerians are some of the most clever people on earth and I don’t say that because I’m a Nigerian. The industry is growing very fast and the number of players is increasing by the minute. As you would expect, there are a lot of fantastic designers out there. When you go around, it’s easy to notice a preponderance of Nigerian talents in other African markets and they’re highly sought after in these markets.
You studied Engineering. What did you do with it and how does it inspire your designs?
I didn’t go through with studying engineering. I dropped out after a year and a half or so. I wound up studying business and later on fashion. Fashion is engineering for the human body. Both are technical, wired around numbers, and require a lot of attention to detail if it’s to be done correctly. I would say my time studying engineering helped me develop an obsession with accuracy and the need to keep things simple. The best designs are not easy, but they are simple. It takes a lot of work to keep highly technical things simple.
You started with leather goods, what was the experience?
I love shoes! After sketching a ton of sneakers and realising there wasn’t any chance of having them designed locally, I decided to start manufacturing leather slippers and slides. I found a gentleman who had a small factory around the New Benin area. I gave him my designs and he churned them out nicely. They were pretty good and people liked them. I started with 2 pairs, and gradually built it up from there. In no time, I had bags of leather slippers. Meanwhile, he had a hard time keeping up with production, so I’d spend hours with him at the factory helping out because we had delivery deadlines to meet. That was how I learned shoemaking.
A few years down the line, then president Olusegun Obasanjo banned the importation of leather which my business relied heavily on. The quality of the local alternative was subpar so that affected sales significantly. That was what informed the decision to evolve into clothing as I had earlier collaborated with a friend who made clothes and he in turn sold my slippers since both items were complimentary. I figured for every pair of slippers I sold, the same customer was interested in buying maybe 2 or 3 outfits. There weren’t any eureka moments to it. It was common sense, I was in the wrong business, so to speak. I started a clothing line the right way.
How does the Benin artistic and rich heritage inspire you?
You’re correct. The Benin artistic heritage is very rich and it inspires even people who are not from there. When the British force raided the city in the 1897 punitive expedition, they didn’t spare the people but spared our art on a large scale. It says a lot. We are a people whom God has blessed tremendously. We have proven to be prolific craftsmen over time and I think that still runs in our blood to this day. So it’s not just the external influences but the very fact that I am from there that reflects in my work.
At what point did you diversify to Women’s clothing?
That was in 2017 and I did so for a few reasons. Whenever I’d make clothes for my male clientele, their wives would get mad at me for leaving them out. I figured I was leaving money on the table since I already had a potential customer base just sitting there. I also noticed a lot of tackiness in the women’s clothing I saw around. If the clothes fit very well, which a lot of women seemed to be more concerned with, designers could get away with poorly finished work or they just threw embellishments at it. I thought I could do better. Plus I was kind of getting bored with men’s fashion anyway. Womenswear is more adventurous and has unlimited room for creativity as opposed to menswear, where finesse and accuracy are the things you look out for. I don’t think a man’s clothes should be over-designed. It takes away from the sophistication.
officially, we released our first women’s campaign with our Rainy Season 2020 collection. Currently, we are releasing the first Olode and Thread traditional wedding collection – Dry Season 2024. It’s a project I’m very excited about. It’s a complete collection comprising menswear and womenswear.
What are some of the changes that you would like to see in the country today?
Over time, we Nigerians have become inveterate cynics and you can’t blame us. Past experiences have heavily shaped how we perceive people in leadership and government and we pretty much channel all that negative energy towards the entity Nigeria instead of the politicians we have problems with. I’d like to see Nigerians have faith in the country again. If we could speak more positive words about our country, that would be a start.
When politicians fail us, it’s not the country that has failed us, why curse the country? Words are powerful. The politician has a last name and it’s not “Nigeria’. They do not own the country any more than we do.
I’d like to see hope restored, especially with young people. A lot of our great minds are being lost to the Japa syndrome currently and it’s very painful. our education is in shambles and the level of ignorance is dangerously high. Personally, that’s an area I have thought of investing in – helping young people learn science and math. I always say math is the language of God and you can do anything if you are proficient in it. unfortunately what you hear today is “school na scam”. It’s a horrifying prospect, knowing this is the generation we’re handing over to. Something’s gotta give and I don’t think we should sit idle and wait for it. We have a responsibility to do something, every one of us. Each one teach one, they say.
Did you have mentors at the beginning? What has been their impact?
Physically? No. I wish I did, I bet it would have cut my journey in half. I quickly resorted to books when I couldn’t gain access to the type of minds that could help me cut my path in the fashion industry.
The first fashion book I ever read was Obsession; The Lives and Times of Calvin Klein by Steven Gaines. I couldn’t put it down. This was around 1999-2,000. I didn’t have a lot of people around me that had done what I wanted to do so I found mentorship in books. In fashion school, the first book that was recommended which I still find invaluable to this day is, “The End of Fashion; How Marketing Changed the Clothing Game Forever”. What I couldn’t have in people, I found in books. I have avoided a lot of pitfalls in the business just by studying people who have done it on the highest level and learning from their mistakes as well as ingenuity.
If you had to change something in the sector what would it be?
Put some structure to it. The fashion industry in Nigeria is all over the place at the moment and even as an individual brand, it can be effortful making the most of opportunities without proper organisation on an industry level. The fashion industry is very lucrative and improper organisation can hinder investments which is necessary for scaling. We can’t keep operating on this level. We have the market, we have the creative minds, and the connection needs to be made at some point with the products. There are several components in the fashion industry; garment manufacturing, pattern making, designing, marketing, etc. The fabric business in itself is an industry. You’ll be taken aback when customers ask you if you cut and sew as a designer. They think that validates your work. As a Nigerian designer, you’re the entire value chain by yourself and it doesn’t make a good case for specialisation. At any rate, the industry is a relatively young one compared to what they have in more organised settings like Europe, America, and Asia. So, I’m confident things will fall in line eventually.
What advice do you have for young people about the current challenges in the economy?
Stay hopeful. If you didn’t get it today, tomorrow is another day to try.
What lessons has life taught you?
Good things take time. Stay prepared, opportunities will come.
The Senior Pastor of Foundation of Truth Assembly (FOTA) Rev. Yomi Kasali has said he did not participate in the just-concluded election of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN), Lagos State Chapter as widely reported.
Kasali spoke with reporters at his church in Surulere, Lagos.
He said he never participated in the election as reported by some online publications.
“This is a response to an online publication about the just concluded PFN election for Lagos State.
“The online publication said I participated in that election that took place on Monday February 5th.
“This news conference is just to state the fact that I did not participate in that election as the online publication stated that my name was on the ballot,” he said.
Kasali, who said that his name which was on ballot could be either an error or mischievously, added that he chose the latter because of what transpired on Jan. 29.
“Before the election, I got a call from the South West Vice President of PFN, His Grace, Archbishop John Osa-Oni.
“He asked me if I was available to attend the PFN meeting scheduled for Feb. 5.
“I asked him what for and he said it was an election that my name had been nominated to be the chairman of Lagos state PFN and he will like me to come and participate in an election process.
“My response after I thought about it was that I was not interested hence, I declined,” he said.
He added he did not believe in election but consultations for the sacred office because it remains a call to service.
“The reason why I declined is that it is an election. I did not decline to serve the body of Christ if they will like us to serve, I declined because of the process.
“This was how everything went until when the election was held and he told them that I declined but why is my name on the ballot.
“I called Rev Toyin Kehinde to congratulate him but he didn’t pick up, we thereafter exchanged text messages on the same.
“I am still part of the PFN family and we will do our bit as a church in our little way,” he said.
The South West Chairman of PFN. Bishop John Osa-Oni, who spoke to The Nation, admitted Kasali declined participation in the election but his name was already on the printed ballot paper.
He said he was surprised a private conversation went public. According to him: ”If everybody had kept quiet, it will not have generated any issue. The need for a State PFN Chairman is long overdue.
“Anyway, we had a situation like this in 1995, Pastor Enoch Adeboye was the National President of PFN and we had an election at the Foursquare Gospel Church, Headquarters in Lagos. Bishop Benson ldahosa was out of the country and then someone nominated Bishop Idahosa and Pastor Adeboye was also nominated. Bishop ldahosa won the election overwhelmingly. We are family,” he said.
He added: ”If he had won in a landslide will all these be said? You look at the pros and cons. I am the one and l take responsibility.”
