The tenth edition of Art X Lagos recently came to an end in Lagos but the echoes still reverberates. Gboyega Alaka reports.
The luxurious Federal palace hotel, Lagos was a beehive of activities for four straight days, as it hosted the tenth edition of Art X Lagos.
The four-day event, which climaxed on Sunday November 9th, 2025 showcased Africa’s ingenuity, creativity through the arts and crafts of talents, drawing hundreds of art lovers, collectors, media personalities.
The event underlined the vision, tenacity and staying power of Tokini Peterside-Schwebig, Founder of the art fair which has seemingly assumed a life of its own.
Described as a visionary whose passion a decade ago birthed an idea fast becoming a phenomenon in Africa and by extension, the globe, Peterside-Schwebig, said this year’s milestone edition is aptly themed: Imagining Otherwise, No Matter the Tide.
Tagged “10X,” it marks a bold expansion of the fair’s mission to showcase the artistic ingenuity of Nigeria and the African continent. The 2025 fair explores resilience, hope, and creative possibility in contemporary African art.
Although the exhibition was declared open on November 6th, the 10 X edition marking the tenth anniversary of ART X Lagos made its debut on Friday, November 7, 2025 with a glittering and star-studded VIP preview at the ART X Lagos Amphitheatre inside Federal Palace, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The VIP Preview also marked the exclusive opening of what has become West Africa’s leading international art fair, and the invitation-only evening offered collectors, patrons, and select media an intimate first look at this year’s presentations before the public opening.
Among the dignitaries were Tokini Peterside-Schwebig, Founder and Chairman, ART X Lagos; Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu; Executive Director, Zenith Bank, Dr. Adobi Nwapa; Finance Minister and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Mr. Wale Edun; Lagos State Commissioner for Tourism, Arts and Culture, Mrs. Toke Benson-Awoyinka; Hon. Hannatu Musa Musawa, the Minister of Arts, Culture & the Creative Economy; Director, Afreximbank, Mr. Stephen Kauma; Chairman, Anap Jets FZE, Mr. Atedo Peterside, CON; Ambassador of France to Nigeria, Mr. Marc Fonbaustier; Mr. Bolaji Balogun, CEO Chapel Hill Denham; Dr. Jim Ovia CFR, Founder, Zenith Bank Plc and CEO, Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers, Mr. Olumide Oyetan.
Ambassador of France to Nigeria, Mr. Marc Fonbaustier; Chairman, Anap Jets FZE, Mr. Atedo Peterside CON; Chairman & Founder, Zenith Bank PLC, Dr. Jim Ovia CFR; Director, Afreximbank, Mr. Stephen Kauma; Executive Director, Zenith Bank PLC, Dr. Adobi Nwapa; CEO, Chapel Hill Denham, Mr. Bolaji Balogun; CEO, Stanbic IBTC Pension Managers, Mr. Olumide Oyetan; amongst others.
Also present were stakeholders from the art, culture, and creative industries, with featured curators for the edition listed – Missla Libsekal, Curator-at-Large; Jumoke Sanwo, Curator of the Talent Advancement Platforms; Teju Okiti, Curator ART X Cinema; Fikayo Adebanjo, Curator of Audience Engagement and Lanre Masha, Curator, ART X Live! to guide the event.
Founded by Tokini Peterside-Schwebig, ART X Lagos has over the past decade grown into a vibrant platform celebrating African creativity, innovation, and cultural expression. Speaking at the launch which heralded the opening in October, Peterside-Schwebig reflected on the journey so far.
“This is my 10th time standing in front of an audience to introduce the year’s edition of ART X Lagos, and honestly, it fills me with such pride and gratitude to see you all here to commemorate this moment,” she stated.
In a session with journalists, the visionary Peterside-Schwebig said: “It’s an honour to be standing here at the epicentre of the 10th anniversary edition of ART X Lagos. When I conceived ART X Lagos in 2016, I was imagining otherwise. Our theme for this year is Imagining Otherwise, No Matter the Tide, which is self-explanatory and simply means whatever life is throwing at you, look around you and take yourself to a higher place in your mind. Think about your abilities, your resources, everything around you, whether you’re an individual or an organisation and whoever you may be, either an artist or not.”
She added: “There’s so much around us that can support us to go beyond present difficulties and struggles, and that is what Imagining Otherwise, No Matter the Tide is about, using Lagos as the site of discussion around that idea. We are using the mangrove plants that once filled Eko as a discussion about the resilience that can come even in places where you don’t think that kind of innovation can come from.
“So, yes, in 2016 I did imagine otherwise, because I saw my city, which to me, is one of the most powerful cities in the world, and I wanted my city to take its rightful place as a convener for the entire African continent. A convener that would then, on behalf of Africa, having gathered Africa, as was once done in FESTAC 77, bring the rest of the world here to encounter us at where we are at our most powerful. I set out to create this art fair and cultural festival. From day one, we were different from anything the world had ever seen. The world has seen large art fairs in London, Miami, Paris, Hong Kong, Abu Dhabi.
“They had been going for years to Cologne, Germany, but the world had never seen an art fair done the way Lagos would do it. And in trying to serve our city, in trying to serve our country, in trying to serve our continent, we became a truly unique experience platform and entity globally, because we started with home first, we then set out to galvanise the rest of the art sector, creating a satellite programme of events through which we could connect our international visitors as they came from all over the world, and thus spawn the birth of Art Week,” Peterside-Schwebig stated.
In a powerful demonstration of the groundbreaking ideals of the phenomenal art fair, Peterside-Schwebig said the ongoing transformation in the creative terrain, from music, art, film, fashion and others in Nigeria means the efforts are worthy.
Oozing with an indescribable blend of creativity through the exploration of different art forms, ART X Lagos saw the transformation of the Federal Palace Hotel into a sprawling gallery. With the Marque, Ballroom, Waterfront Garden, ART X Cinema and ART X Live! centres all bearing signatures of the unprecedented display of creative splendour, visible at the Main Section, Spotlight Galleries, Public Outdoor Spaces, Kids’ Corner, Speakers’ Corner, Development Forum and ART X Cinema.
The occasion also celebrated the creative genius and titan, J.D Okhai Ojeikere. According to Peterside-Schwebig, celebrating J.D Okhai Ojeikere’s creative mastery meant digging far into the past to capture the elements of nationhood not just for the sake of nostalgia but to inspire the next generation of young people, including the students who were involved for the 2025 schools programme.
Taking the journalists through the exhibition, she states; “This is the National Theatre, which we just gathered at the reopening of the National Theatre, but this photograph was taken in 1977. This is the Benin Mask that Erhabor Emokpae, the best friend of J.D Okhai Ojeikere, designed for FESTAC 77 while he took the pictures.”
“For the exhibition, you will see images of students in Ibadan in the 1950s, looking powerful in the 1960s and 1970s. J.D Okhai Ojeikere is known for his hairstyle series exhibited all over the world but the world has not seen these other images by him. It took us going to meet his family, the custodians of thousands of physical negatives, not digital images. Our curators went through 6,000 physical negatives to produce this exhibition of 200 artworks to try and contextualise six decades of work by this iconic Nigerian who decided to dedicate his life to documenting the reality as he saw it and the power of his country and his people,” she enthused.
In the ten years since inception, the fair has welcomed more than 700,000 visitors from over 170 countries, playing a vital role in cementing Lagos among the world’s most vibrant cultural capitals.
As the curtain falls on this year’s edition, Peterside-Schwebig no doubt has continued to leave her footprints on the sands of time not only as an arts promoter who is passionate about showcasing talents but one woman whose passion has put Africa on the global map.
Tola & Wumi Olukilede Foundation in conjunction with Heal the World Foundation on Monday November 10 2025 unveiled a legacy project at the Mushin General Hospital.
The event, titled: Dedication of Legacy project witnessed the unveiling of a remodeled General Outpatient Department GOPD.
Delivering his opening speech at the hospital’s conference room, Founder of the foundation, Apostle (Dr.) Tola Olukilede traced the history of the organisation, detailing how it has been carrying out legacy projects across the health sector in Lagos and environs, including its efforts in scholarships for indigent children.
He explained that part of what inspired him is the need to lend a helping hand to government efforts, as government alone cannot cater to all society needs.
“You can’t keep on blaming the government, if God has blessed you, bless others, change their lives, change their destinies. We have been to Orile Agege General Hospital, Gbagada General Hospital, where we have delivered legacy projects, changing a lot of things.” He said.
He stated that he opted to remodel the General Outpatient Department from its bare, uninspiring state because he believes that ambience plays a huge part in healing, adding that that was part of the attraction that takes Nigerians abroad for treatment. “We believe in changing the environment, making the place comfortable for both the doctors and the patients. So that patients will be happy and doctors will be happy treating the patients. Imagine a doctor sweating because fans are not working, while also being conscious that the chair he is sitting on may collapse under,” he said.
On why the foundation settled for the GOPD(of all options presented to him), Olukilede said: “When we came here, it was not covered like this, it was an open place, so whether it’s raining or it’s the sun shining, they were left exposed. So we decided to close it up and make it comfortable. Also the consulting rooms were nothing to write home about. Doctors would not even feel happy working in that kind of environment, and they may not be in their best of mind.”
He explained that he decided to add the renovation of the toilets, when he saw how patients were queuing to use them.
In all, Dr. Olukilede said the project cost the foundation a whopping N14milion.
The Special guest of honour, the Managing Director of Toyota Nigeria Limited, Mr. Kunle Ade-Ojo, who took time to grace the occasion despite a bad leg occasioned by an auto accident days earlier, expressed his delight at the newly transformed GOPD and pledged his continual support for the foundation.
Dr. Mrs. Ololade Fadipe Commissioner 4 Lagos State Health Service Commission, who represented the Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu and the Commissioner for Health appreciated the guest of honour, Mr. Ade-Ojo, wife of the founder of Tola & Wumi Olukilede Foundation, Pastor Wumi Olukilede, and of course Apostle Dr. Tola Olukilede for the good works, acknowledging that Lagos State Government with over 35PHCs and 30 General Hospitals could do with every support.
She urged the members of staff make maintenance of the facilities their own contribution and be nice to patients.
Immediate past MD of the hospital, Dr. Oluseyi Sunday Adeola, who has now been posted to another facility in Badagry said, “We gave him several options; we had the eye clinic, we had the relocation of the laboratory and the GOPD, which we see as the eye of the hospital. He opted for it because it is the first point of call for anybody coming in.”
The MD of the hospital, Dr. Idowu Ayoola, commended the foundation for the project, saying, “It will help us take care of our patients very well. The GOPD will now be conducive for the patients while waiting and during consultations with the doctors. The waiting time will be reduced and they will be seen in a very good environment.”
The Foundation later paid a visited the Lagos state Un8iversity Teaching Hospital, where Apostle Olukilede and his team ministered to some of the patients and made some financial donations.
Notably, he donated the sum of N250,000 for urgent MRI scan and treatment of a young female hit and run victim at the hospital, and other sums for the upkeep of a couple others.
Ore Town, a commercial nerve centre and stopover point for travelers in Southern Nigeria is located in the Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State, Southwest Nigeria. It is a town which has over the years earned its reputation as a melting pot for different tribes of people and business transactions, based on its strategic location and embracing atmosphere. Tosin Tope, who recently visited the town, reports.
The interchanged flyover tagged the “Freedom Bridge” is perhaps the first thing anyone notices when entering Ore town – whether coming from the Shagamu/Lagos axis in the Southwest or the Benin/Niger Delta corridor in the Southsouth. Apart from the dizzying mass of humanity caught in the flux of survival, the bridge stands as a symbol of transformation and progress – a legacy of late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu, who fulfilled the vision of modernising the gateway town.
The bridge put an end to the perennial traffic jam on the popular Ore junction and Showboy area and adequately eased the flow of traffic on the notorious transit axis of Lagos-Benin road which was caused by the location of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) deport at the entrance of the expressway in Ore.
Welcome to Ore, in Odigbo Local Government Area of Ondo State – a town etched in Nigeria’s historical and commercial map. Once notable for its role during the Nigerian Civil War, where federal troops halted the advancing Biafran forces in a decisive battle that preserved the country’s unity, Ore has since evolved into a bustling commercial hub – a city where history meets enterprise.
The gateway town has developed into a commercial hub, attracting traders, travellers and settlers. Ore has remained a strategic, dynamic, and regenerative melting pot of people and cultures, with an aggressive commercial inclination as well as an eye for innovation and the progressives. The bustling city has been recognised for its strategic position as a major transportation and commercial hub. It has been serving as a critical junction for travellers and goods moving between the southwestern and southeastern parts of the country.
Ore’s location along key highways, characterised by its vibrant markets and diverse population, makes it an essential stopover for long-distance travellers, enhancing its role in trade and commerce within the country.
Aside its busy commercial activities, which often causes hours of heavy traffic gridlock, it was also notorious for its perennial accidents, which has the highest rate in the state but since its transformation, there have been an increase in the influx of vehicular movements and activities on the road. Ore town has since joined the league of industrialised areas of the country.
Ore town’s strategic location is legendary. The Yoruba adage says, “Mẹta lọja, mẹrin n’Ore,” meaning “Three junctions confuse a stranger, but Ore has four.” From Ore, the road splits in four directions: Shagamu and Lagos to the West; Benin and the Niger Delta to the East; Akure and the North up country; and Okitipupa with the coastal towns to the South.
This intersection makes Ore a nerve centre of Nigeria’s road network — a vital point for travellers, traders, and transporters. It is a lifeline connecting regions and economies, a place where goods, cultures, and dreams converge.
Its position as a transport hub has also made Ore a bustling commercial centre, especially for agricultural products. The town is a key market for crops like cocoa, rubber, oil palm, and timber, which are major exports from Ondo state.
The ancient town is a ‘big world’ on its own, priding itself as one of the largest commercial nerve centres for trading, with a very booming population of settlers who are mostly traders across the tribes and regions in the country. Following the Civil War in the late 1960s, where thousands of Nigerians were mowed down in that epic battle, it has grown into an urban city; transiting from a ‘theatre of war’ to a ‘theatre of trade’. Many old enough would recall how the town’s landscape echoed with the thunder of artillery, as the Federal and Biafran forces clashed fiercely, with the Nigerian troops’ victory halting the Biafran’s advancement toward Lagos and the Western Region.
Today, the sound of war has been replaced by the hum of commerce. The same soil that once bore the footprints of soldiers now carries the footsteps of traders and entrepreneurs. The relics of war have given way to symbols of peace and progress – shops, warehouses, fuel stations, markets, and hotels.
Ore now breathes business. The town’s air is thick with trade — from hawkers waving snacks and drinks at motorists, to wholesalers dealing in cocoa, palm oil, rubber, and timber. It is a true “city of milk and honey,” where many arrive with little but find opportunity through hard work and enterprise.
The markets are an orchestra of activity – women selling food and provisions; young men pushing wheelbarrows of goods; mechanics, transporters, artisans, and hotel owners – all thriving in an economy that never sleeps.
Even at night, the town’s rhythm doesn’t fade. Restaurants, lodges, and roadside vendors keep the lights on, serving travellers journeying across the regions.
Despite the impact of the Battle of Ore, as that epic battle has come to be known, the town has continued to experience endless influx of people, especially from the Eastern part of the country, with their penchant for business – almost like Lagos.
With its overwhelming population of traders, the town has its market place of happening points for different businesses, ranging from consumables, perishables, electronics, transportation, restaurants, hospitality, salons, oil and gas, aforestation among several others.
One could easily observe various categories of people united by their types of business, such as petty trading, hawking of satchet water, nylon bags, cold soda drinks, bottle water and other beverages; sausages, meat pie, egg roll and other snacks; butter bread, food vendors (such as moi moi, beans and rice, plantains) among several others.
Hospitality
Aside the thriving business activities, travellers have also come to see Ore as a major hospitality haven. Drivers and passengers alike stop-over in the ancient city to either have some rest, grab a meal or catch a glimpse of the bubbling activities of the city that never sleeps. Meanwhile, hoteliers smile home, raking in cool cash courtesy the endless patronage of travellers.
Ore town has its market which is open for business and regulated by unions. Like every other market hub, it has a good dose of the good, the bad, and ugly, as traders and visitors often encounter pick pockets and mobile phone snatchers, among several others. Following this, the leadership of the unions, it was gathered, came up with conditions for admission at the market.
In spite of its oppressively dysfunctional infrastructure and public amenities, there is a contrastive feeling of relative calm and order in the market. Many first-time visitors would be puzzled, even shocked, by the intense movement of cash here, even without state security operatives.
Another popular area is ‘Showboy,’ where truck drivers from Northern parts of country often park to rest or offload goods and passengers.
During a visit to the ancient town, one of the leaders of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Mr. Ibukun Daodu explained that the essence of the condition was to minimise the influx into the commercial community.
He said, “Many of those you’re seeing here are people from other states and parts of the country. They came into the town to do business and it is flourishing as you can see. We just have to regulate their activities to avoid the unnecessary influx. We are excited that people are coming into the city. Lots of settlers are here engaging in various means of legal business because this place is a gateway to other states and adjoining towns.
“Ore town has its history far back to commerce, economic development, socialisation and hospitality but you would agree with me that we should also do some regulations. It is often said that where there is no law, there is no sin. So, amid our population, we are also being careful not to chase people away from here but to know the ones who are transacting business and the exact trade they are here for.”
A trader in the town, Madam Amarachi Ogechukwu, who had been in the town for over 30 years, said her family had to settle in Ore as a result of its booming business environment.
Ogechukwu, who lost her husband two years ago, explained that she had her two children in the town due to its peaceful nature. She also said she has never regretted leaving her Eastern Nigeria base to settle there.
“I have been here for decades. My husband and I came into the town from Ebonyi State. It was here that we gave birth to our children. I have two boys. I’ve never regretted been a dweller in the town. We came here for business and we sell building materials. Truly, in this town, business flourish and trade also move. I can refer to Ore as a town that flows with milk and honey.
“Unfortunately, I lost my husband two years ago in a motor accident while on his way to procure some goods in Lagos. The fact here is that, things are cheaper here in Ore town and it is one of the reasons it flourishes. People who can’t travel to Lagos to buy their things, also come down here to get them at cheaper rates.
“They also know they are getting the best like in Lagos. The town is like a commercial hub centre and there is nothing you’re looking for that you will not find here. It’s a meeting point for everybody, and quite peaceful. Many travellers coming from Lagos will always stopover here to buy things and relax themselves,” she said.
Asked if she would one day return to the East where she hailed from, she said, “I can’t actually say because our investment is all here. We built house here in Ore. Our business is also here in the town. I have brought my younger sister here who used to stay in Delta and she is also learning business.
“I understand that there is no place like home but Ore has also been my home. I can travel to Ebonyi to go greet my parents and return but I don’t think I can settle down there again. Now, I have my family and children settling down here in Ore. They are going to school here. It will be difficult for me to take a decision that will affect their future.”
A traveler from Lagos en route Benin, Festus Adeleke, sharing his experience, told The Nation that he loves stopping over in Ore town to eat, rest, and do some shopping for his family.
He described Ore as one of the very few towns like Lagos, where strangers from various parts of the country meet and also network for businesses.
“We just had a stopover here (in Ore) to rest and eat before continuing our journey to Benin. I am used to the town; it is a gateway to other states. I have my family in Lagos, but I go to Benin all the time for private business, so stopping over here has become a habit for me.
“You would see people (passengers) buying things here. Some will buy and take home for their family. The other time we stopped here, I bought some clothes for my children. They were very cheap and classy too. I had to collect the number of seller. Till today, we have maintained connection; anytime I am passing by, I notify him if I need clothes for my children I bulk ad he supplies.
“Really, there is no way you will journey through Ore that you will not want to stop and buy something here. It’s cool and fun for me, especially I have the money,” he said.
Ore town is peopled predominantly by Christians and Muslims, who rely on prayers for protection and progress in their businesses and trades, hence the major streets are littered with churches and mosques of different denominations. The activities of these worship centres also contribute to its growing economy, as some of the churches have their headquarters in the city, bringing influxes, expansions and revenue generation.
Amid the commercial nerves centre, Ore town also enjoys the attention it deserves from the government in term of industrialisation. The late Governor Rotimi Akeredolu turned the town into an “industrial hub” with the massive investment of insfrastructure and companies. The Linyi Industrial Park in Ore is bubbly as human and vehicular traffic are common features of the landscape of this once-empty space in the woods. Also, different companies have set up plants and warehouses while many others are undergoing construction.
Adeolu Ogungbeni, an industrialist, said Ore is now an industrial centre that has been accommodating various companies for business development.
“Beyond being a commercial centre, we now have industries setting up here in Ore. They are doing their business with ease, and an interesting part of it is that they are engaging people from the town. When you are measuring the growth of a society, you look at how the businesses thrive. You look at the industries or companies being set up. Also, you look at the investment, both local and foreign because these and many more would drive people into the town. These companies even source their materials locally. I mean, they return back to the town because they buy from here to produce whatever they want. This is the best way to grow the city.”
Describing Ore as a commercial hub that connects both the South and the East in Nigeria, the Executive Chairman of Odigbo Local Government Area, Taiye Adegoroye called for more government presence and infrastructural development in the area.
Speaking with The Nation, Adegoroye noted that Ore has historically served as a melting pot for different ethnic groups across the country and continues to play a key role in national commerce.
According to him, the town’s strategic location and economic potential makes it deserving of greater attention from both state and federal governments, especially in line with the ongoing economic reforms of President Bola Tinubu.
“Geographically, Ore links the South to the East, and it remains a major commercial centre in Ondo State that attracts different types of investors. It is a cosmopolitan town where all ethnic groups in Nigeria are represented,” he said.
According to him, the government had been trying its best, but like Oliver Twist, more infrastructural projects such as good roads are still begging for attention in the town.
“The government has been doing its best, but like Oliver Twist, we are asking for more – especially in terms of road infrastructure and other developmental projects.”
Adegoroye commended Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa for his ongoing developmental efforts in the area, noting that some dilapidated roads in Ore are currently being rehabilitated
“His Excellency, Dr. Lucky Aiyedatiwa is performing, and his presence is being felt in Ore. We can see some of the roads being fixed, and we are also putting measures in place to grade more roads in Ore and Odigbo as a whole,” he added, appealing to both local and foreign investors to take advantage of Ore’s safety and economic potential.
“Ore is safe for investors, and that’s what we need here – more investments to drive development and create jobs.”
For Hon Tunji Fabiyi, the state lawmaker representing Odigbo Constituency I in the Ondo State House of Assembly, Ore town needs a “comprehensive master plan”, describing it as long overdue.
Fabiyi commended President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for the ongoing expansion of the Ore–Ondo–Akure road project, noting that the initiative would significantly boost the economic fortunes of the ancient town.
“Let me commend our own President Bola Tinubu for this laudable project that they are doing as regards road construction from Akure to Ore. This will boost the economic resources of the community.”
The lawmaker, however, lamented the poor physical and infrastructural planning in Ore, stressing the need for an urban development strategy to match the town’s rapid expansion.
He decried the deplorable state of internal roads and the collapse of a key bridge linking parts of the town, calling for urgent government intervention.
“But it’s highly unfortunate that some of the structures we have in Ore are not well planned. It’s not well structured. A master plan for Ore is long overdue. If you look at the rate at which Ore is expanding; from the Ikale axis, Ore has extended to Kajola, almost reaching Kajola Oju irin. And if you look at it, it has extended to Agbabu area too. And talking about this Odigbo side, Ore has linked up with Ijebu.
“But it’s highly unfortunate that there ar no good road network to link Ore. You will observe that, if there is any traffic jam on the major expressway, the only linking road that can be an alternative road is the Ode or the Benni road.
“And if you observe very well, the bridge linking it to Showboy has collapsed, begging for the attention of government. Besides, Ore deserves a big institution. If we are able to get all this in Ore, there is no way you can put Ore down, aside the fact that we don’t have big rivers like Lagos.”
He emphasised that Ore’s fast-growing, heterogeneous population and agricultural potential present enormous opportunities for economic growth if properly harnessed.
“And there is Araromi Beach with its coastal line. If we are able to get that one, I think it will go a long way. Whatever cargo ship that is landing in that place, Ore will be the major beneficiary.
“I pray that God gives our leaders the wisdom to focus on and tap into the advantages and enormous opportunities at our disposal,” Fabiyi said.
It was a joyous gathering at the Prayer Mantle Ministry campground in Shagamu, Ogun State as friends, church leaders, and ministry partners converged to celebrate the 50th birthday of the church’s General Overseer, Prophet Isaac Olaomo.
The atmosphere was filled with songs, prayers, testimonies, and Bible teachings as attendees described the celebrant as “a true servant of God,” “a prophet to the nations,” and “a man committed to the mandate God has given him.”
Gospel music icon, Evangelist Ojo Ade, praised Prophet Olaomo’s steadfastness and simplicity, describing him as “a holy and faithful man of God.
“He is someone God is working with. He lives a good life and does not add to the word of God. He gives his best and follows God’s direction,” he said.
“My advice to younger pastors is to stay in the love of God and avoid the rush of this generation. Stay faithful to the undiluted word of God.”
The General Overseer of Christ Grace and Glory Assembly, Pastor Joseph Afolayan, also spoke glowingly of Prophet Olaomo, emphasizing his humility and rare ability to relate with both the high and the low.
“He is a gift to this generation. God gave him grace to penetrate people’s hearts and make an impact. He does not seek fame; he hides himself in God,” Pastor Afolayan said.
“My prayer is that he remains focused and un-diverted from his calling. God will continue to use him mightily.”
For Pastor Yomi Olusanya of The Voice of God Mountain Evangelical and Deliverance Ministry, the celebration also highlighted a longstanding bond between the two ministers.
“Our relationship is divine, and whatever is divine can be sustained. We see ourselves as family. Age doesn’t matter; God designed that our paths should cross,” Olusanya said.
He described Prophet Olaomo as his prophet and a man who hears clearly from God.
“There are many who call themselves prophets but are merely seers. A prophet sees and provides solutions; a seer sees and adds burden. Prophet Olaomo hears from God and offers solutions,”he added.
“My wish for him is more grace, more anointing, and open doors for ministry. Fifty is only the beginning.”
Also speaking at the event was Pastor Olupero Michael, Regional Overseer of Deeper Life Bible Church (Ilogbo Region), who described Prophet Olaomo as both his spiritual son and his prophet.
He recalled being present when the celebrant first received his pastoral calling.
“I placed the Bible in his hands and said, ‘Wherever you go, preach this Bible.’ He has remained faithful. He stands in holiness and righteousness, “the Deeper Life leader said.
Author and filmmaker ‘Wale Adebayo has recently premiered his latest faith-based movie, The Jump, before a distinguished audience at The Lord’s Chapel of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Gbagada, Lagos.
Directed by Buggie Felix, The Jump explores themes of redemption, hope, and the life-transforming power of God’s grace. The film follows a compelling journey of spiritual rebirth, designed to inspire and uplift viewers navigating challenging seasons of life.
Speaking at the premiere, Adebayo explained that the project emerged through divine direction. The Jump was produced under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit. Its core message highlights the unfailing grace of God for the hopeless,” he said, adding that the film seeks to strengthen believers’ understanding of God’s ability to restore.
The event drew several dignitaries and film enthusiasts, including Pastor Olubunmi Babasola, Zonal Pastor of RCCG TLC, and his wife, Pastor (Mrs.) Funmi Babasola. Also present were Anthony Udom of Praxis Studios and members of the cast such as Eric Obinna and Ayodele Michael Babatunde.
The premiere ended with prayers and commendations for Adebayo, as attendees expressed confidence that the movie will make a meaningful impact on audiences across Nigeria and beyond.
At the Convocation Ceremony of Life Theological Seminary, Ikorodu, Lagos, renowned cleric and founder of Kingsway International Christian Centre (KICC), Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo, delivered a stirring charge to young Christians and emerging pastors, stressing the urgent need for deep biblical knowledge in an age dominated by social media.
He made this known at the 2025 Convocation ceremony of Life Theological Seminary, Ikorodu, Lagos, which took place at the Seminary’s premises, where the best graduating students were awarded not only certificates, but also given cash awards.
Categories of graduating students include those who obtained certificates, diplomas, Bachelor of Theology, Master of Theology in various fields, including Doctor of Ministry, as well as Doctor of Philosophy.
Reflecting on his first encounter with the seminary 49 years ago, Ashimolowo described Life Theological Seminary as a ‘balanced institution,’ then and now, applauding its consistency and growth over the decades. “Life Theological Seminary was balanced when I came 49 years ago. It is still balanced,” he said.
He warned that the ease of preaching and online popularity should not be mistaken for pastoral competence.
“Don’t just assume that because you can preach and do shabbalabala that you can pastor a church,” he cautioned. “There are very deep questions members will ask you. And if you don’t know how to rightly divide the word of truth, you can create problems.”
According to him, social media has become “a space containing the good, the bad, and the ugly,” making it even more important for ministers to be grounded in sound doctrine.
He expressed concern that many young preachers rely heavily on borrowed sermons and trends without a solid theological foundation.
“Some of the pastors we are celebrating on social media have only garnered messages from others but cannot defend them,” he said.
“Ask some of them serious questions about the Trinity, and they will struggle. They become afraid when confronted by Muslims because they cannot explain basic doctrines.”
Ashimolowo, who clocked 70 this year, encouraged young ministers—regardless of their academic background—to pursue formal theological education.
“You have your degree in astrophysics, chemistry, and God has called you. Fantastic. But after you gather the crowd, you need to feed the people of God,” he said. “If all you are doing is going online and gathering sermons, you will end up eating in all the spiritual bookers. You need to know the food to feed your people.”
Ashimolowo further stressed that spiritual leadership requires more than charisma. “I can’t carry a knife and begin to do physical surgery. Spiritual surgery is tougher. Get education,” he urged.
In his words, the General Overseer, Foursquare Gospel Church Nigeria, Rev. Sam Aboyeji, has given kudos to Life Theological Seminary for its steadfastness, towering tall and strong in advancing the course of theological education in Nigeria.
Aboyeji gave kudos to the management of the Seminary and said he looked forward to better performances after celebrating its 70th Anniversary.
“In the near future, I believe that the new leadership of Life with the coming in of Rev. Emmanuel Adejoro as New Provost will be able to align with modern techniques” he said.
He applauded the outgoing Provost of the institution, Prof. Cletus Orgu, for his outstanding, enviable and productive leadership in the last twenty years.
He further remarked that his two decades at the helm of affairs of the Seminary had produced visible, tangible and undeniable results in infrastructure, staff and personnel development, students’ outstanding achievements, diaspora recognition and affiliation, among others, adding that there was no doubt that he has served diligently and meritoriously
Themed, ‘Socioeconomic Benefits of Pilgrimage to the Nigerian State,’ the forum will bring together government officials, church leaders, faith-based communicators, and media professionals to examine the role of pilgrimage in national development, spiritual renewal, and social transformation.
The event will also feature the Governor of Osun State as a Special Guest, alongside an impressive lineup of distinguished speakers and Christian leaders.
The Keynote Address will be delivered by Bishop Stephen Adegbite, Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Christian Pilgrims Commission (NCPC), while Rev. Israel Kristilere, President of the Christian Tourism Practitioners Association of Nigeria (CTPAN), will serve as Guest Speaker.
The Father of the Day is Pastor (Dr.) Gabriel Okpako Uyeh, LAWNA Territorial Chairman, The Apostolic Church Nigeria (TACN), the Bishop and General Overseer of Holy Spirit Mission, also known as Happy Family Centre. Bishop Charles lghele as Patron and the Provost of LIFE Theological Seminary, Professor Cletus Orgu, will also be in attendance as one of the distinguished guests.
According to the President of ACCoN, Mr. Adeola Ogunlade, the forum is designed to serve as a reflective and strategic platform for faith-based journalists, policymakers, and church leaders to engage in constructive dialogue on how Christian pilgrimage can contribute to the nation’s spiritual and socioeconomic advancement.
Ogunlade noted that, “Pilgrimage is not just a spiritual exercise; it also has the potential to boost our nation’s tourism, strengthen interfaith understanding, and promote values of integrity and patriotism. This forum will provide a platform for leaders to share perspectives on how faith can influence sustainable national growth.”
He further explained that the End-of-Year Forum will also feature interactive sessions, networking opportunities, and recognition of distinguished Christian leaders and institutions that have contributed to the advancement of faith-based communication and national development.
The Association of Christian Correspondents of Nigeria (ACCoN) remains committed to promoting responsible Christian journalism, ethical media practice, and effective communication that uphold truth, faith, and national unity.
The General Overseer, The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Pastor Enoch Adeboye has assured every Nigerian that trusts in the true and living God to stand on the assurance that no matter the state of the economy that has led to what they are passing through, they should not be moved as certainly, there will be victory at last because they are not here on earth by accident.
Adeboye, a thoroughbred and a great scholar, who holds a PhD in Applied Mathematics, debunked the teaching of science and the theory of evolution, unequivocally assured that man is the offspring of the Supreme God, the truth to which the entire creation testifies.
The clergy ministered during the monthly thanksgiving service at the RCCG headquarters, The Throne of Grace, Ebute-Metta, on the theme, ‘From Waiting to Winning,’ and prayed for singles, matured singles (male/female), waiting mothers, expectant mothers and their families.
Adeboye also assured that God, by His power, has the prerogative to fast-forward anything, explaining that what is meant to happen in future can be made to happen now by Him.
Juxtaposing God’s ability to fast-track future promises, Adeboye also warned of the necessity to imbibe the nature of patience, not to run ahead of God but patiently wait for Him because He is never too late.
Quoting from the scriptures, the clergy admonished those who are privileged to have been promised one thing or the other by God to patiently wait for Him who will never fail.
He assured the singles that he prayed for, to start preparing for their wedding.
The Special Assistant to the General Overseer (Administration), who doubles as the Pastor in charge of the Region, Dele Balogun, called on Nigerians to shun evil ways, including corruption, kidnapping and practising of those things that are ungodly.
“My further counsel to every Nigerian is, do away with pretence and hypocrisy because God does not look at the face and mere action but the heart.
“I admonish Nigerians to believe God, trust Him, and He will show up for them. Our waiting time is over in this nation,” he said.
The Executive Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has restated his administration’s commitment to supporting programmes that uphold moral values, strengthen communities, and draw citizens closer to God.
He made this declaration on Friday at the 16th Night of Mercy Gospel Concert, held at the Onikan Stadium, Lagos Island, and organised by the Holy Ghost Christian Centre (HGCC).
The annual worship gathering drew thousands of believers and featured performances by some of Nigeria’s leading gospel artistes, including Nathaniel Bassey, Dunsin Oyekan, Bidemi Olaoba, Efe Nathan, Simisola Agbebi, and Lady Prudence, whose ministrations electrified the atmosphere with heartfelt worship and praise.
Delivering his goodwill message, Sanwo-Olu described the event as “a divine appointment where heaven leans toward the earth.”
He expressed gratitude for the unwavering faith of the Christian community and the resilience of Lagos residents, despite global and national challenges.
He said, “It is with profound humility and a deeply grateful heart that I welcome every one of you to this sacred Night of Mercy.
“In a world weighed down by uncertainty and unrest, gatherings like this remind us that God’s compassion never fails and His grace never diminishes,” he said.
Sanwo-Olu commended the Convener and Senior Pastor of Holyghost Christian Centre, Pastor Amos Fenwa, for his dedication to advancing the gospel and creating a platform where lives are renewed.
“Pastor Amos Fenwa, I honour your obedience to God’s call and your unrelenting commitment to the work of the Kingdom,” he said.
“Through your leadership, the Night of Mercy has become a sanctuary of hope, transforming lives and realigning destinies.”
The governor encouraged worshippers to remain steadfast in their faith, adding that the government would continue to support programmes that promote peace, moral upliftment, and community development.
“Our journey of transformation — spiritual, social, and economic — is a shared one,” he said.
“With God’s help and your partnership, Lagos will continue to flourish as a centre of peace, unity, and divine possibility.”
He prayed that God’s mercy and blessing would rest upon all attendees and their families.
Earlier, Pastor Amos Fenwa explained that the Night of Mercy was birthed 16 years ago with a divine mandate to take the gospel beyond church walls, bringing hope to unbelievers and those seeking comfort.
He recalled that the maiden edition was held at the National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos, while subsequent editions were scaled down during the COVID-19 pandemic.
“Now we are back to a stadium setting. In the face of global and national challenges — economic hardship, insecurity, and unemployment — the Night of Mercy provides spiritual succour and an opportunity for salvation and life transformation,” he said.
Pastor Fenwa expressed faith that this year’s edition would produce a remarkable spiritual impact.
“We trust God to win at least a thousand souls tonight. When lives are transformed, the nation enjoys more peace and less trouble,” he added.
The 16th Night of Mercy concluded with intense worship, prayers, and prophetic declarations, leaving many attendees testifying of renewed hope and divine visitation.
When Professor Gary S. Maxey first developed a passion for the Spanish language as a young man in the United States, he had no idea that God was preparing him for a lifetime of cross-cultural ministry. Alongside his wife, Dr. Emma-Lou Maxey, he would preach hundreds of sermons in Spanish; endure the challenges of missionary life in Mexico. He eventually answered a divine call that would lead them across the Atlantic to Nigeria. Today, as the founder of the West African Theological Seminary (WATS) in Lagos, Maxey speaks to ADEOLA OGUNLADE, reflecting on decades of ministry marked by faith, obedience, and an unwavering commitment to equipping leaders for the gospel. Excerpts:
All Shaped By Language And Obedience
Unlike most missionaries who first receive a call and then struggle to learn a new language, Gary learned Spanish long before he imagined mission work. Inspired by a passionate Lutheran teacher, he became fluent and eventually preached his first sermon in Spanish while still in the U.S. Over time, nearly 500 of his early sermons were delivered in Spanish.
That fluency opened the door to missionary work in Mexico. “The missionaries dropped me in the bush and left me for weeks,” he recalled. “It was the best thing that could have happened. Every day I worked with people, and at night I preached. It was there that God revealed His plan—that I was not only to preach but to become a cross-cultural missionary for life.”
The journey was not without challenges. In 1969, Gary and Emma-Lou, with their infant daughter, attempted to enter Mexico with their possessions loaded in a van. Foreign missionaries were not officially welcomed, and their first attempt at the El Paso border failed. But at a second crossing, Gary decided to speak in fluent Spanish. The immigration officers hesitated—especially after learning from colleagues that he had earlier pretended not to know Spanish. Yet, by God’s providence, they were eventually allowed in.
“Those early years taught us faith, courage, and persistence,” Gary said. “Missionary work often means stepping into the unknown, trusting God for the outcome.”
A surprising turn toward Africa
Even as the Maxeys ministered across Latin America—in Mexico, Guatemala, Honduras, and El Salvador—Nigeria unexpectedly entered their story. Gary’s parents visited Nigeria in 1978 and returned with stories that ignited his curiosity. At first, he resisted, convinced that his calling was to Latin America. But for two years, the thought of Africa lingered.
A casual comment from a pastor friend—“I wish I could go to Nigeria”—unlocked clarity. Gary realised he didn’t need to feel guilty about his growing interest. Soon after, God confirmed Nigeria as their next mission field. Unknown to him, Emma-Lou had already sensed her call to Africa but had kept it quiet to avoid confusing him.
When the opportunity finally came, the church board—initially considering Gary’s brother for Nigeria—chose instead to send Gary and Emma-Lou. “You have no idea what a privilege it is to serve in the centre of God’s will,” Gary reflected. “There is no promotion higher than doing what God has called you to do.”
Three callings, one mission
Gary describes his life’s ministry in three stages of calling: to Preach – Rooted in Ephesians 3:8, his initial call to proclaim the gospel, to Missions – Affirmed in Mexico, where God set him apart as a cross-cultural missionary and to teach – Solidified through both experience and advanced studies, preparing him to train leaders.
After early years of hands-on evangelism and church planting, God redirected him back to academics. He pursued graduate and doctoral studies to prepare for his eventual role in theological education. “I learned the hard way never to abandon study while in ministry,” he warned. “Even in the field, remain a student.”
Nigeria and the legacy of WATS
Arriving in Nigeria, the Maxeys carried not only their passion for missions but also a vision for training pastors. That vision gave birth to West African Theological Seminary, now one of the largest non-denominational seminaries in the region. Through WATS, thousands of pastors and leaders have been equipped for ministry across Africa and beyond.
For Gary and Emma-Lou, the journey from Latin America to Lagos was not accidental—it was orchestrated. “Life is not about comfort or possessions,” he said. “The real question is: Am I doing the will of God? If the answer is yes, then there’s no greater joy.”
For Professor Gary S. Maxey, the call to missions has always been rooted in obedience, accountability, and faith. “We are apostles—in the sense that we are sent,” he explained. “And that means we need more than financial backing; we need prayer backing. Every missionary must be under authority and accountable to someone. That’s the biblical and historical concept of missions.”
Over more than four decades of cross-cultural ministry, Maxey and his wife, Dr Emma-Lou, have lived this principle. They have remained accountable to their sending church, their partners abroad, and the leaders they serve under in Nigeria. For him, obedience and humility are essential safeguards for anyone called to the Great Commission.
Learning to live cross-culturally
Missionary life came with humorous yet humbling lessons. Maxey recalled moments of cultural adjustment, like his early attempts to navigate Nigerian food markets or the night their maid shouted “The blood of Jesus!” while a leaking gas hose caught fire in their home. “We were all still learning how to live in a new culture,” he laughed. “God’s grace and the patience of those around us carried us through.”
Dr. Emma-Lou also shared her own journey of surrender. While preaching at New Beginnings International Church, she clearly sensed God’s voice directing her and her husband to Imala. “God said, ‘You’re going to Imala,’ and I had no idea how it would happen. But He confirmed it again and again, until eventually we packed up and went.”
For the Maxeys, true success is not measured by numbers but by obedience. “The most dangerous sin is independence from God,” Maxey reflected. “Salvation and sanctification are vital, but so is daily dependence on Him.”
He drew inspiration from missionaries like William Carey, who laboured for years with little visible fruit, yet planted seeds that blossomed long after their deaths. “Our part is to obey God and sow faithfully. The results are His to bring, in His time and for His glory.”
Maxey summed it up with Eugene Peterson’s phrase, “a long obedience in the same direction.” For him and Emma-Lou, that long obedience means continuing to live and serve in Nigeria until God calls them home.
Advice to next generation
Speaking to young believers considering missions, Maxey emphasised the need for clarity of calling. “The Great Commission requires cross-cultural ministry. It’s not easy, but it’s necessary if the unreached are to be reached. So get clear on your call. God’s voice may come in stages, as it did for me, but He will confirm it in time.”
He also urged deeper consecration. “At new birth, we surrender to God, but usually with limits. True consecration removes those limits and says, ‘God, I’ll do anything, go anywhere, and obey whatever You ask.’ When you pray that way, God can speak more specifically about where He wants you to go.”
Dr. (Mrs.) Emma-Lou Maxey: A missionary’s heart of humility and grace
While Professor Gary Maxey often recounts his journey of calling in stages, his wife, Dr. (Mrs.) Emma-Lou Maxey tells her story with a blend of humility and quiet strength. Unlike her husband, she never had a clear-cut “missionary call” in her youth. “My two older sisters used to tell me I’d be a missionary,” she recalled. “But I didn’t believe them. I kept praying, but I never felt I had that call myself.”
It wasn’t until Bible College that her path began to unfold. There, she met Gary—a young man known for his academic brilliance and piano playing. “At first, I thought he was just a bookworm,” she laughed. “But one workday, I saw him working hard alongside everyone else, and I thought, ‘Maybe this is the kind of man I could build a life with.’ When he asked me to marry him, I realised God’s hand was on his life. He was clearly called to be a missionary. That became my call too—marrying him and walking in obedience with him.”
Life carried by grace
Emma-Lou is quick to downplay any sense of personal worthiness. “I am not a missionary because I am worthy,” she insisted. “We are only here because of the blood of Jesus—His forgiveness, His righteousness, and His grace that helps us walk in the light. That’s why we serve. That’s why we keep going.”
She remembers the early days of arriving in Nigeria, when she and Gary were tasked with starting a Bible college. “We looked around and said, ‘This feels like Latin America—only the people’s skin is darker.’ There was a sense of familiarity. And with that, we embraced the privilege of helping to raise leaders, train men and women for holy living, and equip them to share the gospel with the unreached.”
Long before Nigeria, the Maxeys had laboured in Mexico. At one point, Gary considered starting an orphanage, but through prayer, both sensed God leading them differently. “We realised our call was not to care for children directly, but to train leaders who could multiply ministry,” Emma-Lou explained.
That conviction shaped their eventual mission in Nigeria. “Before we came here, Gary sat me and our four children down,” she recalled. “He told us, ‘We will not just be missionaries. We will also raise a missionary spirit in those we are training.’ That became our family mission—to multiply the vision of missions in the lives of others.”
A privilege, not a sacrifice
For Emma-Lou, the missionary journey has been more about transformation than sacrifice. “I am still learning, still broken, still changing,” she said softly. “But it is a privilege—an incredible privilege—to serve God in this way. To see leaders rise, to see lives touched, to witness the gospel spread—it’s not about us. It’s about Jesus being magnified.”
Her story, woven together with her husband’s, reflects a simple but profound truth: a mission is not built on human worthiness or personal ambition, but on surrender, obedience, and the overflowing grace of God.
