Foremost gospel singer, acclaimed for the 1996 masterpiece “Akanam Nkwe”, Princess Anne Inyang, is set to drop a hit single “You’re the Sunshine.”
The track, rendered in both Ibibio and English, is a fusion of the familiar and the fresh, blending highlife rhythms, talking drum symphonies, and contemporary production that bridges generations of listeners.
In a recent chat with newsmen, the ace singer said the highly anticipated song will be released on August 30 on major music streaming platforms, including Spotify, Apple Music, itune, YouTube Music, among others .
According to Princess Anne ,by infusing remixes with vibrant percussion and modern African sounds, she seeks to connect with audiences both young and older, without losing the melodic heart and lyrical weight that made her a household name over the years.
“I want to bring back the old way where gospel songs were known not just for rhythm, but for the power of their message,” she said.
Earlier in June 2025, she organised a huge live concert in Akwa Ibom State, particularly to raise funds towards the foundation and record new songs. Her new single, “You’re the Sunshine,” is one of those songs recorded, with the same depth of message that defined her earlier classics, with a focus on God’s love and faithfulness.
The brand new single and upcoming album promises to deliver new material while also reintroducing reimagined versions of her beloved hits.
The Akwa Ibom –born Gospel music maestro came to limelight in 1996 when she released “Akanam Nkwe”— the very first Ibibio language song to break into the mainstream music, becoming not only a nationwide anthem, but also a celebrated tune on global, stage echoing Akwa Ibom culture and language to the world.
The young gospel artiste then rewrote Nigeria’s music history with a song that no one expected to travel beyond the walls of her community but became a timeless anthem in churches, high profile events and concert halls.
Other songs originally written by her and popularly played worldwide are, “Things are getting better”, “God cannot lie”, “My Helper o!”, “You are worthy Lord,” and “ floodgates” to mention but a few.
These choruses remain timeless staples in choirs’ repertoires, sung effortlessly by congregations week after week.
In many ways, Princess Anne’s songs helped shape the sound of modern Nigerian gospel music, where worship and praise to God meet deep cultural identity.
However, to many, especially those who have not been following her work online, the Gospel music Princess had ‘stepped back from the spotlight.’
She however explained that her perceived break from music was not out of weariness but due to relocation first to the USA and later to Canada.
She had to adapt, make a living in order to fund the music, as she is not on any label in particular, a situation not peculiar to her only but to most immigrants.
According to her: “I had to strategise and adapt to a rapidly changing music landscape. The digital revolution came with opportunities and challenges.”
Away from the music stage, she poured her heart and time into humanitarian work through St. Anne’s Care Foundation, a charity she founded to serve the underserved communities in Nigeria and parts of Canada.
The foundation has organised free medical outreaches in remote villages across Nigeria, offering vital healthcare, food relief, clothing, and support for the elderly, children, and women. For Princess Anne, music and service have always been inseparable — both tools for healing and hope.
Her journey from breaking cultural barriers in the 1990s to returning with global sounds in 2025 is a reminder that true artistry never fades; it only evolves.
As she takes this bold step into a new chapter, Princess Anne Inyang stands both as a legend of Nigerian gospel music and as a resilient artiste/ Gospel music minister, determined to keep her voice relevant for this generation.
Blindness is more than the loss of sight—it is often the loss of livelihood, dignity, and access to basic opportunities. Across Nigeria, thousands of men and women live in darkness, struggling daily with discrimination, poverty, and neglect, yet holding on to hope for a better tomorrow. From a bus driver-turned-beggar to a veteran journalist cut off the newsroom, and a once-thriving businessman who now depends on his wife for survival, their stories, as captured by Adeola Ogunlade in this piece, are of daily struggles -hidden and open, laced with appeals for better treatment both by society and governments.
I used to sew for the President – Emmanuel Shomefun
At 69, Shomefun Emmanuel still remembers the day his life changed forever. A commercial bus driver and former fashion designer, Emmanuel lost his sight after a canister of teargas was fired into his vehicle during a protest in 2015. What began as a painful eye condition gradually worsened until 2019, when he became completely blind.
“I was driving passengers from (Sango) Tollgate to Oshodi that day when the teargas landed inside my bus,” he recalled with a shaky voice. “Thereafter, I began a prolonged battle with my eyes. They said it was glaucoma. By 2019, I lost my sight completely. Doctors told me something could still be done, but I had no help.”
Once a tailor, Emmanuel takes pride in the clothes he made during his active years. “I used to sew for many people, even for President Bola Tinubu when he was governor of Lagos in 1999. If my memory serves me well, I sewed at least five clothes for him back then. He never wore the same outfit twice,” he said with a faint smile, followed by a deep sigh.
Now, blindness has forced him and his wife, Adesanya, 47, into a life of daily struggle for survival. “We have no helper. We beg to eat. To pay rent, electricity bills or school fees for our children is a challenge. We have four children, and our neighbours are the ones who often support us,” Emmanuel said, wiping away tears.
Unfortunately, Adesanya also went blind three years ago after a strange breeze carried dirt into her eyes. She explained how difficult life has become for them as a couple living in total darkness. “When we wake up, we don’t know whether it is morning or night. We just depend on God. Even the food we eat, we can tell how healthy they are. To move around, we grope in the dark. Sometimes, we get injured.
Emmanuel recently hit his head on one of the kitchen cabinet. “It was so painful. Though, I know the in and out of my room and parlour apartment, I still need help to move around the house,” he recalled, showing this reporter the spot.
Despite their condition, the couple insists that their love for each other remains strong. Emmanuel gently held his wife’s hand during the interview. “Our love is intact. We still have fun as husband and wife, even in our darkness,” he said with a smile that appeared to soften his grief.
Their biggest worry, however, is the future of their children. The eldest is nine, while the youngest is just four. Although they once enrolled them in public schools, they later switched to private education. “In the public school they once attended, classes had over 120 pupils. When my children came home, they smelled so badly because of overcrowding,” Emmanuel explained. “Now we pay ₦10,000 per term in a private school, but even that is a huge burden.”
Public transportation has also been a source of humiliation. Although the Lagos State Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) scheme allows visually impaired persons to ride for free, Emmanuel says operators often treat them poorly. “Sometimes, they tell us not to enter until sighted people have boarded. Other times, they refuse to let us stand inside the bus. We may be blind, but we are not mad. We deserve dignity,” he lamented.
Despite his struggles, Emmanuel holds on to hope, hope that government, kind-hearted Nigerians, or organisations will come to their aid. “Doctors said I can still see again if I get treatment. But we have no money. What keeps us alive is faith. The Bible says the just shall live by faith. That is what I am holding on to,” he said.
Shomefun Emmanuel and his wife, Adesanya, recalled how their ordeal began with multiple hospital visits after their eyesight began to fail. “We went to hospitals when the whole thing started. We were referred to different hospitals and drugs were prescribed, but there was no money to treat our ailing eyes when it was needed most,” they said.
Despite the setbacks, they remain firm in their resolve to keep living. “We want to counsel blind people not to give up, because death is not the end of the world. However, the way sighted people treat us is not humane enough. Sometimes the discrimination makes it seem as if we should just go and commit suicide. It is a societal flaw that blind people are inhumanly treated,” Emmanuel lamented.
Yet, their faith in God has not dimmed. “We are not deterred, neither are we dismayed. We were not born blind and thus we will not give up. God can turn the tide around for us and give back our sight.”
Empower, not pity
When asked what government could do, Emmanuel was clear: “Empowerment, not pity. What the government can do is to empower physically challenged persons and blind people. There are many educated blind people who, if given opportunities, can be productive citizens. Names of visually impaired persons should be included in the federal government’s social register and stipends should be provided for them.”
The couple recounted their recent struggle for survival. “Last Friday, we went to a Jummaat prayer at a mosque on Lagos Island to beg for alms, where we got ₦2,000. Meanwhile, we were supposed to pay our bus transportation back to Meiran where we live and still feed from it. For how long are we going to live like that? All we need is empowerment, not just pity,” Emmanuel stressed.
Their story is one of resilience but also a call to action; a reminder that behind every blind beggar on the street lies a life that could be transformed with compassion, dignity, and opportunity.
From newsroom to darkness: Story of a visually-impaired journalist fighting for a second chance
For Mr. Kerry Osunde, journalism was not just a profession, it was life itself. From his early days at Observer Newspaper in Benin, to Daily Times, The Guardian, and the now-defunct Resources Magazine, Osunde built a career rooted in words, deadlines, and the passion to inform the public. But today, the once vibrant journalist finds himself battling blindness, a cruel twist of fate that has cut short a career he dearly loved and left him navigating an uncertain future.
“I wasn’t born blind,” Osunde said firmly, as though refusing to be defined by his condition. “If I had been born blind, I would never have worked in those media houses. It was glaucoma. At first, I thought it was cataract that could be operated on, but doctors told me it was glaucoma. They said the surgery was risky 50-50 and advised me to keep using eye drops instead.”
Those drops, however, come at a steep price: ₦10,000 for a month’s supply, with costs expected to rise to ₦15,000 soon. “The ophthalmologist said I should even buy 20 bottles at once and keep them, but where will the money come from?” he asked, his voice breaking. “If I stop, the pain and the headaches are unbearable. I don’t pray for anybody, even my enemies to go through what I am going through.”
A career interrupted
For decades, Osunde’s bylines appeared in Nigeria’s most reputable news outlets. He recalls with pride the days of Lagos Weekend, the excitement of newsroom chatter, and the deadlines that kept adrenaline pumping.
“I used to be an editor. I knew the situation on the ground. Journalism was my world,” he said. But when glaucoma struck eight years ago, everything changed. “I found myself in Lagos with nothing. No newsroom. No stories. Just darkness.”
Yet, Osunde refuses to give up. Instead of resigning to despair, he is seeking ways to rebuild his life through education. His dream is to attend a school for the blind where he can relearn communication skills and adapt to assistive technologies that would allow him to return to electronic media.
But the cost is overwhelming. “Private blind schools charge about ₦400,000. I cannot afford it. I cannot even afford to send my own daughter—who is very intelligent, more intelligent than me—to a tertiary institution. Where will I find ₦400,000 for myself?” he asked.
Some colleagues and well-wishers have stepped in, offering occasional support. Stations like Wazobia FM, and friends who knew him from his newsroom days, have raised money for his eye drops and daily needs. But Osunde insists such assistance is not sustainable. “They cannot keep helping me forever,” he admitted.
Despite the challenges, Osunde carries an unbroken spirit. He speaks with the conviction of a man determined not to let blindness rob him of dignity or purpose. “My plan is to go to school, learn, and return to electronic media. With God’s grace, I can still contribute. I know I can.”
For him, every day is a battle between despair and hope. His faith keeps him going. “The just shall live by faith,” he said quietly, before adding with a wry smile, “I used to write stories that gave people hope. Now I’m living mine.”
Osunde, a graduate with a diploma in journalism, refuses to see blindness as a limitation — yet he insists that without stronger government support, many in his condition are denied the opportunity to live independent and dignified lives. He emphasised the urgent need for broader access to education for the blind across Nigeria’s 36 states (and the Federal Capital Territory). Currently, only a handful of specialised schools exist, leaving many visually impaired people with little or no access to formal learning.
“They should create more schools of the blind in different states,” he said. “Imagine if every state had a functional school for the blind—many more would get an education and a chance at life.”
Beyond education, Osunde stresses the importance of economic empowerment. Too many visually impaired Nigerians, he noted, are forced into street begging due to lack of support structures.
“I don’t want to beg. I am a graduate,” he said firmly. “The government should financially empower blind people who are willing to work. Not all of us want handouts — some of us just need opportunities.”
His words reveal both pride and pain. Despite his qualifications, Osunde has faced difficulties finding meaningful work. His situation has also affected his family life.
“Love life has been tough. Sometimes, my wife just roasts corn so that we can eat once or twice a day,” he said, a touch of resignation in his voice.
Still, Osunde remains hopeful that his advocacy will spark action. He believes education, vocational training, and financial support programmes for the visually-impaired could transform lives across Nigeria.
“My prayer is that nobody else should encounter what I and others like me have faced,” he added quietly.
For Osunde and thousands of visually impaired Nigerians, the plea is simple: open more doors, not just one.
His wife, Peace Osunde, admitted that the burden has been overwhelming. “It’s not easy,” she said, fighting back tears. “Crossing the street alone is a struggle for him. Feeding the family is another. Sending our children to school is almost impossible. Sometimes, even those who used to help us have stopped. But we keep managing.”
The couple’s two children, aged 13 and 16, are bright but face uncertainty with their education. Osunde is especially worried about his daughter who excelled in her WAEC exams but risks being stranded because of lack of funds. “She is more intelligent than me,” he said with pride. “But if I can’t afford ₦400,000 for private blind school for myself, how do I pay for her tertiary education?”
I now live not knowing whether it’s day or night – businessman, Ogechi
For Ohenatu Ogechi, life changed forever in 2014. Once a thriving businessman dealing in electronics and electrical appliances, the father of many children now battles the daily reality of blindness, an unexpected condition that turned his world upside down.
“I wasn’t born blind,” Ogechi began his voice heavy with emotion. “It all started like something small, like ants entering my eyes. I thought it was nothing serious. I never knew it would bring me to this condition.”
After several surgeries in Onitsha and Lagos, the situation only worsened. His thriving business collapsed, his children’s education became uncertain, and despair nearly consumed him. “I even wanted to kill myself,” he admitted. “But I thank God for my wife. She and the children have been my strength.”
Coping with darkness
Since losing his sight, daily life has been a struggle. Ogechi can no longer differentiate between day and night. “Without the sun, I don’t know whether it’s day or night. It has been very, very bad. Honestly, I’m not happy.”
He does not use a white cane. Instead, he relies on his children, especially during school holidays, to guide him around. “If my children are in school, I stay indoors. If they are around, one of them follows me out.”
His wife, whom he met during his trading days, shoulders much of the family burden, managing a small business to keep food on the table. “What has helped me is not me—it’s my wife, Iheanacho” he said simply.
Beyond the personal loss, Ohenatu feels robbed of opportunities to better his life through education. He recalls once considering enrollment in a school for the blind but could not afford the fees. Later, he was disheartened to learn that the school had been shut down.
“When I heard the school was closed, I was very annoyed. Instead of government expanding such schools, they shut it down. Many blind people are uneducated, and are just wasting away. If I had attended that school, maybe I could have been more—like some blind doctors, lawyers, or presenters I know.”
Despite the difficulties, Ogechi remains determined not to beg. “I am not a beggar. I don’t like to ask people to ‘give me.’ What I need is empowerment—a business I can do to provide for my family. My sight is gone, but my hands, my brain, and my body are still working. If I’m given the opportunity, I can do anything that will bring money to the table.”
His greatest wish is to regain financial independence and provide for his children’s education. “If I go back to business, I won’t have to depend on people. I just want something to do.”
Hope amid Struggles
Though the weight of his blindness leaves him broken at times, Ogechi still speaks with quiet faith. He is hopeful that society, government, and well-meaning individuals will recognise the plight of persons with disabilities like him and extend support—not as charity, but as empowerment.
“Life is not easy for us,” he said. “But if given a chance, I believe I can still live a meaningful life.”
It’s my cross; I’m ready to carry it – Ohenatu’s wife
Fifteen years ago, when Mrs. Iheanacho Ogechi from Anambra State married her husband, life seemed set on a steady path. She was a young woman with dreams, trading in foot wears to support her household, while her husband worked hard to build a future for them. Nothing prepared her for the drastic turn that would change her family’s life forever.
“My husband didn’t have a disability when we married,” she says softly, her voice steady but weighted with memory. “It wasn’t like this. But when it happened, I told myself, it’s my cross. I’m ready to carry it.”
Today, Ogechi lives with a disability that has reshaped the family’s journey. For his wife, it has meant stepping into a role she never anticipated: caregiver, breadwinner, and unwavering pillar of support.
Carrying the weight with grace
Ogechi admits coping hasn’t been easy. For a time, she left her small trading business to focus on her family’s survival. “Some people help us, by the grace of God,” she explains. “But I’m ready to take care of my family, no matter what. If I get financial support, I can go back to my business. That’s what I know how to do.”
Although her education ended at secondary school, her resilience has been her greatest qualification. She once ran a modest business, buying and reselling footwear. For her, restarting that business is not just about income—it’s about dignity, stability, and giving her children a sense of normalcy.
Asked how the incident has affected her marriage, Mrs. Ogechi paused, and then smiled faintly. “It makes me to have more power and faith. Sometimes when I look at my husband, I say, wow… as long as God keeps him alive and strong, who am I to question Him? He is a human being like me, not less. So I have to be there for him.”
In those words lie the quiet strength of a woman who has chosen love over despair, faith over bitterness. Her story is not just about hardship, but about the resilience of a marriage tested by unforeseen challenges and sustained by compassion.
Like many caregivers in Nigeria, Mrs. Ogechi represents an often overlooked reality—the silent sacrifices of women who put aside personal ambitions to care for their families in times of crisis. With the right support—financial, social, and emotional—she could revive her business and regain the stability she once knew.
For now, she holds on to her faith. “This is my cross,” she repeats. “And I will carry it.”
Two young entrepreneurs, Fawole Folajimi and Oluwadare Precious have clinched a N500,000 business grant each at the EMERGE 2025 summit in Lagos, where the future of artificial or emotional intelligence took center stage.
The annual event, powered by The Peak Performer (TPP) Africa, drew more than 2,000 participants from across the country.
Folajimi, a serving NYSC corps member in Lagos, and Oluwadare, a fashion entrepreneur from Akure, impressed judges with bold solutions in a high-stake business pitch competition.
From Abuja to Lagos, the summit convened young innovators, thought leaders and National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members under the theme: “21st Century Intelligence: Artificial or Emotional?”
Dr. Abiola Salami, founder of TPP Africa and convener of EMERGE, challenged participants to see technology as a tool, not a replacement.
“Artificial Intelligence can teach machines to think. Emotional Intelligence teaches humans to matter. The future requires both,” he said.
According to Dr. Salami, EMERGE bridges the gap between machine intelligence and human insight, aligning it with the theme of this year’s International Youth Day.
“We are building a culture of excellence whether in business, the workplace, or in personal life. No matter where you are, you can commit to excellence,” Salami noted.
U.S. Consul General, Rick Swart, represented by Acting Public Affairs Officer Raisa Dukas, applauded Salami’s commitment to youth empowerment, describing EMERGE as “a transformational program focused on equipping Nigerian youth with Emotional Intelligence, career mastery, entrepreneurial mindset, and personal growth.”
“Conferences like these are vital platforms for exchanging ideas, building networks and inspiring action,” Dukas said.
She clarified that the central question is not whether Artificial Intelligence or Emotional Intelligence is more important, but how best to integrate both to shape a better future.
Panels and masterclasses explored how Emotional Intelligence (EI) can guide the responsible use of Artificial Intelligence (AI).
Participants selected from three breakout sessions including ‘The inner skills that make you relevant anywhere’, ‘Startups in the age of AI’, and ‘How to understand and manage your emotions’.
These were facilitated by thought leaders including Robert Agwu, Chinenye Onuorah, Adedayo Adejokun, Ibukun Osoba, Nnaemeka Eze, Yejide Taiwo, Tosin Adeyemi, and Ifunanya Eze.
The first panel session—titled “AI, automation and the Nigerian Youth: What robots can’t do, you must master”—challenged participants to recognize the unique human skills required to thrive in an increasingly automated world.
The panelists are Paul Ehiagbonare, Chief Digital Officer, Accion Micro Finance Bank Limited; Victoria Uwadoka, head, Corporate Communications, Public Affairs and Sustainability at Nestlé Nigeria; Kemi Shonubi, Director of People, Culture, Experience, and Operations at TVC Communications and David Brown, CEO, DBrown Analytics Solutions.
EMERGE 2025, experts explored the future of work, stressing that creativity, empathy, and ethics will remain key differentiators for humans in an era of automation.
During the second panel session, Prof. Peter Obadare, Nigeria’s first Certified Chief Artificial Intelligence Officer; Mojisola Ologe, Chief Risk & Compliance Officer at Hydrogen Payment Services Ltd.; and Titi Oshodi, Special Adviser to the Lagos State Governor, discussed the theme “Japa or Stay? The Inner Skills That Make You Relevant Anywhere.” The panel emphasized that while opportunities may vary across locations, adaptability and inner skills remain universal assets.
Another speaker, Uwadoka, highlighted the importance of integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) with Emotional Intelligence (EI), explaining that while AI provides speed, analysis, and automation, EI drives context, purpose, and direction. “AI is the co-pilot, not the pilot. It’s a tool, not a replacement for human input,” she noted.
Ehiagbonare added that purpose must remain central, urging participants to become problem-solvers and solution-builders. “Sight is important to see ahead. AI can do many things, but it’s our vision and relevance that set us apart,” he said.
Sunday, August 17, 2025 didn’t bear any foreboding omen. But my world turned blue when at exactly 11:07 am, that morning, I received a call. Sam Anokam, our Lagos State House of Assembly Correspondent was on the other end.
“Damola, how you dey?” he began. His voice was faint and shaky. I retorted, “Oga Sam, I dey fine o, how your side?” I responded.
“You don check Nation Chatroom,” he queried. “No, wetin dey happen?” I fired back.
The Nation Chatroom, by the way, is a Whatsapp platform for The Nation Newspapers staff members.
“Your friend…,” he paused. “Which of my friends?” I asked with mixed feelings.
“Evelyn…”, he paused again. At this time I became apprehensive, “Wetin happen!” I boomed. “She don go,” he replied. “Go where?” I asked.
Finally, he said, with grief colouring his voice: “She don die!”
“Haa, wetin do am, oh, I been wan call am o….God!,” I responded with shock, my head ten times heavy.
Before I knew it, Anokam had hung up. He could not bear the weight of the sad exchange.
Still like I was in dreamland, I hit the Chatroom, and behold, comments after comments were streaming in, following an announcement of her demise minutes earlier by her immediate boss and head of the Arts Desk, Mr. Ozolua Uhakheme. That was when it dawned on this writer that Evelyn Osagie had truly departed our sinful world.
Just like the Irish songstress, Enya, in one of her songs, crooned: “Pilgrim how you journey on the road you chose to find out how the winds die and where the sun is gone…you cannot change what is over, but only where you go…” Alas! We are pilgrims on a journey, and when the hour cometh, nothing can change it. All the wealth in the world cannot buy the Grim Reaper’s sickle.
I feel some guilt. I had planned to call Evelyn, a senior colleague and close confidante to ask about her health, but I kept procrastinating. Weeks earlier, we had spoke at length about her noticeable absence. She informed me about how she took a medication that almost damaged her entire system. I told her to stop it. She told me she had dispatched it to the bin. Learning of her death is a bitter pill extremely difficult to swallow.
The first time I had close contact with the woman I called “Woman Editor” in the newsroom, she addressed me as “Mr. Dare”, and I almost guffawed. She wanted me to do something for her. She was a synonym for rare humility despite her inspiring exploits in the journalistic firmament.
Most times she writes her weekly column “Women Corner” on Tuesday, the same time I am also in the middle of my production. She would break down the entirety of the week’s installment and ask me what I made of it, or she would even ask me to critique the piece. “Who am I to tie your shoelaces, “Woman Editor?”, I would ask. But in a rare show of humility that gets me scratching my head, she would insist.
At one time, she wrote on something that had some religious colourations, and still sought my view. I quickly reminded her of the Isioma Daniel brouhaha in THISDAY that sparked outrage back in early 2000s. She thanked me and expunged the part.
Evelyn dreamed dreams. Her box of dreams was loaded to the hilt. She has unfinished business. A truckload of plans in the pipeline. O death, why art thou so cruel?
It will be an understatement to say I will miss her. In fact, her demise already leaves a huge hole in my heart. We had fertile exchanges ranging from the arts to politics, culture to technology and what have you. Most times after her production on Tuesday, she observes her off day on Wednesday; and on such days, I sit alone, not having anyone to converse with. The sitting arrangement, which had me sitting face to face with her left me with no option but to silently miss her on such days. But now, Evelyn Osagie is gone forever. The passing of such a star makes us poorer not only in The Nation newspapers, but in the art world and the nation at large. O lovely sister, “Women Corner”, the chapter is over?
A super-talent of a personality, committed award-winning journalist, poet of the rarest breed; her warm, congenial and free spirit was a motivation. The day she met my wife, she greeted her warmly and said: “Thank you for taking care of my brother.” That was why when I broke the news to my wife on the phone, she nearly collapsed.
According to Yoruba tradition, Sunday is “Ojo aiku” (day of survival), but the Grim Reaper decided to take Evelyn Osagie that very day. It didn’t tarry; it gave no room for a 50th birthday party. Talk of sunset before sunset.
What a life of mystery! The Grim Reaper chose to pluck away our poet on a day a self-proclaimed military president ironically rejoiced and thanked the Almighty as he clocked 84. But God knows the best. May the rest of us have lengthy years.
A rare mix of artistry and activism, her legacy in poetry, literature, journalism and cultural advocacy would be preserved in the pantheon of history. She has, through her strides, written her name in the folklore of activist-journalists who seek all round change.
Your good deeds, I know, will not be interred with your bones. They will continue to speak for you, they will continue to lighten your path, they will illuminate your tombstone, they will preserve your eternal bed. Goodnight to a good friend and sister, Evelyn Osagie.
Last Wednesday would go down in the annals of the history of the Yoruba-speaking tribe of Southwest Nigeria as a red letter day indeed.
The reason for this is not farfetched: everywhere from Isale Eko, Papa Alanto in Abeokuta, Osun, Oyo, and other communities were all astir for Isese Day!
The Palace of Alagbado of Agbado, Oba Adedayo Ishola Shyllon Shogbolu in Agbado, Ifo Local Government area of Ogun State for instance, was agog with activities as different culture groups drawn from far and near were united in merriment, conviviality and ecstasy of some sorts. It was sans culture all the way!
Conceptualised with both young and old traditional enthusiasts clad in white linen and Ankara fabrics, the event exuded free-spirited vibes, complemented by captivating live performances of masquerades, who showcased their dexterities in changing to different costumes to the amazement of audience, adding a splash of colour to the festival.
The event also saw participation from Idin-Amileke Temple and Centre of Ancestral Knowledge, who filed in unison into the palace with the Temple’s Creed and traditional blessings for Oba Shyllon Shogbulu heralded commencement of the memorable day.
In a unanimous submission, traditional worshippers described Isese Festival at the event as, not merely a religious practice, but a holistic way of life rooted in the wisdom of Yoruba forebears anchored on prayers, offerings, and divination.
Speaking at the event, the Alagbado of Agbado kingdom, Oba Adebayo Ishola Shyllon Shogbulu noted that Isese is a cultural compass that calls all Yoruba sons and daughters worldwide to purpose, resilience, and the fulfillment of their destinies.
Oba Shogbulu who in a gratitude glow thanked the Governor of Ogun State, Prince Dapo Abiodun and his counterparts in Lagos and Oyo States for declaring 20th August 2025 a public holiday to allow traditional worshippers enjoy the festival, urged other Southwest governors to emulate the good gesture.
The monarch who prided himself as a champion of Isese even before he became king, tasked other Yoruba traditional rulers still lagging behind to have a rethink, saying every Yoruba son and daughter born under a culture and tradition.
“When Oduduwa, our forefather, was on earth, he was neither a Muslim nor a Christian. The kingmakers who are selecting monarchs in Yorubaland are also neither a Muslim nor Christian, so why do we now bend on changing our inheritance? Those things were there before we were made the custodian of culture and tradition, and nobody was forced to become an Oba.
“Other religions are brought to us by foreigners; they are not our religion. And because they do not originally belong to us, that’s why there is always a religious crisis in Africa”, he opined.
The royal father also sued for peace over the recent supremacy battle between Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Abimbola Akeem Owoade and Ooni of Ife, Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, saying the action of Alaafin towards Ooni was a distortion of history.
“Ooni of Ife is the head and the custodian of our tradition. Yes, we all agree that Oyo is the political headquarter of Yoruba, Ife remains the cradle of Yorubaland and it’s not possible that a grandchild would be competing with his grandfather”, he submitted.
Also speaking at the event, the Olu of Olomowewe kingdom, Oba Shofela Olalekan Tunde regretted that Yorubas have abandoned their culture and tradition for foreign religion.
He called on other Royal fathers in Yorubaland to emulate Alagbado in the manner he celebrates Isese Festival, to safeguard the culture and tradition of Yoruba from going into extinction.
In her own submission, the former Vice chairman of Agbado/Oke-Aro LCDA, Hon. Mrs Olagunju Oluwatoyin Adebo called on all descendants of Oduduwa home and abroad to protect their culture and tradition which is their inheritance.
She thanked the Governor of Ogun State Prince Dapo Abiodun for declaring the day a work free day to enable people to celebrate the Isese Festival.
For Amb. Olayemi Paul, who could not hold himself from rolling his waist to the rhythmic sound of ‘Iya-ilu’ and ‘bata’ drumming for Olorisas, is the nostalgic pleasure of traditional festivals which many have forgotten that Isese has relived in him.
Yappy as he is fondly called, said neglecting culture and tradition has taken away so many values from Yorubas and Africans by extension.
He urged all Yorubas, especially the upcoming generation, to embrace Isese as a collective responsibility to lift their culture and tradition and showcase it to the world.
Apostle Ivan Parker, President of the Apostolic Church in the United Kingdom, shares his insights on the global growth of the Apostolic Church, particularly in Africa. He sat down with ADEOLA OGUNLADE at the recently concluded Apostolic Church Africa Leaders’ Conference held in Lagos, Nigeria, where the theme was ‘Building the Church with God’s Word.’ In this interview, Parker discusses the church’s growth, the significance of Nigeria and Africa in the Apostolic Church movement, and the challenges the UK church faces, including the rise of liberal views on controversial issues such as homosexuality.
Your time here in Nigeria has been quite an experience. What’s your overall impression of the Nigerian Church, or the African Church as a whole?
My impression-So, as a little boy, I grew up in the Apostolic Church, and I heard many stories of the Apostolic Church here in Nigeria. Nigeria is a mission field from the United Kingdom, and we were told how it had grown and flourished. So, I have waited a long time. I’m an old man now. I am happy to get here for the first time, to come to Nigeria and to see with my own eyes. You hear reports, but to come and see with my own eyes how blessed we are as a movement of churches around the world, to have such a strong church in Nigeria.
Having traveled to various countries across Africa and listened to the diverse experiences and challenges shared by speakers at this conference, how would you describe the growth and influence of the African Church, particularly the Apostolic Church movement, across the continent?
Nigeria is one of many nations that I visited in Africa. When I travel to Apostolic Churches in whatever nation, I know I am with my family. We are a unique movement, and it doesn’t make us any more special than any other movement. We are not anymore, and we are not any less.
We are who we are by the grace of God. But we know we are family. In a way, we are looking to really capitalise on that sense of family, to really strengthen the bonds, and to see what that looks like for us missionaries. It’s very important for us. Today, we live in a global space, not just in villages or towns or cities, even countries. Particularly, Nigeria and Ghana are now global. So, together with the other nations around the world, 115 nations around the world have Apostolic Churches. That is increasing every year because of that global reach. We believe we can ramp that up and do it with more reach and influence together. Together, we are stronger.
Reflecting on the history of the Apostolic Church in Nigeria, what is your perspective on how the church has grown and flourished, especially now that it is independent from the UK church?
We are in its family. Nigeria’s success is our success. Our success is their success. There is no us and them. It’s just us. We are family. So, if you take our passion to bell the globe with the gospel and the vision of the Apostolic Church. Just in Nigeria alone, in the first 50 years, we sent 40 different missionaries to this nation. So, you can imagine that it is not just human resources. That is financial resource, prayer, so much. We have given our best. And it is true that in the UK, we are small in comparison. But I believe that God is no man’s debtor. And we didn’t just throw our money into the wind. We invested it wisely. And we have seen a great return, and to see this flourishing church here and in other nations around the world. The Apostolic Church in the United Kingdom is now blessed by other nations coming to the UK. And our churches are growing, in terms of people coming to the UK and joining our churches from other apostolic nations. But also, there is a move of God, which you may not have heard of, called the Quiet Revival, now in the UK. And it has been for about two years. We have a very negative media towards the church in the UK. It has very pro-liberal and anti-Christian values. And so, they will tell you that the church is in decline. Now, it is true that some elements of the church are in decline, most especially the established church. The established church seems to have lost its way, in terms of its understanding of biblical principles that they have now shifted from. And it is going to cost them dearly. But evangelical and Pentecostal churches are all growing, particularly Pentecostal churches. In fact, the Pentecostal church, you know, is the fastest-growing movement in the world. Just to give you some perspective on the Apostolic Church. In 1916, when our forefathers met together, they were a handful of people in a room that came together. Because God had brought them together, God spoke. They listened. And they stepped in. They had small resources, little experience but with great passion and a vision that God had given them. And that spread right across the world. And that was in a little place in Wales. Not far from where I live. Very small, little village. And it’s there. You see, God takes small things. And he can do incredible things. Like loaves and fishes. And so, for us as a nation. We may feel like little loaves and fishes. But he can multiply us very quickly. And we just know that God wants to do something special.
You must have heard about Father Sydney Elton who came to Nigeria as a missionary with the Apostolic Church and left the movement?
Yes, and he wasn’t the only one—several fathers also separated during the Latter Rain Movement. But honestly, there isn’t much difference between us. Most times, when we see separations and splits like that, it’s often because we lack the maturity to hold on to one another. The Lead Coordinator of The Apostolic Church, Africa, Apostle Dr. Aaron Ami-Narh warned about these divisions, and rightly so, because they are dangerous.
We sometimes love the idea of being dynamic and relational, but if we neglect accountability, that becomes risky. In our family of churches, we are not only highly relational and dynamic, but also deeply accountable to one another. That accountability safeguards everyone. The Apostolic Church remains a safe place to belong.
The UK church faces challenges with liberal ideologies, particularly on controversial issues like homosexuality. How does the Apostolic Church navigate this?
The United Kingdom has changed its laws and is quite explicit on these issues. As evangelical churches, we are part of the Evangelical Alliance—a network with some of the finest legal minds, communicators, and strategists who influence government. While we haven’t been able to prevent certain legislation, there are safeguards in place—thanks to the work of the Evangelical Alliance—that protect our position as Bible-believing churches. But we are not there to protect the rights of the church. We are there to proclaim the gospel. We are not trying to defend. We are trying to promote. And although we will do what we can to stand against these things, our main job is to just keep telling people about Jesus and to model the life of Christ in the individual and in the body of Christ. That is way more attractive. Even now, today, I talked to you about the quiet revival. Young people are coming in droves to the church.
Because they know there is no authenticity in what is being promoted by the government. Many of them are confused, anxious, and struggling with identity and so when they come to church and encounter Christ, all those things are put right. They become children of the living God. When they become Christians, they find authenticity, purpose, and destiny. And so that isn’t anything about us as individuals. That is about our God doing what he’s doing. It’s a sovereign move of God, the quiet revival. Not just in the apostolic church. But in so many evangelical and Pentecostal churches right across the UK.
The issue of homosexuality is a big topic, particularly in the UK. What is the Apostolic Church stance on this, and how do you handle such sensitive issues within the church community?
The Bible is clear. Yes, so we are not condemning people. We are all sinners. We are condemning the sin. We have to be really clear. Lots of people who lack maturity as Christians, they tend to want to come against something, want to come against Islam, and want to come against gay people. Listen, we are called to promote the gospel. We are called to love as Jesus loved. Not to condemn but to share the truth. It’s the truth that sets people free, not just any old truth. It’s the truth you know. And we need to know the truth. The way and the life and his name is Jesus Christ.
Speaking in Lagos recently during a press conference to mark the 60th Anniversary of the church, Rev. Owoyemi lamented the state of insecurity, leadership failures, and corruption in the country.
He criticized the government’s approach of granting amnesty and rehabilitation to bandits while citizens continue to suffer violence and hardship.
“The problem of this country lies in leadership and corruption,” he said. “Instead of addressing the hardship Nigerians are facing, politicians are already focused on the 2027 elections.”
The cleric, however, urged Nigerians to remain patient and prayerful, assuring that there is hope for the country despite its many challenges.
“If not for the grace of God, Nigeria would have been something else by now. Despite insecurity, poverty, and economic hardship, the country still stands as one nation. That alone shows that God is at work,” he stated.
Owoyemi acknowledged that reforms and government policies often come with temporary pain but maintained that the challenges would not last forever.
“You don’t grow up in a day, and you can’t feed a malnourished person at once without risking another problem. Adjustments take time, but with patience, the results will come,” he explained.
He appealed to church leaders and Christians across the country to continue praying for Nigeria and its leaders, noting that true transformation would require both divine intervention and honest leadership.
“Corruption is a dangerous cancer eating deep into Nigeria’s economy. The country is blessed with abundant resources, even more than some Western nations, but poor leadership and corruption have held us back. With God and the right leadership, Nigeria will be great again,” he affirmed.
Owoyemi, recounted the church’s growth over the past five years, describing it as a season of “tremendous expansion, divine help, and renewed vision
Among other achievements, the President listed the establishment of a Women’s Conference, which has impacted families and marriages positively; the creation of a student fellowship on tertiary campuses to mentor and guide young people; and the inauguration of the Solomon Amunia Yoshela Foundation, which supports widows, orphans, and the less privileged. He also noted that the church now runs a medical team at its conventions to provide healthcare to participants.
Looking ahead, UACC has set its sights on education. The President disclosed that plans are underway to establish a university named after the church’s first president, Rev. Solomon Amunia Yoshela. The proposed institution will be sited within a “United City” that will also house hospitals, lecture halls, and Christian meeting facilities
The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has, in its ongoing fight against the influx of fake and substandard regulated products, taken delivery of 16 containers of substandard and falsified pharmaceutical products imported through Onne Port and estimated to have a street value of N20.5 billion.
This is contained in a statement signed by the Agency’s resident Media consultant, Mr. Olusayo Akintola.According to the statement, the seized products were handed over at Onne Port, Port Harcourt, to the Director-General (NAFDAC), Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, by the Comptroller-General (Nigeria Customs Service) as part of the Institutional Collaborative Synergy between the two organisations.
The consignment consisted of 11 containers of various unregistered/banned pharmaceutical products as well as four containers of unwholesome tomato paste.
Among the various substandard regulated products seized were 1.3 million bottles of codeine syrup, ( a highly controlled prescription-only medicine), 12.6 million tablets of tramadol, a highly addictive prescription-only drug product used for the management of Post-Operative Pain in Adults, as well as 9.3 million tablets of substandard and falsified (branded) diclofenac tablets (A non-steroidal anti-inflammatory prescription drug used for the management of osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis).
Other regulated products seized include 280 packages of hyergra tablets, (a falsified brand of sildenafil citrate for the management of erectile dysfunction in men) as well as 4 containers of unregistered and substandard tomato paste.
While the Director-General (NAFDAC) commended the Comptroller-General of Customs and his team for joining the fight against the importation of illicit, substandard and unwholesome products, she sent a clear message to the importers and their collaborators in the illicit trade.
In her words, she “warned unscrupulous merchants both at home and abroad, that under our watch, substandard and fake food and drug products will not be allowed access to our people. Recent threats of death, kidnapping of our staff and other attempts to dampen our zeal will continue to fail, because God, as well as our people, are on our side.”
Adeyeye called on all well-meaning Nigerians to partner with NAFDAC by reporting all suspected cases of manufacture, importation, distribution or sale of fake and substandard products through NAFDAC’s offices nationwide or through the Agency’s various social media channels.
She highlighted the dangers of consumption of unwholesome products, which include: acute food poisoning & gastrointestinal illness from adulterants in expired food products; nutritional deficiencies & undermined food value; chronic organ damage from toxic metabolites and heavy metals in expired food.
She also said there was increased cancer risk from expired colourants, dyes and preservatives; allergic & respiratory reactions from hidden allergens or artificial additives, as well as food addiction & cognitive disruption from Expired Ultra‑Processed Foods (UPFs) engineered to be hyper‑palatable, high in sugar, fat, salt, etc.
Emphasising the need for strong institutional cooperation, she promised to continue to evolve new strategies towards partnering with well-meaning organisations and individuals to build a safer and healthier nation, noting that safeguarding the health of the nation is a collective responsibility which NAFDAC cannot possibly do alone.
The Big Brother Naija Season 10 now showing on screen witnessed “moments of joy” recently when Terra Cube unveiled the “House of Joy”, its vibrant digital home within the BBNaija universe.
Tagged, Meme O’Clock, it is a line between audience and housemate, making every laugh, every spark, and every twist a shared celebration of joy.
Participation is simple and accessible, as viewers are encouraged to spot a standout moment, screenshot it, and download the official House of Joy meme template from Terra’s Instagram page.
A key feature of the campaign is the weekly Terra House of Joy Leaderboard, which spotlights the top three memes based on creativity, resonance, and share ability. These winning entries are celebrated within the BBNaija community and rewarded with prizes, creating a healthy blend of competition and community.
Justifying the need for the initiative, Probal Bhattacharya, Chief Marketing Officer, TGI Group, emphasised that, “Being part of Big Brother Naija is more than just visibility for us; it is about curating an experience that feels authentic and engaging for both the housemates and the viewers. Every moment in the house is an opportunity to connect, to spark joy, and to build tasteful memories that live beyond the screen. Terra Cube is deeply invested in keeping the house alive with energy, laughter, and shared connections because our promise has always been to Unwrap Joy and Unleash Taste.”
In doing so, Terra Cube has not only preserved its legacy of unwrapping joy but expanded it, transforming spontaneous television entertainment into a nationwide, participatory cultural event.
Terra Seasoning Cube is made up of wholesome, carefully sourced essential ingredients specially designed to meet the discerning Nigerian consumers’ needs in every meal, offering great taste, flavour, and aroma for that unique cuisine experience. Every meal cooked with Terra guarantees an enjoyable meal and a rich signature homemade taste experience.
Buchi Johnson, the Founder/CEO of Lilvera Group, one the leading integrated marketing communication company in Nigeria, has been appointed into the 2025 Canadian Marketing Association (CMA) Awards jury as a judge.
According to the statement made available to the media, Buchi will be judging in the Customer Experience and Shopper Marketing category at the 59th edition of CMA Awards.
The Lilvera boss appointment comes on the back of his contributions, commitment and impact to the marketing industry both in Nigeria and Canada.
In a terse statement to announce Buchi’s appointment, CMA said that “He has earned the call based on his support and commitment to the marketing community. You have been appointed as a judge for the 2025 CMA Awards.
“Thank you so much for the support and commitment, the Awards would not be possible without you. We truly appreciate your time,” CMA added.
Buchi thanked the organisers for the honour and pledged his commitment towards the advancement of the industry.
He said; “I am, indeed, grateful and appreciative of the appointment. I will commit myself to this function and dedicate my time to judging these creative works that would be presented to us.
“I thank the Canadian Marketing Association for appointing me into the jury to judge some of the best works in the customer experience & shopper marketing category. This is an area that I am well conversant with even in Nigeria,” he said.
Buchi, who also set up Lilvera Sales, Marketing & Distribution in Canada is regarded as a think-tank in the experiential marketing industry in Africa.
He is a member of Experiential Marketers Association of Nigeria (EXMAN), and a certified advertising practitioner in Nigeria with Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON).
Buchi has been a vocal proponent of customer experience, shopper marketing and digital marketing, urging businesses to allocate a larger portion of their marketing budgets to experiential and digital channels.
He believes this is crucial for adapting to the changing dynamics of the global marketing landscape, especially in the post-pandemic era.
The 2025 CMA Awards is a premier celebration of Canada’s most innovative and impactful marketing. This annual event honours the work that not only elevates brand stories with creativity and insight, but also delivers measurable business success.
The awards would be held on November 7, 2025, at the Westin Harbour Castle in Toronto for a night that showcased the very best in Canadian marketing. From breakthrough campaigns to transformative strategies, the CMA Awards spotlight the people and ideas driving the industry forward.
