The Founder of Saint Emmanuel/ Ayo Ni O, Special Apostle Emmanuel Ogutuga, has emphasized that the key to accessing divine blessings lies in seeking God wholeheartedly.
Ogutunga made this remark in a statement issued to The Nation ahead of the church’s sixth adult harvest thanksgiving service, holding at Bode Thomas/Ogunlesi Street, Lagos.
He said, “God is the Creator of everything, and all blessings come from Him. To receive blessings from above, one must connect with God through prayer and fasting.”
He underscored the importance of fostering a personal relationship with God, comparing it to the bond between a child and their parents. “Every child draws blessings by staying close to their father or mother. Similarly, when we draw nearer to God, our needs are met before we even ask.”
Speaking on the challenges of hunger and economic hardship in the nation, Apostle Ogutunga urged Nigerians, especially the youth, to embrace hard work.
“Manna does not fall from heaven anymore; you have to work for it. The youth must abandon unproductive habits and focus on developing skills that will lead to success.”
Christian Community Church International recently provided essential food supplies to more than 800 families in Surulere, Lagos, as part of a significant outreach initiative aimed at supporting the local poor and vulnerable.
This charitable effort was a highlight of the church’s annual Impact convention, a three-day event hosted at its Lagos headquarters under the theme Power of Honor. The convention featured diverse events, including Bible teachings, prophetic ministry, praise and worship nights, a forum for singles and married couples, free medical tests and multiple community-focused initiatives.
The Senior Pastor and Founder of Christian Community Church International, Pastor Solomon Omotoso Aroboto, emphasized that the outreach aligns with the church’s core mission to reflect Christ’s love within the community.
“While our church invests in long-term empowerment initiatives, we also believe in showing people the tangible care of the church, mirroring Jesus’ love and compassion,” Pastor Aroboto remarked.
Aroboto highlighted the church’s guiding principles of Christ, Community, Compassionate Change. “Our mission is to be a compassionate force, bringing change wherever we are by caring for people spiritually and practically.
“Each year, we adopt a school in Surulere as part of our commitment to community growth and support.” he further explained, “Christianity calls us to support, uplift, and transform lives—not just through prayer and fasting, but through real, hands-on support.”
Addressing the growing conversation around mental health, Aroboto pointed to the church’s focus on sharing the gospel’s message of peace, hope, and belonging, particularly in a time when such support is crucial for many.
Arobotu further stressed the enduring influence of spiritual values, highlighting that these teachings continue to shape moral structure in Nigeria, particularly during challenging times. “The gospel, and our reverence for God, is what keeps us grounded as a nation,” he shared.
“Living a life of faith requires a certain fear and reverence for God, which is not easy but is essential for a balanced and moral society.”
Arobotu posited that the importance of maintaining faith in an evolving world underscores that even as society advances, the timeless teachings of spirituality provide a steady foundation and a vital source of guidance.
Pastor Evelyn Joshua, leader of the Synagogue Church of All Nations (SCOAN), has received multiple honours in Argentina following a transformative crusade and charity programme that deeply touched the nation’s poorest communities. The event, recognized as an initiative of public interest by various government bodies, brought spiritual revival and practical support to the region.
During the crusade in Resistencia, Chaco Province, Pastor Joshua was awarded the prestigious Key to the City by Mayor Abelardo Nokckich, symbolizing her status as an honorary citizen and a distinguished personality in the city. Additional accolades came from Mrs. Carmen Delgado Britto, President of the Chamber of Deputies of Chaco Province, who acknowledged the crusade as a landmark event officially recognized by provincial law. The Governor of Chaco, Mr. Leandro Zdero, also extended commendations, underscoring the event’s positive impact on the community.
In her acceptance speech, Pastor Joshua expressed heartfelt gratitude and dedicated the awards to Christians in Argentina striving to live according to the teachings of Jesus Christ.
“It is God’s command that brought us here to demonstrate His love physically and spiritually,” she said. “I dedicate these awards to the Christians in Argentina, praying for their continued growth in faith and for God’s blessings upon this land.”
A robustly intelligence-driven approach to the fight against drug abuse has led to a 90 percent conviction rate for drug offenders, the highest in the world, NICHOLAS KALU reports:
According to the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), it has recorded over 90 percent success in conviction rate of drug offenders it has charged to court since the present administration of the present chairman, Buba Marwa took over in January 2021.
Backing this audacious claim, the Director, Media and Advocacy, Femi Babafemi, provided data that indicated that over 9, 000 convictions have been recorded since Marwa took over. According to the Agency’s Spokesman, this was the highest conviction rate anywhere in the world. He disclosed that at the moment, they have more than 12,000 offenders being prosecuted.
“The cases are going on in the courts, more than 12,000. They are at various levels of litigation with most of them reaching an advanced stage. In the last three years, we’ve had 52, 901 arrests, including 51 drug barons within the period. Within the same period, we had 9,034 convictions. And from these cases, we’ve recovered over 8,608,516.305 kilograms of asserted illicit drugs. That’s 8,608 tons of illicit drugs. We have destroyed cannabis farms well over 1, 100 hectares within the same time frame.
“Again within the same period, we had 33,453 drug users counseled and rehabilitated. Again don’t forget that there’s this War Against Drug Abuse, WADA, social advocacy initiative to mobilise citizens to create awareness and enlighten people in schools, workplaces, communities, out of school children and all of them on the dangers of abusing illicit substances.
“And within the same three years, we’ve had 6, 423 of those awareness lectures, sensitisation programmes in schools, workplaces, churches, mosques, markets, motor parks, and communities,” he said.
Further data obtained from the Agency indicated that from January to July 2024, the Agency has arrested 10, 049 offenders. Out of this number, 2, 969 are being charged to court and 2, 237 have been convicted.
Also under the period, 881, 311 kg of various illicit drugs were seized, while the Agency counselled 4, 191 persons and rehabilitated 701.
A robust intelligence-driven approach
What is responsible for this high rate of success, especially in terms of convictions, Babafemi says, is a robust intelligence driven approach that ensures all the work is done, such that culprits are always caught red-handed.
“Yes, in our cases, they are usually watertight because the suspects are usually arrested with the exhibits. So it’s not a matter of you arresting somebody and he’s able to deny anything. So more often than not, you see these people when they are faced with the law, they have no option but to admit guilt. And that’s why you hardly find our cases being taken to appeal. Most of our cases usually end at a trial court because it’s not what they can deny. They were arrested red-handed with the exhibit. So that’s responsible and what it means is that quite a lot of effort has been put into the process leading to the arrests and seizures. So the arrest and seizures are towards the end of the chain.
“That’s why the chairman and chief executive of the agency often says that our operations are 100% intelligence-led. It means we would have done quite a lot of work in the background leading to the arrest and seizure, which is just the end of it. So that’s why it’s pretty difficult.
“Even the big shots, the drug barons that have been on the run for years, we are now arresting them because of the intelligence capability and capacity of the agency at the moment. So we are able to combine a lot of intelligence and financial investigation mechanisms to be able to track and pin these people down.
“Just last week or two weeks ago, (we nabbed) a man that was one of the drug kingpins in Lagos called Na God. He had been wanted for a while, and for him to conduct a financial transaction, he had to leave his domain in Lagos to go Ogun State to go and do it. Unknown to him however, we’re tracking him. And so that was how we were able to pick him in the banking hall. That shows you quite a lot of what we are doing. I’m sure you’ll be surprised by it. He must have wondered how we got him in Ogun.
“So that’s how the agency has been able to combine both intelligence and financial investigation capability to be able to pin down some of these, especially the drug barons who have built a lot of shields around themselves over the years. All of those shields are now being cracked and falling apart because of the agency’s capability and the capacity to unravel them.
‘Agency leadership key in new drive to tackle drug abuse’
So what is the main difference between now and before when the Agency was characterised by lethargy, where hardly any positive results were recorded in the fight against drug abuse?
Babafemi said the leadership of the Agency today has been the key instrument in the successes recorded so far in galvanising human and material resources, as well as building networks within and outside of the country.
“All of these have worked to really help the agency in revitalising its operations and work ethics. I can tell you that the leadership has been of a significant impact on the work culture of the agency.
“Again the agency, through the capacity of his leadership, has been able to largely build a lot of partnership and relationships with international organisations, like the US Drug Enforcement Administration, the Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs in the US State Department, the National Crime Agency in the UK, the Border Force in the UK, as well as the French police, the German police and our counterparts in India, Saudi, the UAE and across the world.
“So all of these partnerships have been built and strengthened to the point that there is that confidence, there is that mutual respect for us to share intelligence and for them to share with us as well.
“Also, there has been quite a lot of support from these organisations in terms of training, in terms of some logistics. All of these have impacted and we must also not lose, we cannot lose sight of the support the agency has received from the home front, talking of the government of Nigeria. I’ll tell you that more than ever before the government of Nigeria has supported the agency, especially at the highest level. Right from the presidency; the president himself is in support of this fight against the drug scourge and so has thrown his weight to support the agency.
“Even at the level of legislation; recently we had the National Assembly proposing a state of emergency and even proposing a death penalty for drug traffickers. All of these are actions that show that indeed they are aware of the problem and they are supporting the agency. Talking of the judiciary, I mean, those number of convictions couldn’t have been possible if not for their collaboration and understanding of the issue.
“Beyond that, the civil society, the non-governmental organisations, the faith-based organisations, the community-based organisations, have all coalesced into a strong partnership that has enabled the agency to be able to confront the drug scourge.
“We’re not yet there but then the process is moving so fast and we’re getting results and they’re making a lot of gains.
How relationship with sister security agencies have fared
Babafemi also stated that the Agency has enjoyed a robust relationship with sister security agencies, which has also accounted for the results it has been getting.
“The same way we have built and strengthened our partnership with our international partners; more than that, we have also done excellently well in that regard with our local stakeholders, talking of the military, talking of the Nigerian Customs, the Nigerian Police, the Civil Defense, the NFIU, the Road Safety, NAFDAC and everybody.
“This is a collective thing. The agency has deployed what is called a whole of government and a whole of society approach. That’s to carry everybody within the government structure along, get them involved. And that’s why we have a body called the Inter Ministerial Committee, IMC, which is the coordinating body of all the stakeholders; that is government stakeholders and the civil society involved.
“That’s why you would have seen again a partnership with the state governments to get state drug control committees, even with the first ladies in those states. We’ve trained them, sensitised them to know about and get their buy-in to support all of these.
“For instance, because of our partnership with local stakeholders, let me start with the case of Customs where we have a good working relationship at the ports where some huge consignments come in. If we don’t have that working relationship, more often than not, a lot of imported containers which are processed by the Customs for clearing, would have been smuggled in by the drug cartels.
Over N50b worth of seizures in one month
Babafemi said with the last one month the agency had intercepted 68 million pills of opiates a d over a million bottles of codeine with over N50 billion at the Tincan and Port Harcourt Ports in Lagos and Rivers State respectively.
Just imagine the last one month alone we had more than 68 million pills of opiates brought into the country.
“Let me state specifically, in the last one month we had a total of 68,138,000 pills of Tramadol brought in, imported into the country. And in addition to that, 1,068,253 bottles of codeine syrup.
“All of those were seized within the space of the last 30 days at Tincan in Lagos and Port Harcourt Port Complex, Onne. Just imagine, those are items, substances worth well over 50 billion naira. That’s a lot of items. So these are instances where the partnership has really worked. Ultimately, Nigeria, Nigerians, and humanity are the beneficiaries
“These are millions of opioids being brought into the country, worth billions of naira. They are not to be consumed by animals. They were meant to be consumed by our people. You know, the kind of damage, the extent of damage that would have caused to the health of our young people and to the public health at large,” he said.
Drug cartels using other neighbouring countries
Babafemi noted that cartels were getting desperate and seeking for other means to ply their illicit trade as the Agency continued to sustain the heat in the fight against substance abuse.
He said, “I’ll tell you again, because of the activities of the agency, quite a number of these drug cartels are running away from sending their illicit substances directly to Nigeria.
“So what some of them have chosen to do is to go and warehouse those things in some neighbouring countries and then try to bring them in the bits but already we’re ahead of them again in that regard and that’s why we have also strengthened our presence and the border entry points.
“That’s why we’ve also made quite a lot of seizures in those places. So head or tail, it’s an effort that is really, really yielding a lot of results.
“What we do is not hearsay. They are always backed with evidence. Our operations are evidence based and intelligence led.
These cases are compiled. They have physical evidence. They are things anybody can go and verify anywhere. The cases are going on in court and anybody can go and verify.
“For anybody that is arrested usually, apart from those that we consider who need help or treatment, but then everybody has their day in court. So that’s why we have that volume of convictions and ongoing cases in the courts.
What happens to seizures made by the NDLEA
According to the Agency, drugs that are seized are usually put together and destroyed after a successful prosecution.
“At the end of the prosecution of such cases, the court gives an order for the destruction of those drugs. These are open things and anybody can check. If you Google it you’ll see the pictures and videos. There is hardly any such public destruction or burning of exhibits that are done in secrecy.
“They are done publicly with local and international stakeholders present to witness, including the media. So they are usually destroyed because they have no secondary value. You can’t use them for any other thing because they are already processed. And they are not things that anybody can toy with because there are quite a lot of processes and mechanisms in place to ensure the integrity of the process.
“They are definitely destroyed and they are done publicly for the people to witness and see the end result. We ensure the resources of the cartels go up in flames, which is the message to them. We go after their money. It’s a message that their money, everything you have amassed is all going up in flames,” he said.
As the first faculty member at Yabatech to obtain a Ph.D in Marketing, Dr. Enitan Olumide Olutade already holds a special place in the institution’s history. However, his passion for digital marketing and passion for grooming younger people into the field is currently putting him in the front burner. He shared his plans for this year’s digital marketing cases and analysis seminar with Gboyega Alaka
You’re getting set for the fourth Digital Marketing Cases and Analysis seminar, what exactly is this about?
The Digital Marketing Cases and Analysis seminar is a ground-breaking academic initiative carefully designed to transform how marketing case analysis and problem-solving are taught in tertiary institutions in Nigeria. The seminar seeks to provide a contemporary and discovery-driven approach to teaching one of the most challenging modules in marketing-related courses among tertiary institutions in Africa and the Western world, particularly to students studying marketing, strategic management, and digital marketing.
This seminar series integrates information technology and experiential learning to address real-world marketing challenges, creating a unique platform where the Town meets the Gown. Simply put, students apply their theoretical learning to solve real-life business cases they are assigned. The programme, which was initiated in 2021 by the Department of Marketing at Yaba College of Technology, has grown into an annual event that enjoys substantial support from both the college management and corporate sponsors, including multinational and indigenous companies.
The upcoming fourth edition, scheduled for January 2025, will continue this tradition of excellence. It will employ a collaborative learning approach, where participants analyse real-world marketing cases and present data-driven solutions, using digital tools. These cases span diverse topics in modern marketing, such as strategic marketing, online consumer behaviour, green marketing, logistics, product development, and more.
Why did you come up with the idea in the first place?
The idea for the Digital Marketing Cases and Analysis seminar was born out of my experience and a broader recognition of a persistent challenge in ensuring that marketing graduate students are job-ready. To put this in clearer perspective, before pursuing my PhD in Marketing in South Africa, I observed that the course, Marketing Cases Analysis and Problems had been a challenging and often controversial subject for marketing students at tertiary institutions and professionals in Nigeria. This challenge extends to candidates sitting for professional certifications under the National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (NIMN).
For example, after completing my bachelor’s degree, I enrolled for the NIMN professional examinations. While I passed all other courses on my first attempt, it took me three attempts to successfully pass Marketing Cases Analysis and Problems before earning my induction into the professional body. This experience is not unique to me, as many candidates face similar challenges, with some abandoning the process after one or two unsuccessful attempts.
Historically, the NIMN has organised well-sponsored competitions among tertiary institutions in Nigeria, often backed by multinational corporations. However, at the final stages of these events, many participants struggle and are eliminated during the Marketing Cases Analysis and Problems segment, underscoring the widespread difficulty of mastering this area.
Also, the concept for the Digital Marketing Cases Analysis and Problems seminar was born from a recognized need to bridge the gap between theoretical knowledge and practical application in the field of digital marketing. Given the rapidly evolving nature of digital marketing strategies, tools, and consumer behaviour, it is essential to create a platform where professionals, practitioners, and academics can collaboratively analyze real-world cases and address emerging challenges.
What should participants at this fourth edition look forward to?
It promises significant upgrades compared to previous editions. This year, we are introducing innovative elements and fostering greater collaboration to enhance the overall experience. The upcoming seminar will bring together a diverse group of participants, including industry leaders, faculty heads, sponsors (multinational and indigenous), celebrities, advertising agencies, prominent players in the digital marketing space, and representatives from marketing-related professional bodies. These distinguished individuals will also serve on the panel of judges, adding depth and expertise to the event.
Participants can also look forward to a collaborative learning and teaching, seminar approach that promises to provide a valuable blend of theory, practice, and collaboration tailored to help participants enhance their expertise and impact in the field of digital marketing. It will provide opportunities to interact with industry leaders, academicians, and peers. We are looking to have a platform where potential projects, research opportunities, and internships can be discussed.
Sponsors will enjoy significant branding opportunities, engagement with key stakeholders, and insights into return on investment. With these, participants can expect career advice, exposure to industry expectations, and academic guidance tailored to the demands of the digital marketing sector.
How would you rate Nigeria as far as digital marketing is concerned?
Nigeria has made remarkable strides in the digital marketing space, driven by factors like increased internet penetration, widespread mobile phone adoption, and a youthful, tech-savvy population. Social media platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, and X (formerly Twitter) have become central to marketing campaigns, with Nigerian influencers playing a vital role in brand promotion and customer engagement. Platforms like Jumia and Konga have showcased the vast potential of digital marketing in driving e-commerce growth, further solidifying Nigeria’s presence in this space.
However, there are still challenges that need to be addressed. For instance, inadequate access to affordable data plans, unreliable internet connectivity, and a shortage of digital marketing experts hinder the full potential of the industry. Many businesses have embraced digital marketing, but there is room for growth in areas like data-driven marketing, artificial intelligence, automation, and more sophisticated analytics.
How do you think digital marketing will impact the Nigerian business space?
Digital marketing is transforming business landscapes globally, and Nigeria is no exception. With tools such as social media networks, email marketing, mobile marketing, search engine marketing, content creation, social media management, and data analytics, digital marketing is reshaping how businesses operate and engage with consumers.
In Nigeria, digital marketing offers consumers unprecedented opportunities to connect, share information, and engage with brands. The functionality of businesses and their promotional strategies has been profoundly influenced by the rise of digital marketing. For small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), it provides a crucial platform to enhance their competitive advantage in a highly competitive market. When effectively harnessed, smaller businesses can attract new customers, build loyalty, and ultimately increase their sales volumes.
Firms that adopt digital marketing are more likely to experience enhanced marketing capabilities, reduced costs for marketing and customer service, improved access to information, and greater compatibility and cost-effectiveness. The array of tools available in digital marketing allows businesses to adapt to the evolving demands of Nigeria’s dynamic market, enabling growth, fostering innovation, and unlocking new opportunities for SMEs and larger enterprises alike.
In summary, digital marketing holds immense potential to reshape Nigeria’s business environment. Enterprises that embrace this shift are well-positioned to thrive in an ever-evolving market and build sustainable competitive advantages.
You are the first faculty member in YabaTech to obtain a PhD from the institution, how easy was that, going by the legendary rivalry and competition in Nigeria’s institutions of higher learning?
Thank you for acknowledging this milestone. The journey to obtaining a PhD, particularly from the Department of Marketing at Yabatech, was both challenging and rewarding. Nigeria’s institutions of higher learning are renowned for their competitiveness and rich academic traditions, which foster a spirit of healthy rivalry and a drive for excellence. For me, the environment became a catalyst that motivated me to strive for success. My experience was shaped by the unwavering support of my mentors, colleagues, and Yabatech’s commitment to academic excellence. Navigating the demands of rigorous research, limited resources, and the pressure to set a new standard was no small feat. However, through determination, discipline, strategic planning, and an enduring passion for contributing to knowledge, I was able to make a meaningful impact within the institution.
I see that all your degrees are in marketing, tell us about it. What drew you to it?
What initially drew me to marketing was its unique combination of creativity and analytical thinking, which are factors I particularly enjoy doing. Marketing is the heart of any business. Imagine what that means to someone who enjoys finding new ways of achieving better results. It offers an opportunity to understand consumer behaviour, anticipate trends, and develop strategies that meaningfully influence decisions.
As I advanced both academically and professionally, I came to realize that marketing is not just about selling products; it is about creating value and building relationships. During my PhD studies, I had the privilege of exploring consumer behaviour and strategic marketing management in greater depth, particularly examining how the digital era is transforming our methods for reaching and engaging audiences, and this experience further solidified my interest in the field. For me, marketing is like a dynamic puzzle, something that is constantly evolving and offering new challenges. My academic journey reflects my passion for continuous learning and my commitment to contributing to this exciting and impactful discipline. What more could I ask for?
•Says this year’s Igbobi-Sabe festival to hold November 27 to 29
•Advocates Yoruba language in Yoruba homes
To what do we owe this invitation to the palace kabiesi?
We are about to hold our Gelede masquerade festival in Igbobi-Sabe. Actually, it is supposed to be an annual festival, but we decided to shelf it last year because I was also marking my tenth year anniversary on the throne, and we felt it would be kind of stressful to combine both. So here we are again. Gelede performance is usually held to pay homage to what we know as the primordial mother (Iya nla). It is a process of social regeneration and development in Yoruba society. If you are a student of history, you will know that the Gelede originated from Ketu, which is part of the present day Republic of Benin. It can be held during harvest; to appease the ancestors during drought or when there is epidemic in the land, so that the community can be peaceful and prosperous for all. You will notice that in Lagos State here, the most popular festival is the Eyo masquerade, but there are so many other festivals, such as the egungun, the gelede, the agemo, even igunnuko. And there are several others in the riverine areas, they have several others. There is an adage in Yoruba that says, ‘Once you’ve witnessed a gelede performance, you have seen it all.’ Indeed it is true, because people can be scared if they see the Eyo with his opambata, but with the gelede, she is welcoming and you could see how children throng the town with her. It is such that if you send your child on an errand and the gelede is performing, he may not come home till dusk. As a child growing up in Isale-Eko, I remember how we used to wait hours in the sun for the gelede to come out. And we all knew and perfected the gelede dance. Here in Igbobi-Sabe, we don’t have any other festival that we celebrate other than the gelede. And our people have been celebrating it religiously, with their kin coming from as far as Ketu and Sabe in Republic of Benin, to celebrate and identify with them. Today we have gelede in Agboyi Ketu, we have it in Lagos Island, Isale-Eko – Taiwo Olowo and Abijo Compound; we also it in Iba, Oto Awori; but it is more significant in Igbobi-Sabe.
When is this festival holding?
Our programme starts from Wednesday, November 27, when there will be novelty/traditional games such as ayo olopon, draught, Ludo and others. We have invited several other communities around Igbobi-Sabe to participate – Abule Ijesa, Abule-Oja, Makoko, Iwaya, Somolu, Lagos Island, and the rest of them. We also have uniforms and prizes for winners at the games. On the 28th will be the Efe Night. There is not going to be many activities during the day, because Efe is usually an all-night affair. We have also invited some other communities to participate in Efe night, because we are trying to set a standard. We have raised the pedestal from the way we used to do it. Like I once said, if not for the intervention of God, the Gelede in Igbobi-Sabe would have gone into extinction. Thanks to God and the support of all my chiefs and baales, we resuscitated it two years ago. The Efe groups and Gelede groups will be coming from Isheri Olofin, Lagos Island, Mulero and Alausa. Don’t forget that if there is no Efe, there is no Gelede; it is the Efe that will usher in the Gelede. November 29th will be the grand finale, where all the Gelede groups will come out and dance. We have also invited fuji star, Sule Alao Malaika to cap it up with a live performance. It’s all happening in front of the palace here.
This Gelede resuscitation mission that you have undertaken is clearly a capital intensive one, yet you’re not a land selling monarch; how do you manage to get funding?
Vision and provision goes together. When God calls you and gives you a vision, provision will follow. It is not my doing. In the past when it was celebrated, it was a kind of yearly reunion, and our parents were all happy and content with whatever they had because to them, it was fun. But today, it has taken a different shape. Now we have registered the Igbobi-Sabe Gelede with the Lagos State Ministry of Tourism, Arts and Culture. We have even registered through the CAC with the Nigeria Tourism and Development Corporation (NTDC), to tell you that Gelede is going places. We are not doing it locally again, but on a mission to make it globally renowned. You’ll also recall that tourism is embedded in the THEMES agenda of Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu; they are also doing their best to give us something as support, even though it is not enough. But I thank God for all my friends who have been supporting me. And we have a dedicated account for the funds, because I want to be accountable. With time, we expect that support will come from the corporate orgainisations, because we are already taking steps of faith. Don’t forget we only resuscitated it two years ago after about 12 year hiatus.
You have a deep command of the Yoruba language despite your long spell in America; but many Nigerian parents who have not stepped out of the country are not speaking the language to their children, preferring English; what is your message to such people?
My subjects always wonder how I am so deep in Yoruba language, including proverbs; even back in America, people used to think I am from Yoruba hinterlands like Oyo. Yoruba is a beautiful language. What such parents are doing is something they will regret in the future. Our language is our identity. There is no pride in a child that cannot speak his mother tongue. We have them even in government, people who cannot speak Yoruba for five, ten minutes without interjecting it with English expressions. This is why I laud the Lagos State House of Assembly for earmarking a day in which deliberations are done strictly in Yoruba. Look at the Hausa in Obalende area of Lagos; their children may not go to the North but they still speak Hausa fluently. This is because the parents speak undiluted Hausa to them at home; when they go out to play with friends in the area, they learn Yoruba, and when they go to school, they earn English. None mitigates the other. A psychologist once said a child has the capacity to learn seven languages simultaneously if they are exposed to it. So I am appealing to our people, especially in my capacity as a traditional ruler and grassroots person, to communicate with their children in Yoruba. Our people need to understand that English is not a measure of intelligence or brilliance. A child may speak English well and still fail in major subjects in school.
Pa John Dada Obafemi acclaimed to be Nigeria’s oldest enlisted soldier has died. Pa Obafemi died in the early of Saturday, November 23rd in his home in Ijaye-Ojokoro LSDPC Estate in Lagos.
Until his death, Pa Obafemi, was a former president of Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) and only surviving member, Board of Trustees of the church.
He was also regarded in some quarters as the oldest living Nigerian with recorded date.
Until as recently as the occasion of his 107th birthday in May 2020, when the crew of The Nation first interviewed him, the late Obafemi exhibited sound mind, health and energy, answering questions accurately with dates, time and details for hours.
In that same interview, he told this newspaper that he was arguably the oldest surviving enlisted Nigerian soldier, going by the fact that he enlisted two years earlier than the acclaimed oldest soldier, Pa Adama Aduku, who had passed two years earlier.
“I joined the army on January 13, 1943 and left on July 31, 1946. Today, in the four corners of the world, I am among the oldest enlisted soldier alive,” he declared in that interview.
He also shared the story of how Christianity entered core Yoruba land around 1917; the first crusade of Apostle Ayo Babalola (1930) and the invasion of a swarm of locust (1931) which ate up everything in sight, creating unprecedented famine in the process.
“The invasion of locust was the type that had never been seen before – at least not in living memory. People said they came from the Gold Coast – the present day Ghana, and ate up all crops. It came around May, when all farm produce had ripened and created a kind of famine never seen before. We called it ‘foworemi’ (use money to buy life) because it was only those who had money who were able to survive it. They would land on a tree and strip it naked, leaving only the stump. I remember how we resorted to hiding yam tubers in (palm-wine) kegs, blocking the mouths with rags and placing them in water to keep them safe from the locusts. Then when it’s time to eat, we’d bring them out, add salt and roast.”
Another interesting story he shared was the advent of cassava and garri in Yoruba land and how, as a student, he led a revolt against adopting it as a school meal.
US-based Nigerian author, Sunday Akande, is a mission-driven artist with a mind of changing the world. As a novelist, playwright, and poet, Akande uses his craft to tackle social issues and empower young people. Prolific in both English and his native Yoruba, Akande has authored over 100 poems across three collections. Akande’s commitment to social good further plays out in his latest work, “We Are the World and Other SDGs Plays”. In this chat with EVELYN OSAGIE, Akande, a diehard fan of Prof Wole Soyinka, speaks on his life abroad, how meeting the Nobel Laureate has impacted him, and more.
Recently we are witnessing an increase in the number of Nigerians relocating abroad. Do you think this is the solution at this point?
Living things will always migrate. Human beings, especially young people all over the world, have always moved from place to place. It is part of life. Wise leaders will even send their young people abroad to learn skills and come back to develop their country. Having said that, it is the role of the African leaders, particularly Nigerian leaders to coordinate and harmonise the benefits thereof and translate that to development in Africa. Is there a solid database of the number of Africans in the West, for instance? Is there a way to track the roles they’re playing in those foreign lands? Is there a way to provide enabling environments for them to contribute to Africa’s development? And, to do that, one doesn’t have to be in Africa. You can fully participate in building Africa from abroad. But the leaders must creatively initiate that.
How has relocating to the United States influenced your writing; and how is the American literary scene compared to Nigeria’s?
American culture is different from African culture, and so is their literary scene. We have an oral tradition in Africa as against the writing and reading culture here in the US. Everywhere you turn here, you see people reading – young and old, male and female, on streets, in transit. This makes literary work a successful endeavour here. Writers are eager to write more because readers are waiting to consume their works. I live in California, the home of Hollywood. So, I know the kind of attention and investment that go into literature in the US. They know that literature preserves and shapes culture, which in turn shapes society. Writers and filmmakers, for instance, influence policymaking, inventions, and governance here. They see ahead and suggest things to their government. And they are taken seriously!
What do you miss most as a Nigerian living abroad?
I miss the warm weather. Nigeria has the weather that makes you “feel at home.” You can remove your clothes and sleep. Here in the US, you cannot feel at home even in your home (laughs). Even though I live in a state with relatively fair weather, I still miss the Nigerian weather. I can’t wait for summer.
Tell us about your childhood experiences with literature; when did your fascination with words begin?
Africa has a beautiful oral tradition, so I grew up in a community where folktales, legends, dance, and drama were upheld. I’m a natural storyteller. As a young boy, my friends preferred that I watch a movie, for instance, and narrate it to them rather than watching it themselves. I lived in a not-well-educated environment where old people needed someone like me to help them write letters to their children abroad. While doing this as young as eight, I listened to their stories and, over time, perfected the art of crafting stories, some of which were emotional. In primary five, I was co-opted into my school’s Drama Club, and I acted in a radio play. When I got to high school, it was easy for me to be a pioneer member of the Drama Club, Press Club, and Debating Society. I had to write short plays for the Drama Club weekly, in addition to the articles I wrote for the Press Club. I also had a passion for languages, even though I was in science class. Some African literary works also added to my passion for words. I read almost all the D.O. Fagunwa’s classics. I read Buchi Emecheta, Amos Tutuola, Isidore Okpewho, Chinua Achebe, and Wole Soyinka.
Which of the authors has the most influence on you?
I love the Nobel laureate Soyinka for two main reasons: one, his works seek social justice. I love authors whose works deliberately seek to address social issues. Two, his versatility in creative writing is admirable. Apart from writing in different genres, he is one of the few writers who can write both in the English language and in their native language. Apart from writing in the English language, I have also written more than 100 poems in Yoruba, which are published in three different collections. And like him, my literary portfolio also extends to novels like “Sorosoke” (2022), “Water in the Basket” (2013); and plays: “Mothers Forgive Fathers” (2015) and “We Are the World and Other SDGs Plays”, latest work, a children’s literature published in 2024.
You are always quick to share how Prof. Soyinka influenced you, particularly after the 24th Lagos Books and Arts Festival (LABAF). Can you tell us about that?
That was in 2022. 24th LABAF was my first and was a turnaround for my writing career. My book, “Sorosoke”, was featured as one of the books at the festival and the acceptance was overwhelming. It was unofficially named the best book of the festival in terms of its relevance to the festival’s theme, “Pathways to the Future”. I was able to meet the “movers and shakers” of the Nigerian arts and literary world – writers, artists, filmmakers, journalists, actors, publishers, musicians, etc.; and they all loved my book. But meeting with Prof. Soyinka was the most fulfilling of the experience: he commended me for writing the book. And interestingly, one of his goddaughters hugged me and said, “Here’s a book Soyinka would have written when he was your age.” To me, that was not only a compliment, it was also an invitation to the hall of great writers. I was glad, and those experiences have kept challenging me to write more.
In your view, what is the importance of reading; and what are you currently reading yourself?
Reading is the fuel that powers destinies; it is the light that brightens people’s paths in life. You are as bright as the books you read. Reading transforms us from our crude, local state into a refined, polished, and global state. I like reading plays: they are more real; the characters livelier; and can influence the audience faster than any other genres. But currently I’m not reading plays. I’m now a doctoral student working on how to transform violence among young people. I’m reading lots of books on victims and perpetrators of violence. I’m reading about trauma. I’m reading about theories and ethics of nonviolence and peace-making. All these will eventually translate into more literary works from me. I will be using writing as a tool for peace-making in our world.
Your latest creative work seems to tackle social issues. Why is this so important to you?
I am an intentional writer who believes literary works are meant to heal society. My works expressly deal with social issues. I do this in three ways: I write satiric, prophetic, and didactic works, depending on my target audience. I believe that a writer doesn’t only entertain their audience, they write from a realm superior to their material world to save their world from falling apart. This is essential to me because every human being has the animalistic tendency to be disorderly; I believe writers are positioned at the rooftop to present an overview of our activities and laugh out or cry out loud if we are doing well or doing badly as the case may be.
What emotions does “We Are the World and Other SDGs Plays” evoke in you?
Of all my books, “We Are the World and Other SDGs Plays” is the dearest to me. And that is because of the value it will add to young people all over the world. It was well thought out– it took 12 good years to bring it out! So, I’m excited that it’s finally out. I can’t wait to witness the positive influence that the book will undoubtedly exert in literary and scholarly circles.
What inspired it?
The book was written to expose younger ones to the contents of the SDGs and inculcate in them the moral value and responsibility to partner with their leaders in actualising the dream behind the SDGs and thereby making our world a better and more secure place to live in. The idea came during my National Youth Service (2011-2012). The two-week orientation camp exposed me to the details of the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), and I fell in love with the idea behind the whole goals. So, towards the end of my service year, I thought about telling stories around those goals in a way that children would understand and relate to. Then I wrote the first draft but couldn’t get it published. When the MDGs metamorphosed into the Sustainable Development Goals, I had to rewrite the manuscript to suit the present reality. And the rest is history
What is your advice for aspiring writers?
Publishing a book goes beyond writing compelling stories. It is an art you must understand. While it often takes one person to write, it takes several professionals to get it published. Now, as a young writer, don’t let the idea of wanting to be read by all means make you waste your stories, energy, money, and time. The most important aspect of writing is getting the right publishers to work with. The right publishers know how to get your book published and make sure it gets into the hands of your target audience. That is very essential; otherwise, you would be the only one reading your compelling stories.
Drug abuse in Nigeria has quietly grown into a full-blown crisis, ensnaring young Nigerians across every social stratum. According to the National Bureau of Statistics, 14.3 million Nigerians aged 15-64 years or one in seven people actively use drugs. The wave of substance abuse that once lurked in the shadows has surged into a visible epidemic, as substances from cannabis to opioids, and now nitrous oxide, infiltrate Nigerian communities; from crowded urban centers to rural villages. Udeh Onyebuchi reports.
In the sweltering heat of Lagos, Seun’s story could be anyone’s in Nigeria’s rising tide of drug abuse. The 32-year-old began his experimentation with substances at a casual party on Eleko Beach, where a friend offered him laughing gas, or nitrous oxide, as a party favour. The momentary euphoria quickly devolved into paranoia, sending him stumbling into the waves. It took timely efforts by his friends to rescue him from the raging waves.
The incident was only the beginning of his tumultuous relationship with drugs, a journey now shared by millions across Nigeria.
A Nigerian musician, Solidstar, known for his hit song, “Omotena,” found himself grappling with addiction after being introduced to crystal methamphetamine, or “ice,” by young people in his neighborhood in 2021. Curious and wanting to fit in with the crowd, he initially accepted the drug, not realising how deeply it would impact his life. The stimulant quickly began affecting his mental health, leading him to erratic behaviour and loss of control over his life.
Solidstar recalled one particular episode where he walked from Awoyaya in Ibeju Lekki to Oriental Hotel on Victoria Island, a seven-hour journey while under the influence. “It made me feel like a king, like I didn’t need to pay for anything,” he said, describing the powerful hallucinations and delusions the drug had on him. As his addiction deepened, Solidstar’s career and personal life began to suffer, until he realised he needed help.
Through determination and the support of family and friends, he sought the help he needed. Today, Solidstar is committed to using his platform to speak out against drug abuse, especially crystal meth, which is becoming alarmingly popular among Nigerian youth.
“If I can get out of it, so can you,” he tells his fans, encouraging them to steer clear of addiction.
Peter Ayo, a young man with a passion for dance, first encountered drugs when he was still in secondary school. His friends, impressed with his talent, told him that drugs could help him perform better on stage and enhance his moves. “They said if I wanted to be great at dancing, I needed to take tramadol,” Peter recalled.
Initially hesitant, he eventually caved to peer pressure and began using tramadol and other substances. While the drugs gave him bursts of energy, they soon took over his life. The money he earned from dance shows went directly toward feeding his addiction, and he began selling off personal belongings to fund his habit.
“I would buy things, then sell them just to buy more drugs. I didn’t realise how much I was losing,” he shared.
After a few years, Peter hit rock bottom, experiencing withdrawal symptoms and losing many of his dance opportunities. Desperate for a change, he confided in a counselor who encouraged him to check into the Hope Health Centre in Taraba. The center’s comprehensive rehabilitation programme helped Peter regain control over his life. Today, he is drug-free and advocates for drug abuse prevention among other young dancers, warning them of the dangerous path he nearly didn’t escape.
Lagos’s open drug markets
Numerous spots across Lagos are notorious for drug sales and consumption. Akala Street in Mushin has been a hub of drug trafficking and crime for years. Security agencies have repeatedly targeted Akala in raids. In a large-scale operation on May 30, 2013, a combined team from the NDLEA and the Nigerian Army arrested 47 suspects and seized over 3,000 kilograms of narcotics, including cannabis, cocaine, heroin and methamphetamine. Despite these efforts, Akala remains a haven for drugs.
On Lagos Island, drug abuse and distribution are widespread, with neighbourhoods like Patey Street, Apatira and Idumota, being particularly notorious. Small hotels and brothels in these areas have evolved into havens for illicit drugs, with Patey Street particularly gaining a reputation as one of the most active hubs. In Ojo axis along Badagry Expressway, Alaba Rago, known for its bustling market, has also become a hotspot for drug sales and abuse.
In Oshodi and Isolo, drug abuse hotspots stretch across the area, with specific sites like the train tracks under the Oshodi bridge becoming infamous. Youths openly consume drugs, clutching bags of narcotics and selling to willing buyers. In Agege, locations like Oko-Oba Abattoir and Akerele Street along Ipaja Road are known centers of drug activities, where the sale and consumption of banned substances occur openly, with little interference from local authorities.
For years, drugs like tramadol, codeine and cannabis have dominated Nigeria’s illicit market. However, synthetic substances like crystal methamphetamine (locally known as “Ice”) and nitrous oxide are gaining popularity. The Nigerian Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) regularly intercepts shipments of opioids hidden in everyday items, destined for cities across the country. In a recent raid, agents uncovered 2,760 kilograms of a potent cannabis strain known as “Ghanaian Loud” hidden underground in Lagos’ Ajah area.
NDLEA spokesperson Femi Babafemi highlights the link between drug abuse and crime, stating, “The use of substances has been implicated in insecurity because crime generally tends to increase with substance use.”
Youth caught in the crossfire
Nigeria’s youth bear the brunt of this epidemic. Nearly 40% of drug users are under 25, and the allure of substances is potent for those facing limited educational or employment prospects. For many young people, substance abuse provides a temporary escape from economic hardship, social pressures or trauma. The economic strain of affording recreational drugs often forces young users to pool money with friends for a single canister of nitrous oxide, which is said to cost about 100,000 naira ($124).
An underfunded healthcare system
Mental health services in Nigeria are underfunded and poorly distributed. Despite the country’s massive population, fewer than 250 psychiatrists are licensed in Nigeria, and rehabilitation centers are mostly overcrowded and costly. Treatment can cost as much as N1 million per month in some private facilities. Professor Taiwo Obindo, president of the Association of Psychiatrists in Nigeria, observes that most hospitals lack the capacity to treat severe addiction cases, with limited facilities for long-term rehabilitation.
Social and political crisis
The escalating drug crisis has triggered a surge in criminal activity, compounding Nigeria’s existing security challenges. The NDLEA reports that drug use fuels everything from robbery and kidnappings to violent assaults and domestic abuse. NDLEA Chief, Retired Brigadier General Buba Marwa, has called for urgent action, likening the war on drugs to Nigeria’s ongoing battle with armed groups.
Governor Douye Diri of Bayelsa State remarked: “Drugs and crime go together. The best approach to stop crime is to stop the youths from using drugs.” However, Nigeria’s legal framework and treatment facilities remain insufficiently funded. The NDLEA has launched campaigns like the War Against Drug Abuse (WADA) to encourage public awareness, yet more support is needed.
Rehabilitation, not incarceration
A glimmer of hope in Nigeria’s drug war is a shift toward empathy and rehabilitation. Public figures like Catholic Priest Father Cyriacus Kamai have opened up about their own struggles with addiction to raise awareness. Kamai, who went through rehabilitation, now runs programmes to guide others battling addiction.
“My own journey made me realise that rehabilitation is the only way forward. People need support, not condemnation,” he says.
An issue of national survival
At an NDLEA training session, the First Lady, Senator Oluemi Tinubu, called for a compassionate, multi-faceted response, urging society to “challenge the stigma and discrimination associated with addiction and foster empathy, understanding and solidarity toward those struggling with substance use disorder.”
She warned that if this issue remains unaddressed, it could undermine Nigeria’s future.
For Seun and others like him, therefore, a future free from drugs remains a distant hope. But with sustained attention from policymakers, the NDLEA, and the community, Nigeria may yet reclaim its youth from the grip of addiction.
As part of efforts to bring succour and respite to the members of Redeemed Christian Church of God(RCCG) Living Seed Church Omole, the church has embarked on hand over of foodstuff to members every first Sunday and subsequent Wednesdays of the month.
Under the leadership of Pastor Adeola Abolaji, the initiative is to provide members with basic and essential foodstuff amidst rising food costs.
