Category: The Nation – Nigeria

In his October 1 broadcast to mark Nigeria’s 65th independence anniversary, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu was flush with good tidings. ‘The worst is over, I say,’ he gushed. ‘Yesterday’s pains are giving way to relief. I support your endurance, support and understanding.’

The alluring statistics, which he reeled out, simply walked that cheery talk.

In second quarter 2025, Gross Domestic Product (GDP) grew by 4.25%, well above the 3.4 % the International Monetary Fund (IMF) had projected. Inflation, another critical economic monitor, fell to 20.12% in August. Though still two-digit, which points that it’s not yet checkmate on the inflationary front, it’s the lowest in three years. That shows how far the administration’s economic reforms have gone.

Jarring inflation was the clearest sign of the harsh combination of oil subsidy removal and floating the Naira against foreign currencies. The Naira devalued, jacking up cross-sectoral costs. So, if inflation is moderating, even while these twin-triggers are still on, it logically reflects an economy structurally re-adjusting – and improving. That supports the president’s claim that the worst is over.

Still on cheering statistics. For a near-mono economy that relies on crude oil sales, non-oil exports have virtually torn through the roof. Latest numbers show that non-oil export revenue now accounts for 48% of the total, though oil and gas still dominate at 52%: with Nigeria now exporting refined products: diesel, petrol, aviation fuel, etc.

Despite that, non-oil exports have closed the gap to this almost 50:50 – and that from virtual nowhere! In just more than two years, non-oil revenue is boosting Nigeria’s trade surplus. Indeed, non-oil earnings for September – which was N3.65 trillion – towered above May earnings by 411%, a feat the president called ‘record-breaking’. Export of made-in-Nigeria manufactured goods soared by 173%!

On debt capital – crucial to accessing quality loans: borrowed cash to build critical physical and social infrastructure – the improvements are no less impressive. Debt service-to-revenue ratio has improved from 97% in 2023 to less than 50% now. That ways-and-means advances are now history underscore the booming fiscal health of the economy.

From more secure debt capital, to improved tax revenue. From less than 10% in 2023, tax-to-GDP ratio has crested at 13.5% in 2025. But that is still lower than the African average of 15%. By 2027, the government projects an 18% tax-to-GDP ratio, well past the African average. With the revamped tax laws debuting from January 2026, this target appears very much attainable.

Aside the fiscal and monetary plain, the numbers from infrastructure, the hard core economic driver, are no less heart-warming. Rail infrastructure, from the president’s statistics, has grown by 40%; water transportation, by 27%.

The 284-km Kano-Katsina-Maradi standard gauge rail is powering to completion. When it is completed, linking Ibadan to Abuja would complete the Lagos-Ibadan-Kano standard gauge rail. That African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCTA)-friendly rail, modelled after the old trans-Sahara trade route, should gift Nigeria huge coast freight business, heading into land-locked neighbours.

The Lagos-Ibadan corridor is already adding great value to mass passengers and freight. Work goes on, on the Port-Harcourt-Aba-Maiduguri narrow-gauge eastern rail network too, for which the Federal Executive Council (FEC) just released US$ 3 billion. This rail rebirth will truly rebirth and expand the Nigerian economy.

Expansion and repair of decayed road stock go on apace: the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway, the Sokoto-Badagry Highway, just to list two legacy road projects.

Indeed, this strong infrastructural push cannot be belittled. Unlike previous reforms under President Olusegun Obasanjo and President Goodluck Jonathan that delivered collapsed infrastructure, despite relatively higher crude oil earnings, the current reforms tick with infrastructural expansion. The Tinubu administration has earned due praise for continuing with the infrastructure reset of the Buhari years.

On infrastructure, the president was insistent: ‘We must build the roads we need, repair the ones that have become decrepit and construct the schools our children will attend, and the hospitals that will care for our people,’ he stressed. Reforms that deliver big on infrastructure, physical and social, should be lauded and encouraged.

Now, with all of these statistical glad tidings, does it mean the country has arrived that comfort zone? Not by a mile! The president himself admitted that much.

The sweet-sour oil subsidy removal may have opened the spigot for far more cash into Nigeria’s three governmental tiers. But it hasn’t quite translated into a welfare boom for most. Indeed, the masses that received ‘little or nothing’ – in the president’s exact words – from oil subsidy have not exactly enjoyed a boom from the new non-subsidy regime.

Therein then lies the gravest challenge for the government – with its foes ever ready to weaponise the pains in the land; and demonise its gains with unending shrieks and anguish. While the opposition must play its politics – the government itself would have acted same in their shoes – President Tinubu must buckle down to further taming inflation, at least on food items and transport costs.

In fairness, food inflation is climbing down. But in many areas, it’s still higher than wages. That means the wage of many – if not most workers – can’t really take them home. Whoever listens to tales – no matter how sweet! – on rumbling tummy!

That grim reality may have prompted a N330 billion safety net conditional cash transfer to eight million poorest Nigerian households – very laudable! But until the cash ease is felt by those at the top of the poverty scale and the vanishing middle class, the government will still stay condemned to serenading its glorious statistics, with not a few looking askance.

Other areas the government can do far better are electricity – and security. But first, this presidential admission: ‘We do not have enough electricity to power our industries and homes today’ – candid!

Yet, it must be admitted: power appears generally more stable but not at that level that should sustainably power an economy to heights never seen. President Tinubu should take power as a personal challenge. The economy can’t hit US$ 1 trillion by 2031 with shambolic electricity.

On security, there have also been significant improvements. But such is the asymmetrical warfare of terror that it takes one terror hit, in one month, to rubbish the security progress of the last three years. The government should therefore keep pressing hard to root out these mindless felons.

Federalising the Police is critical to the new security beginning. The president, to be sure, has shown doughty commitment to state police. But he should use his bully pulpit to push state houses of assembly beyond the finishing line.

Across the board, the fundamentals are changing for the better. So, organised Labour, instead of ‘Aluta’ fixation with wage increases, should closely follow the numbers, galvanise their members to mega-productivity, in concert with the emerging better fundamentals. If, for instance, the economy expands four-fold, no government can dispute doubling wages as of right, citing the bogey of inflation. If they do, Labour can butt them down with clinical numbers. Now, is the time to start tracking and acting. As it is now, sans the political aristocrats, about everyone is underpaid in this economy.

As the president said, Nigeria since 1960 has gone through good and bad times. But for once, from these reform pains, a promising window appears opening to get it right. We – the government and the people – must ensure we don’t clap that window shut.

The Abia State government has debunked the news that the state has sold out slots of the ongoing recruitment of health workers in the state.

Rumours making rounds in the state were that some officials of the government had sold out slots of the recruitment to allies and other cronies outside the state.

This is coming on the heels of the statement by the governor of the state, Dr. Alex Otti, during a media chat last week, that even foreigners are interested in working as health personnel in the state.

The chairman, Abia State Civil Service Commission, Pst Eno Jerry Eze, in a statement described the information as fake, adding that the state as part of its moves to promote transparency, adopted the use of a computer-based Test for applications, adding that interviews were meticulously designed to eliminate biased by ensuring that the best and most qualified candidates were selected for available positions.

The Abia State Civil Service Commission chairman, while assuring the commitment of the commission to openness and transparency in the recruitment of the health workers encouraged anyone with verifiable information about potential infractions or attempts to misrepresent the Commission to report it immediately.

Eno said ‘The Abia State Civil Service Commission is compelled to address a recent publication alleging the sale of slots in the ongoing healthcare workers recruitment process. We wish to assure Abians that these allegations are baseless and unfounded.

‘The Commission has implemented a robust recruitment process that integrates technology and global HR standards, ensuring transparency, fairness, and meritocracy at every stage.

‘The application, Computer-Based Test (CBT) and interview processes have been meticulously designed to eliminate biases and ensure that only the best and most qualified candidates are selected for the available positions.

‘This process has received continuous praise from candidates and stakeholders, who acknowledge that it sets a new precedent in the public sector for its integrity.

‘We want to assure Abians that, just as with the Computer-Based Tests, the final results of the recruitment process, along with candidates’ documentation status, will be publicly published on the official recruitment portal.

‘This commitment to openness leaves absolutely no room for manipulation or alteration.

‘The Abia State Civil Service Commission is resolute in maintaining the highest standards of integrity and transparency throughout this process.

‘We urge all stakeholders to remain confident in our ability to deliver a fair and merit-based recruitment exercise.

‘We strongly encourage anyone with verifiable information about potential infractions or attempts to misrepresent the Commission to report it immediately through this link: https shorturi at EonF3.

‘We assure all stakeholders that these reports will be thoroughly investigated, and decisive, appropriate actions will be taken against any confirmed breaches.

‘The Abia State Civil Service Commission remains dedicated to ensuring that the recruitment process is conducted with the utmost integrity to build a highly competent and professional healthcare workforce for the state.’

Governor Otti, represented by the Commissioner for Health, Professor Enoch Ogbonnaya Uche, regretted that many women have lost their lives due to uncontrolled complications at the traditional birth attendants, saying that, his administration is intentional about the lives of the people, especially the mother and child, hence his government embarked on the retrofitting of 200 PHCs across all the wards in the state.

He reiterated his resolve to take decisive action against operators of such traditional birth attendants to safeguard the lives of expectant mothers.

He urged community leaders to take ownership of the facility.

The governor disclosed that the state government would also build staff quarters for health workers and encouraged residents to make full use of the centre.

He later conducted a tour of the facility with the State Director of Orientation Agency, Mrs. Ure Abazie, and the traditional ruler of Ohiya, Eze Abel Uhuegbu.

He informed that the centre is equipped with modern facilities including an automatic external defibrillator, radiant warmer, vital signs monitor for pregnant women, ultrasound, parameter machine, weighing scale, general laboratory, and auto analyser among others.

Also speaking, the Mayor of Umuahia South LGA, Engineer Chinedu Enwereuzo, expressed gratitude to Governor Alex Otti for embarking on life-touching projects, describing the projects as a true sign of love for the people.

He urged the Ohiya traditional ruler to ensure the protection of the equipment and called on the community to reciprocate the governor’s gesture at the appropriate time.

He also commended the state for giving health proper attention and encouraged Abians to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards to strengthen their civic responsibility.

Speaking with journalists, the Director General of the Abia State Orientation Agency, Ure Abazie, lauded Governor Otti and the Ministry of Health for prioritising the well-being of Abians.

Osun State governor, Ademola Adeleke has dispatched a top level government delegation to Akinlalu over recent killings involving the Amotekun security outfit.

A statement by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed confirmed that Adeleke has ordered a full investigation into the matter.

He commiserated with all those who lost loved ones in the tragic incident and prayed to God to comfort them.

His words: After receiving the preliminary report, further briefings were presented to the Deputy Governor by the security team with a State Security council meeting now scheduled for Monday to further deliberate on the issue and other emerging security threats in the state.

‘Adeleke has vowed to dig into the root of the fatal encounter between the people of the town and the Amotekun security service, directing that a high powered delegation of government and service chiefs will visit the affected town after the scheduled state security council meeting on Monday.

‘Those expected on the delegation include the Special Adviser on Security Matters to the state governor, the Commissioner for Information, the Commissioner for political affairs, the Commissioner for Transportation, the Attorney General of the State, the Special Adviser on Legal Matters to the governor and service chiefs of the various security agencies.

‘I am a rule of law Governor. This matter is being investigated and any infraction will be dealt with within the context of the law. I have ordered a security council meeting on this incident and others such as fears of spill over from Kwara banditry attacks.’

One of the top contenders, Koyin, has been evicted from Big Brother Naija’s ’10/10′ season.

Koyin became the 2nd runner-up of the season, leaving Imisi and Dede to battle for the ultimate prize of N150m.

The show host Ebuka Obi-Uchendu announced Koyin’s exit, marking a pivotal moment in the competition.

Big Brother Naija premiered on July 26-27, 2025, and is scheduled to conclude today, October 5, 2025.

The eviction sets the stage for an intense finale, with the remaining three housemates vying for the top spot.

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), a leading voice of Northern Nigeria, has condemned what it described as a ‘thinly disguised attempt to sabotage’ the Dangote Petroleum Refinery and Petrochemicals Company, cautioning that such actions pose a threat to Nigeria’s economic stability and investor confidence.

In a statement signed by its National Publicity Secretary, Prof. Tukur Muhammad-Baba, the forum expressed concern over the persistent challenges facing the refinery since its inception, including regulatory hurdles, crude oil supply constraints, pricing disputes, and labor unrest.

ACF lamented that despite the dedication of the refinery’s founder, Alhaji Aliko Dangote, powerful vested interests continue to undermine the facility in a bid to retain control over Nigeria’s oil sector.

‘The challenges confronting the refinery bear the imprint of entrenched cabals bent on sustaining their asphyxiating grip on the oil industry and the national economy,’ the statement said, describing the refinery as Nigeria’s ‘largest and most modern indigenous crude oil processing facility.’

The forum specifically criticized the Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association of Nigeria (PENGASSAN) for allegedly defying a court order restraining it from disrupting refinery operations.

‘No law-abiding organisation should disregard a valid court order,’ the ACF added.

While affirming workers’ rights to unionize, ACF stressed that such rights must be exercised responsibly and supported calls from Senators Adams Oshiomhole and Ali Ndume that the refinery should stabilise before any unionisation activities commence.

‘Workers should focus on helping the refinery become fully operational before introducing union activities,’ the forum stated, adding that the facility should be treated as a strategic national asset deserving of protection from sabotage.

The ACF also warned that any attempt to cripple the refinery would send a negative message to both domestic and international investors. It urged the Federal Government to classify the Dangote Refinery as a strategic national security asset, and take measures to shield it from external and internal threats.

The forum expressed support for ongoing Federal Government-led negotiations with labour unions, but insisted that sanctions must be imposed on any group that violates lawful directives or acts in a manner that endangers national interests.

‘Putting down the Dangote Refinery is a potent disincentive to private investment and a blow to Nigeria’s industrial future,’ ACF warned, urging labour unions to act with patriotism and resist what it called ‘international machinations aimed at sabotaging indigenous industrial development.’

Big Brother Naija housemate, Jason Jae, has been evicted from the ’10/10′ season, leaving five contestants in the race for the grand prize.

The show host Ebuka Obi-Uchendu announced Jason Jae’s exit, marking a major point in the competition as the remaining housemates – Imisi, Dede, Kola, Koyin, and Sultana – battle for the ultimate title.

The hit reality show, which premiered on July 26-27, 2025, is set to conclude today, October 5, 2025.

Jason Jae’s eviction intensifies the suspense, setting the stage for a thrilling finale among the top contenders.

Former Military President, Ibrahim Badamasi Babangida, has remembered his ancestral root in Kumurya village, Bunkure local government area of Kano State, where his grandfather was born.

Babangida’s grandfather, Malam Ibrahim, was born and raised in Kumurya village under Rano emirate before he relocated to Wushishi, Niger State, as a trader.

Upon leaving office as Military Head of State in 1993, Babangida realised he did not bequeath an impressionistic tangible legacy for the Kumurya community.

He however, vowed he must build a project for them before he departs the planet earth.

The last time the issue tugged his heart, Babangida invited Sheikh Ibrahim Khalil -the Chairman, Kano State Council of Ulama, to Minna in August, where he enquired from the Sheikh the kind of project that would serve the people of his origin.

Khalil told IBB that his grandpa’s people now have schools and mosques, so an hospital would be ideal, to stop or reduce to barest minimum maternal and child mortalities and other preventable deaths in the area. Babangida approved.

The village was agog on Sunday as the hospital foundation was laid. Gidan Jefau -the family house of IBB’s late grandfather, also came alive.

At the land where the hospital foundation was laid, General Babangida, represented by General Halliru Akilu, explained that the gesture was fulfilled after 27 years.

IBB said he was proud of his roots in Kumurya, Kano, which had been legendary even before colonialism.

Gen. Akilu said: ‘The former Head of State invited Sheikh Ibrahim Khalil to Minna in August this year and after a discussion, the Sheikh told him that Kumurya lacks a health facility.

‘Babangida, being very generous, therefore supported the idea of building a hospital which he dedicates to his parents and his late wife, Maryam.’

Akilu said he would not give further details of why it took this long before Babangida remembered his roots, noting that the village head was aware of previous attempts to build an Islamiyya school and a mosque for the community.

Akilu further said, even as Head of State, IBB lived and worked with illustrious sons of Rano emirate who are known for their patriotism and dedication to duty.

He listed Generals Murtala Muhammed, Sani Abacha and Babangida as former Heads of State from Kano, adding that General Abdulsalami Abubakar is also traced to Kano, even though many may not know.

The Emir of Rano, Muhammad Isa Umar, said the day was special for the emirate where parents of the former head of state hailed from.

He revealed how Kumurya town is so important to the emirate, disclosing that during the war against Ningi emirate, the late emir of Rano, Alhaji Umaru, was camped there to protect the emirate against invaders.

‘The former head of states (IBB) is very proud of Kumurya and when I was district head of Bunkure, I personally knew of his plans to bring development to the village. This hospital, when completed, will certainly cater for women and children and the general people of Kumurya,’ the emir said.

Village head of Kumurya said, in addition to the hospital, Babangida is rebuilding the mud house known as Gidan Jefau belonging to his uncles, expressing gratitude for the gesture.

Gen. Babangida (Rtd), has revealed that ‘Ibrahim’ in his combination of names is his grandfather’s. And that while joining the military, he was being mistaken for a Yoruba, so he added Babangida in the end to prove his northern ancestry.

He narrated that his great grandfather had migrated from Sokoto to Kumurya in Kano where he gave birth to his grandfather, Ibrahim, who moved to Kontagora before settling in Wushishi, Niger State, where his father, Badamasi, was born.

Badamasi then moved from Wushishi to Minna in 1941 where he gave birth to IBB in August that year.

The Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC) has announced a significant rise in the country’s rig count to 69, reflecting renewed activity and investor confidence in the nation’s oil and gas sector.

In a statement issued on Sunday by its head of media and strategic communication, Eniola Akinkuotu, the Commission said the rig count had grown sharply from eight in 2021 to 69 as of October 2, 2025 – representing a 762.5 percent increase in just four years.

According to the breakdown, the current figure includes 40 active rigs, eight on standby, five on warm stack, four on cold stack, and 12 in transit. The NUPRC added that the number is expected to rise further in the coming months.

The Commission also revealed that its recent policy review led to the identification of 400 dormant oil fields across the country, a move that has spurred previously inactive operators into taking corrective action.

Describing the development as evidence of growing investor confidence, the statement noted that the achievement aligns with President Bola Tinubu’s directive that Nigeria is open for business and that the upstream environment now offers a conducive climate for investment.

The NUPRC further highlighted 16 major post-Petroleum Industry Act (PIA) achievements recorded within its four years of establishment, including surpassing revenue targets despite challenges inherited from the pre-PIA era.

The Commission reaffirmed its commitment to sustaining reforms aimed at maximizing Nigeria’s hydrocarbon potential and driving the country’s energy sector toward sustainable growth.

In 2022, 2023, and 2024, according to the statement, the Commission surpassed its revenue target by 18.3 per cent, 14.65 per cent, and 84.2 per cent, respectively, despite fluctuations in oil production and prices, thus contributing largely to our nation’s economic growth.

NUPRC said there is a record of Potential Investment of $39.98bn from FDPs

Between 2024 and 2025 and that it has approved 79 Field Development Plans (FDP) (41 in 2024 and 38 YTD 2025 with a potential investment of $39.98bn.

NUPRC added that ‘This comprises $20.55bn in 2024 and $19.43bn in YTD 2025.’

It also said that since the inception of the commission, crude oil production has increased, with the current average daily production of 1.65Mbopd expected to increase further with the Project 1 Mbopd initiative, which is aimed at achieving 2.5 Mbopd in 2027, compared to the NUPRC commencement.

On transparent bid rounds, it recalled that before the establishment of the Commission, the licensing rounds were opaque.

It further noted that they were beclouded by political influence, which made the process lack credibility. According to the statement, however, the NUPRC, with the support of President Bola Tinubu, transformed the process to be fully digital, thereby enhancing transparency and credibility.

NUPRC said in line with the PIA, 2021, and with the support of President Bola Tinubu, is implementing the ‘Drill or Drop’ policy, which prescribes that unexplored acreages are to be relinquished.

It stressed that this is designed to ensure the optimal use of oil assets and prevent dormant fields from tying up potential reserves. This policy successfully identified 400 dormant oil fields and has also propelled complacent oil companies to take quick action.

The statement reads in part, ‘Billions in divestments

‘The Commission approved divestments running into billions of dollars in 2024. From the Nigeria Agip Oil Company (NAOC) to Oando Energy Resources; Equinor to Chappal Energies; Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited to Seplat Energies; and Shell Development Company Nigeria Limited to Renaissance Africa Energy.

‘The divestment is about investor portfolio re-ordering to focus on deep-offshore development.

‘Developed regulations

To give meaning to the intent of the PIA, 2021, the Commission, in consultation with stakeholders, has developed 24 forward-thinking Regulations. So far, 19 have been gazetted while 5 await gazetting. These forward-thinking Regulations serve as tools for transparency and the creation of an enabling investment climate and benchmark best practices

‘Gas flare commercialisation

The NUPRC completed awards of flare sites to successful bidders under the Nigerian Gas Flare Commercialisation Programme (NGFCP). The programme is aimed at eliminating gas flaring and attracting at least 2.5 billion dollars in investments.

‘Overall Best Performing Parastatal – SERVICOM

In 2024, the Commission secured the 2024 Overall Best Performing Parastatal SERVICOM Unit (PSU) Award, along with the 2024 Best Performing PSU, Team B Award, a testament to the NUPRC’s commitment to customer service. The NUPRC has again won Best Regulator, 2025 by Nigerian Energy Correspondents, aside over 60 awards from various organisations.

‘HCDTs Remits N358.67bn

Host Community Development Trusts have remitted N122.34bn in naira, while dollar contributions stand at over $168.91m as of October 2025. This translates to a combined remittance of over N358.67bn based on the prevalent exchange rate, in enthroning a conducive host community environment in Nigeria.

Over 536 ongoing community projects

‘Still in the host community, the NUPRC is overseeing at least 536 projects at various stages of completion, including schools, health centres, roads, and vocational centres. These are being funded by the trust fund. The achievement has tremendously curbed crude oil theft.

‘Development Wells Hits 306 between 2022-2025

As part of its mandate to develop the country’s hydrocarbon, the Commission has recorded 306 development wells drilled and completed between 2022 to date.

‘Removing hindrances to exploration with 2D and 3D seismic data

The NUPRC issued Nigeria’s first Petroleum Exploration Licence (PEL) for a large offshore geophysical survey covering 56,000 km² of 3D seismic and gravity data. Furthermore, the Commission has reprocessed 17,000 line-kilometres of 2D seismic data and 28,000 square kilometres of 3D seismic data, producing sharper, higher-resolution images of our petroleum systems and reducing the uncertainties that once hindered exploration decisions.

Other data acquisition includes: 11,300 Sq.km of newly acquired 3D data, processed to PSDM, and 80,000 Sq.km of Multibeam Echo Sounding and Seafloor Geochemical Coring data.

‘Curbing crude oil theft

In 2021, the average daily crude oil losses stood at 102,900 barrels per day or 37.6 million barrels per year. However, due to the combined efforts of the General Security Forces and Private Security Contractors (TANTITA) as well as the collaborative effort of the commission, this has been reduced by 90% to specifically 9,600bpd in September 2025.

‘Furthermore, two pioneer regulations introduced by the Commission have also contributed to the success, namely: The Upstream Measurement Regulation and the Advanced Cargo Declaration Regulation, respectively, have contributed as pioneer efforts at achieving transparency in hydrocarbon accounting.

‘Leading AFRIPERF

‘Even outside the shores of Nigeria, the Engr. Gbenga Komolafe-led NUPRC has continued to show leadership as it championed the establishment of the African Petroleum Regulators Forum (AFRIPERF).

‘The last event of the AFRIPERF at the Africa Oil Week (AOW) was attended by sixteen African Countries, namely: Nigeria, Ghana, Somalia, Gambia, Madagascar, Sudan, Guinea, Togo, Angola, South Africa, Mozambique, Benin Republic, Kenya, Namibia, Morocco, and Mauritania. AFRIPERF provides regulators with the mechanism to harmonise oil and gas development policies to facilitate cross-border infrastructure development, benchmark fiscals, and present a strong voice for Africa in hydrocarbon advocacy globally.’

Increasingly, Nigerian dramatists, playwrights and writers are turning stories of some important personalities, dead and alive, into stage plays. Some of these stories have become epics already. Some have been staged several times on stage. Some are still in the works. But what is important is that, through these stories, history is being made; some people key into them to learn new lessons about how to live outstanding life that benefit the society.

Recently, Makinde Adeniran, the president of National Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (NANTAP) was commissioned to produce a play on Moses Orimolade. Orimolade is the founder of Cherubim and Seraphim Christian Movement in Nigeria. Adeniran, a thorough-bred theatre art practitioner spared no time to set out to the core of the story. At the moment, the story is being cooked, the play is on for rehearsals and will be staged soon enough. He speaks to The Nation on the perspectives of the life and times of this wonderful servant of God that has so inspired and energized him the most.

He says: ‘The story, even though it is the story of Moses Orimolade but the title is going to be Baba Aladura. The reason for this title is not far to seek. The story is an important one, chronicling the stories of religion, the movement of this type of Christian religion in Nigeria. They came before Pentecostalism in Nigeria. Pentecostalism is not the beginning of firebrand Christian movement in Nigeria. No, it is not. Orimolade actually came out before all this religious movements to form C and S. Even before then, there was Ayo Babalola which is CAC. Even the Redeemed Christian Church of God came after these ones. So the Orimolade we are talking about here can be said to be one of the earliest pioneers of this Christian movement. His stories strike us so much. The history is relevant. Therefore, what is happening now is that the sponsors, all members of Cherubim and Seraphim are celebrating the one hundred years of the foundation of this church movement and what Orimolade passed through and was able to achieve so much as a prophet and servant of God’.

He goes on: ‘He called it movement, the C and S movement. Yes, they refer to it as one of the biggest in Nigeria. So, they approached me to first and foremost put the story together. They gave me the research materials and what they felt were the main issues I had to consider in the process of the research. With my own bits of research here and there, I have been able to pick some salient information necessary to make the story quite exciting on stage. And I am quite fascinated about the dossier on him. He lived a remarkable, indeed, powerful spiritual life as a prophet of God.’

According to Adeniran who is also the director of the play, Moses Orimolade’s story was a common story. ‘I refer to it as a common story. You have to see it from that common view to be able to evaluate and appreciate what he did and passed through to be a huge success in his mission. It is by this way, you can see the uniqueness of his calling and how he went about it. He is someone who came from one of the greatest Babalawo families in Ikare, Ekiti State. According to his story, when they gave birth to him, in fact before he was born, he was already talking in his mother’s womb. It was strange but this is the story. In fact, he later became disabled. He was not born with any deformity. No. As soon as he was born, he began to walk’.

Adeniran says further, ‘This infuriated his father who ensured something was done to slow him down. The father felt this abnormal tendency was a total disgrace to the family and he needed to protect the family name.` As he grew up, so many things happened that took him out of Ikare. At a point, the journey also led him into evangelism in parts of South west. In his journey he was known to have been to Benin and so many other places. Thereafter, he ended on Lagos Island where he joined the Baptist Church or so. He was there and all sorts of politics began to take place. You know church is where you play the highest level of politics’.

The story, henceforth, became more intriguing, more engaging. In the words of Adeniran ‘All kinds of politics set in from this moment. Orimolade was just a member of a church who liked to pray, he prayed all the time. He loved consistent, fervent and powerful prayers. Leaders of the church at that time then felt he was taking over their position and power and authority. He could turn evil to good easily through his prayers. Others were not comfortable with this. For me, and from a bit of research there have been only two people who have such power. Two powerful men of God who were able to stop the surging of Lagos beach along Victoria Island. The beach almost took over Lagos. These are Celestial and Cherubim. And recently I did that of Cele’.

Moses Orimolade stopped the beach from overrunning the whole of Lagos. He did it in a very miraculous way through prayer. ‘The Governor-General then who incidentally was a white man and all the chiefs in Lagos did not know what to do. As the ocean surged on and on, fear held everyone. Every day more houses, more roads and more lives were lost to the ocean surge. And then came Orimolade with his prophetic power. They had heard about him. So, they went to him to intercede. And Moses Orimolade came and the beach receded. It happened so fast and sudden that even the white man was shocked, surprised. He called on God to stop it. And God heard him and answered his prayer’.

Adeniran is not done yet. ‘It is true. This happened and God is always at work in the lives of His chosen ones. The Queen of England was sick at a time, very sick. They thought she could die of the sickness. So they sent for him. He told them not to worry that the Queen would recover. As he said it and he prayed and not quite an hour later, they sent a telegram that the Queen had recovered. These are the stages of his life as a man of God. But you know, it is drama now. It is a stage thing and we have to bring them all into acting. The stages of his life would be made believable. Thespians would have to see how the stage characterization would add life to all these deeds and events in the history of one man whose prayers did the impossible’.

In other words, the play would be situated to touch on what common life Orimolade lived for the sake of the kingdom of God on earth and through which he also lived a common life for humanity, for the sake of evangelism and evangelization. The ones he did were so strange that even as of today many doubters still find it difficult to believe that those deeds were possible. Yet some of those more difficult spiritual exploits were performed by Elisha, Elijah and some more prophets. Even Peter did one at the gate of Solomon’s temple, when he made the lame to work by the name of Jesus.

The director is still a bit aloof from it all. He said ‘the one at the beach still shocks me. I held on to only that of Tinubu. It was the only one I saw in my generation. You know what I am saying. I am a spiritual person myself and I believe truly that God can give power for us to move the earth. We have the power to command the beach, yes. It is only God that can give you that power. You can not acquire it. Any time however you see someone with such power, well, he has another strong power. So it is part of his CV. He kept telling people that I stopped the bar beach in Lagos. That means there is hand of God on that person. And we have to be more careful with that sort of person.’

So the play would espouse all these and more. The espousal will become a thriller on stage. The characters are ready to give the scenes their best shots ever to allow for more revelations to subsist on stage. The story is an interesting one because the producers do not want it to be a religious piece. But it has to be a play anchored on the general things of life revolving around one man and what he did to effect the desired changes in the society. People have to have learn from it. What happened before can still happen today. So, we all can go back to the days of these old guys to learn to live cleaner, saner and more positive life that changes things from bad to good. They want the story as simple as that so that irrespective of your denomination you learn from it.

Chinaza Eziaghighala’s novella Chimera follows Yetunde, Amaka, Inyene, and others on the campus of a college of medicine that is unmistakably MedLag. We watch as they grapple with various challenges and display their flaws in all their messy glory and grandeur.

It is narrated in the first person by Amaka, Inyene, and Inspector Babajide, whose voices are presented with unflinching artistry.

At the beginning of the book, we meet Amaka at a Lagos market, amid all the chaos and confusion. Through her, we are introduced to Mama, her grandmother, who raises her after her parents’ death; Yetunde, her friend; and Inyene, her boyfriend, who soon reveals that his eyes are on Amaka. He makes flirtatious moves whenever his girlfriend is not around, moves that stir strange feelings in Amaka, feelings she dares not express for fear of shattering Yetunde’s happiness.

Inyene’s advances towards Amaka make some sense when he says: ‘I had not fully understood what happened, because what I last remembered was booze, weed, colours, and a blasted headache. When I saw Yetunde instead of Amaka, I knew it had happened again, even though I didn’t intend for it to happen this way. I had only skipped about a week’s dose, which wasn’t that much in my opinion; therefore, I didn’t expect this to happen, not so soon anyway.’

Still, we are left with questions, especially about what makes him confuse one friend for the other. The suspense deepens when Yetunde, whose parents live abroad, turns up in the hospital after an attempted suicide. But it doesn’t end there. Upon leaving the hospital, she disappears, and the search for her gives the plot new wings, forcing us to journey through the nooks and crannies in pursuit of this young woman whose life brims with mysteries waiting to be unraveled.

The police soon step in. Inspector Babajide is given the mandate to unravel the circumstances surrounding Yetunde’s disappearance. His daughter, Rita, attends the same school and he feels led to find the missing girl because she could have been his daughter. He goes after Amaka, Inyene, and Ahmed and makes life ‘unbearable’ for them. His discovery breaks hearts and engenders disappointment. Fingers of guilt point at Inyene, but he insists the fingers are pointing in the wrong direction.

As we get closer to the last pages, we are left with no choice but to praise the author for treating themes so heavy with ingenuity. We confront a chimera, that phenomenon of seeing things that exist in the imagination but are impossible in reality.

But Chimera is more than a story of individual breakdowns; it is a magical tale. It also holds a mirror up to a society that refuses to acknowledge the fragility of the mind.

The college setting, with its intense academic competition, substance use, and unspoken emotional burdens, echoes the wider realities faced by young Nigerians striving to ‘succeed’ in a system that rarely allows them to falter.

The market and street scenes also give the author the latitude to run veiled commentaries about the state of infrastructure, especially roads, in Lagos. The persistent darkness also provides the opportunity to comment on what a disappointment the power supplier has become.

The role of religion in our society doesn’t escape the author’s attention. When the pastor visits Inyene in a cell complete with oil and claims of ‘casting out demons’, it seems to reflect a deeply ingrained social reality in Nigeria (and across much of Africa): spiritual interpretations of mental illness often take precedence over medical ones.

This is not just a critique of religion but also an acknowledgment of the power dynamics at play: elders, family members, and spiritual leaders exert pressure, often overriding the agency of the person in crisis.

Meanwhile, Inspector Babajide embodies an older generation’s attempt to restore order without fully grasping the psychological chaos beneath it.

In Chimera, Eziaghighala combines medical insight and fantasy with literary craft to produce a haunting narrative that blurs the line between the real and the unreal.

In smooth prose, she serves us a delicious dish about the human mind and age-old culture.