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The ancient city of Ile-Ife welcomed the world to the grand finale of the 2025 Olojo Festival on Saturday, September 27.

Recognised as one of the most sacred celebrations in Yoruba land, this year’s edition was elevated by the presence of Seaman’s Schnapps – Nigeria’s number one original prayer drink – which proudly served as the official prayer drink used for libation and prayers.

Earlier, His Imperial Majesty, Oonirisa Oba Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi (Ojaja II), received the Seaman’s Schnapps team ahead of his sacred seclusion and expressed gratitude for the brand’s consistent support of the festival and its role in promoting Yoruba heritage.

‘Seaman’s Schnapps has stood with us year after year, showing dedication to this festival and the upliftment of our culture. Such loyalty is worthy of honour, and it strengthens our resolve to preserve these traditions for generations to come. We deeply appreciate this commitment.’

The festival reached its spiritual peak as the Oonirisa emerged from seclusion in a symbolic procession. With chants echoing through the city, Seaman’s Schnapps was poured in prayers and blessings, reinforcing its place in Yoruba spirituality and tradition.

At the Seaman’s experience stands, elegantly branded hostesses welcomed guests, while traditional chanters and ewi performers filled the air with rhythm and reverence. Visitors enjoyed Seaman’s Schnapps, creating a rich fusion of flavour, culture, and celebration.

Mr. Gbemileke Lawal, Marketing Manager, Nigeria Distilleries Limited, said: ‘Olojo Festival is a timeless celebration of Yoruba identity and heritage. Seaman’s Schnapps is proud to serve as the prayer drink at its centre. Our role is to honour tradition and strengthen the link between the past and present.’

Mrs. Nnenna Uche-Onyenacho, Senior Brand Manager, Seaman’s Schnapps, added: ‘Seaman’s Schnapps is more than a drink – it is a cultural icon. Seeing people connect with our brand during this sacred festival reinforces our responsibility to protect heritage while creating significant experiences.’

The 2025 Olojo Festival brought together Yoruba monarchs, dignitaries, cultural enthusiasts, and visitors from around the world. Through every libation, chant, and raised glass, Seaman’s Schnapps reaffirmed its role as the drink of honour, prayer, and blessings – a true bridge between the ancestors and today’s generation.

As Nigeria celebrates 65 years of independence from Great Britain, voices from the nation’s faith community are adding depth to the national reflection. From Archbishop Joseph Ojo’s call for a generational shift in leadership, to Bishop Charles Ighele’s reminder that political freedom without economic and social liberation is incomplete; from Rev. Jimmy Adetoyese-Olagunju’s charge to move ‘beyond prayer’ toward practical nation-building, to Bishop Robertson Akwazi’s echo of President Bola Tinubu’s message of hope and resilience-clerics are urging Nigerians to see independence not just as history, but as a mandate for renewal. Together, their messages highlight a common thread: Nigeria’s future greatness depends on faith, values, visionary leadership, and the active participation of its citizens.

Archbishop Ojo calls for younger leadership to drive nation forward

As Nigeria marks its 65th Independence Anniversary, Archbishop Joseph Ojo, Founder of Calvary Kingdom Church, has called for a generational shift in leadership, urging younger Nigerians to take more strategic roles in steering Africa’s most populous nation toward greater progress.

Speaking in an interview, Ojo reflected on the nation’s journey since October 1, 1960, recalling the excitement that filled the air when Nigerians first gained self-rule from Great Britain. ‘I was 11 years old when we got our independence, and I was so excited because we felt that indigenous people could now lead us after being ruled by foreigners. We were hopeful that things would get better,’ he said.

According to the cleric, Nigeria has made significant strides in population, governance, and development since independence, but the pace of progress is being slowed by the age and capacity of its leaders. ‘At 65, a person cannot do the work of a young person. Old men like us cannot bear the nation’s burdens anymore. Those who have led have tried their best, but they must be courageous enough to allow younger people to participate in leadership,’ he stated.

Archbishop Ojo stressed the importance of giving young Nigerians not only opportunities to serve but also key positions where their creativity and energy can be maximised. ‘Most of the things we do, we get counsel from young brains. When you put younger people in strategic places, development happens faster,’ he noted.

Looking ahead, Ojo expressed optimism that Nigeria’s future remains bright despite its challenges. ‘Over the years, we have not done badly, but things can improve a lot more than this. I am very hopeful that Nigeria will be great again in my lifetime. Our currency might not be at par with the dollar, but the country will be better and favourable for all Nigerians,’ he affirmed.

As the country celebrates 65 years of independence, his message is clear: the next phase of Nigeria’s greatness will depend on empowering its youth with the mantle of leadership.

Nigeria, not yet old enough at 65-Bishop Ighele

When Nigeria gained independence from Great Britain on October 1, 1960, the air was filled with optimism. Flags waved, hopes soared, and citizens believed that the new nation would chart its course toward prosperity and self-reliance. But 65 years later, Bishop Charles Ighele, General Superintendent of Holy Spirit Mission (The Happy Family Nation), argues that the country still struggles with the very essence of independence.

‘Independence for a nation can be proclaimed in a day,’ Ighele reflected. ‘But while it takes a day to declare independence, it takes years and decades to really become independent.’

For him, Nigeria’s story at 65 is one of political freedom without the substance of economic and social liberation. He notes that while Nigerian leaders are bold in speech and action, often without fear of international reprimand, the country remains dependent in critical areas such as food security, education, health care, and infrastructure.

‘At age 65, Nigeria is far from having a semblance of independence in providing food for her huge population,’ he said.

Despite abundant arable land-Nigeria holds one of the largest percentages of cultivable land in Africa-millions still go hungry. ‘People are dying of hunger because the people have not been politically led and socially and educationally parented to benefit from the huge agricultural resources in the country.’

To Ighele, agriculture is not just a means of feeding the population but a pathway to national wealth. ‘There is more money in agriculture than in crude oil,’ he insisted, urging government to embark on what he calls ‘agricultural socialisation’ to reorient citizens toward farming and agribusiness.

Beyond food production, Ighele laments Nigeria’s overreliance on foreign expertise in construction and engineering. ‘A situation where all major construction projects are being executed by foreign-owned companies is simply sending the message that Nigerian education has not provided the engineers and other construction workers who can independently run companies that can embark on massive projects,’ he said. For now, he added, the nation’s best brains often end up employed by these foreign firms rather than leading indigenous enterprises.

The Bishop further highlighted the paradox of poverty that defines everyday life. With about 70 percent of Nigerians living in hardship, many depend on a small fraction of wealthier relatives, governments, or humanitarian groups for survival. ‘A nation where the majority are poor and look to palliatives is far from independence,’ he observed. Without urgent reversal, he warned, Nigeria risks becoming ‘like an old poor man who achieved nothing or a rich evil man who did evil but now about to die regretting how he lived his life.’

Despite these grim realities, Ighele remains hopeful that Nigeria can rewrite its story. He believes the current government has the intellectual capacity to reverse the trend of dependency and lead the nation toward true independence. ‘Having had political independence, all other sections of our national life should be made to become independent,’ he urged.

For Bishop Ighele, Nigeria at 65 is not too old to change, but not yet mature enough to fully grasp the weight of its independence. His message is both a caution and a call: to seize the next decades not as a burden of missed opportunities, but as a chance to finally embody the independence proclaimed in 1960.

Bishop Akwazi calls for unity, national renewal

As Nigeria celebrates her 65th Independence anniversary, the Cross River State Chairman of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria and the Presiding Bishop City Gate International Churches Worldwide, Cross River State, Bishop Robertson Ugar Akwazi has urged Nigerians to embrace President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s message of hope, faith, and action-reminding citizens that with Almighty God on their side, a new, prosperous, and self-reliant Nigeria is possible.

The bishop, reflecting on the President’s Independence Day address, noted that while the journey has been filled with trials, the nation’s resilience is proof that a brighter future lies ahead.

For him, Nigeria’s story at 65 is one of political freedom without the substance of economic and social liberation. He notes that while Nigerian leaders are bold in speech and action, often without fear of international reprimand, the country remains dependent in critical areas such as food security, education, health care, and infrastructure.

‘At age 65, Nigeria is far from having a semblance of independence in providing food for her huge population,’ he said.

Despite abundant arable land-Nigeria holds one of the largest percentages of cultivable land in Africa-millions still go hungry. ‘People are dying of hunger because the people have not been politically led and socially and educationally parented to benefit from the huge agricultural resources in the country.’

To Ighele, agriculture is not just a means of feeding the population but a pathway to national wealth. ‘There is more money in agriculture than in crude oil,’ he insisted, urging government to embark on what he calls ‘agricultural socialisation’ to reorient citizens toward farming and agribusiness.

Beyond food production, Ighele laments Nigeria’s overreliance on foreign expertise in construction and engineering. ‘A situation where all major construction projects are being executed by foreign-owned companies is simply sending the message that Nigerian education has not provided the engineers and other construction workers who can independently run companies that can embark on massive projects,’ he said. For now, he added, the nation’s best brains often end up employed by these foreign firms rather than leading indigenous enterprises.

The Bishop further highlighted the paradox of poverty that defines everyday life. With about 70 percent of Nigerians living in hardship, many depend on a small fraction of wealthier relatives, governments, or humanitarian groups for survival. ‘A nation where the majority are poor and look to palliatives is far from independence,’ he observed. Without urgent reversal, he warned, Nigeria risks becoming ‘like an old poor man who achieved nothing or a rich evil man who did evil but now about to die regretting how he lived his life.’

Despite these grim realities, Ighele remains hopeful that Nigeria can rewrite its story. He believes the current government has the intellectual capacity to reverse the trend of dependency and lead the nation toward true independence. ‘Having had political independence, all other sections of our national life should be made to become independent,’ he urged.

For Bishop Ighele, Nigeria at 65 is not too old to change, but not yet mature enough to fully grasp the weight of its independence. His message is both a caution and a call: to seize the next decades not as a burden of missed opportunities, but as a chance to finally embody the independence proclaimed in 1960.

Bishop Akwazi calls for unity, national renewal

As Nigeria celebrates her 65th Independence anniversary, the Cross River State Chairman of the Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria and the Presiding Bishop City Gate International Churches Worldwide, Cross River State, Bishop Robertson Ugar Akwazi has urged Nigerians to embrace President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s message of hope, faith, and action-reminding citizens that with Almighty God on their side, a new, prosperous, and self-reliant Nigeria is possible.

The bishop, reflecting on the President’s Independence Day address, noted that while the journey has been filled with trials, the nation’s resilience is proof that a brighter future lies ahead.

In the next few days, Ekiti State governor, Mr. Biodun Oyebanji, will clock three years in office. How would you assess the administration so far?

It has been one transformative step after another in Ekiti State since October 16, 2022. Over the past three years, the state has witnessed a lot of transformational strides in infrastructure, health education, agriculture particularly, and even in governance. If I were to score Governor Biodun Oyebanji, I would give him 90% because when you talk about the social contract with Ekiti people; his manifesto that he declared, which was broken down into programmes and projects at the inception and what he promised to deliver to Ekiti people, he has done well.

Is it in the area of tourism development or infrastructure? The results are visible. Of course not everything has been done, there are still rooms for improvement, but it is clear that he has touched lives and impacted the state significantly.

Some opposition figures claim Oyebanji is intolerant to criticism, despite being widely regarded as a humble and liberal leader. How would you describe his leadership style?

I think such claims do not dignify the person or position of Governor Oyebanji. People should understand that he is a scholar of political science. He understands the nuances of governance, having served in various capacities under past administrations for decades. He has come to understand something many past leaders did not, and some even now do not-that it is better to multiply your friends, regardless of party platforms.

So, he has distinguished between the time of politicking, when you are looking for votes, and the time of governance, when you are governor of all Ekiti. With that, he bent backwards to people like former governors Ayodele Fayose and Segun Oni, who took him to the Supreme Court, and many other people. He has also reached out to people outside politics like Baba Afe Babalola (SAN), Chief Wale Olanipekun (SAN), Femi Falana (SAN0, among others.

Reaching out to a wide spectrum of Ekiti people, whether partisan or not has been his style. Like he said recently, he has tried to make peace with everybody that is available. There is a person known to everybody who didn’t make himself available for peace. It is not that he is intolerant of opposition. He always says: when politics is gone, now is governance.

For me, I see him as a reincarnation of the grand master of politics without bitterness, Alhaji Waziri Ibrahim of the then Great Nigeria People’s Party. I see Oyebanji in that mould of politics without bitterness. It is not about being intolerant of opposition; he wants, as much as possible, to court many people and bring them to a common term. For us in Ekiti, it is a win-win because we have peace. If he had not done that, with the election of June 2026 approaching, the tension would have been high. But today, there is peace everywhere across the three senatorial districts.

Ekiti State reportedly receives significant monthly allocations from the federation account. How has the administration ensured these funds are translated into tangible improvements for Ekiti people?

The impacts are visible in several sectors. On road infrastructure, this government has awarded projects worth N200 billion within three years, covering about 350 kilometers of roads across all local governments. Of these, 126 kilometers have been completed with many set for commissioning during the third year anniversary.

Major roads like Ara-Ikole-Isinbode, Ikere-Igbara Odo, Ikere-Ilawe, Igbara Odo-Ikogosi are among them. Phase one of the ring road, which is a masterpiece, will also be commissioned, along with many other infrastructures. The overhead bridge is ongoing, nearing about 70% completion, and will be completed by February 2026. The Indoor Sports Hall is ongoing, the Revenue House has been completed and will also be commissioned. The Ekiti state House of Assembly is undergoing remodelling as we speak. There was also the construction of a 100-bed hostel at Command Secondary School in Isan.

In educational development, 203 secondary schools and technical colleges have been renovated. These are on the Ekiti Dashboard, which the Office of Transformation and Service Delivery procured and delivered. There are photographs and video clips to verify this. In the health sector, five General Hospitals will be commissioned this October in Efon Alaaye, Okemesi, Ayede, and Ifaki. They are fully equipped with state-of-the-art facilities that can be found anywhere. They can carry out operations in all these General Hospitals.

Members of the National Assembly, the governor told us, cooperated with him to ensure that the hospitals are well staffed with personnel so that whatever is needed is available. These are the things the government is putting up. While some have already been completed, some are waiting commissioning, and others are ongoing. These are things that people can verify because we always tell them to visit the dashboard.

There are other interventions apart from infrastructure. Take Internally Generated Revenue (IGR): from the onset, Ekiti State was averaging around N650 million as at October 2022 per month. Today, as at June 2025, the IGR per month has risen to N2.3 billion. A lot has also come in because the governor allowed autonomy for the Ekiti Internal Revenue Service starting from when the Chairman was appointed which was rigorous. He assembled his team and was given a free hand.

A lot of reforms were carried out and here we are today. Right now, this government has approved and is implementing eGIS. With that, people can get their Certificates of Occupancy without any problem, people can acquire land, the incidences of land grabbing will be eliminated, and a lot will come in for the state through that. Citizens-professionals like land surveyors, town planners, engineers, and architects-will benefit from all these. These are areas of intervention of the state.

About 250 health workers, nurses, and midwives were recruited, and up to 103 Primary Healthcare Centres all across the state were renovated with modern equipment, water, electricity, and fencing. When you talk about gratuities, it has been massive. In total, the government of Ekiti State has paid pensions up to date from October 2022 to September 2025 to the tune of N25.97 billion, and gratuities of up to N7.6 billion since inception.

This has outpaced all other previous governments in Ekiti State. For example, during the Segun Oni era, people lauded him for paying pensions. That was one of the things used against Oyebanji, with claims he might not pay pensions and gratuities like Oni did. But the record today shows that Governor Oyebanji’s administration has surpassed that achievement.

In agricultural interventions, as we speak, up to 40,000 hectares of land have been cleared for farmers for free, and that is why Ekiti, now in the Southwest, is in the news.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics, Ekiti State has the lowest price index for food stuffs in the South west. About 5,000 youths are currently engaged with the Bring Back Youths in Agriculture program. This has helped the agriculture development pillar of this administration. 160,000 broilers are being raised and produced by the youths in poultry farming across the state.

The government has also established the Ilu Eye Aggregation Hub. They bought tons of maize, rice, garri, and other foodstuffs, preserved and stored them. From there, they now have the Ounje Ekiti Retail Outlet, a new initiative where food prices are sold at lower rates than in the markets. Seedlings, cassava stems, and so on are being subsidized at 50%. Fertilizers are given out to farmers. There is support for rice farmers all across the state.

Ekiti has also encouraged cluster farming. This is ongoing in my own town, and I have visited some farm settlements in the state. Dormitories are being built for them and three will be commissioned this October. Farm settlements, like in the days of Late Obafemi Awolowo, will be commissioned with mattresses and beds in Ikere, Iyemero, and Eporo. It’s amazing to go round these places and see the transformation going on.

This is the first time we are having the State House of Assembly in harmony with the government, passing the necessary laws and supporting the governor. Ekiti has never had it so good in terms of harmony and peace. This is what some people don’t like, which is why they accuse the governor of being intolerant of opposition.

The governor has received overwhelming endorsement from various stakeholders in the state including traditional rulers, market women, traders, union leaders, and some opposition leaders. But critics say the endorsements are transactional. Are they genuine?

They are genuine. When you look across party lines whether among youths or women, who are the greatest voting blocs, or among market men and women, artisans, and even labour unions you see real support. For example, Ekiti currently pays one of the highest minimum wage in Nigeria, second only to Lagos State, which explains labour’s support and endorsement.

Party leaders and elders also do. This is the first time we are seeing harmony and peace in the state like never before. The PDP used to be the main opposition, but today, where is the opposition? Most of the noise is only on social, print, or electronic media. On the streets of Ado-Ekiti or any town, have you seen any posters announcing the candidacy of anybody?

By and large, these endorsements are worthwhile and come out of people’s hearts, not because they were bought. I have read on social media claims that the state government sponsored them. No, some of us who are players tasked ourselves, because I am part of the players. The governor didn’t even get involved. Not just at the state level even at senatorial and local government levels.

Even in Abuja, for the governor to submit his expression of interest forms, some of us went there. Nobody paid for airfare. It was out of love and affection for the governor and the government’s stellar performance. Even the National Working Committee of the party said they had never seen anything like it before, just for a governor to submit his form. It had never happened before for any APC candidate, whether returning to office or contesting anew.

But there are claims that the governor is focusing much of his energy and state resources on his re-election. How does he balance politics with the demands of governance?

Not at all. Governance is very much on course. The governor was involved in the 3rd Anniversary Committee meeting, and we have given him feedback. I am in charge of the 3rd Anniversary Project Sub-Committee and I gave my report. There is still going to be another round of project monitoring and inspection. Others in education and agriculture are doing the same. Governance is not distracted at any level as we speak. It is fully on course.

You see, sometimes I just laugh at how some politicians think. For me, I only recently came into politics. I used to be an analyst, analyzing situations on the national scene. Now I am in Ekiti State and have been living here for the past two years, in my hometown in Ido-Ekiti. The Senator representing Ekiti North, Cyril Fasuyi, had a meeting with us just this Saturday. I was there as one of the party leaders. It was to prepare us for the scheduled primary election. Likewise, every local government is holding meetings.

There are teams going from local government to local government. Virtually everywhere, ward by ward, you are getting 95-97% of people with Oyebanji and the President on the second term endorsements. From the submission of forms to the screening, Governor Oyebanji presented all the names he was to present. For two other candidates, whose names I won’t mention so I won’t be misquoted, either their names were not submitted enough or most of the names were not genuine. Even meeting the required numbers was a problem. All these are in the news and have not been denied.

From the Appeals Committee, the matter was forwarded to the National Working Committee of the party to decide, so as not to lay a bad precedent. I don’t want to preempt the outcome of the NWC, but it is there for everyone to see.

One of the APC aspirants, Engr. Kayode Ojo, has expressed confidence that Governor Oyebanji can be defeated in a free and fair primary. Do you share this view?

No. To suggest the governor is facing stiff opposition is far from the truth. What exists are only pockets of opposition, mostly loud on social media but insignificant on the ground.

Across the 177 wards in Ekiti, the reality is overwhelming support for Governor Oyebanji’s second term bid. The streets, the markets, and the grassroots are solidly with him. They are also with President Bola Tinubu for a second term. That is the reality on the ground in Ekiti State.

Some aspirants claim that names of their loyalists were deliberately omitted from the APC membership register to weaken their chances. What’s your response?

I heard of such claims for the first time and I responded. Even in my constituency, someone was online making noise. You can be very loud online but not carry political weight. This person was causing trouble on social media. I interjected because I knew him-we attended the same primary school. The last time I checked, he was in the SDP. I asked: how come? He said, ‘I am free to belong to any association.’ I kept quiet. That is just a tip of the iceberg.

The truth is some people left the APC when former Governor Segun Oni contested under SDP. Maybe they forgot to return. They are not in the APC register. Some of them tried to come back and asked for identity cards, but party leaders rightly question their membership status. That is exactly what happened. It is not a case of exclusion. It’s simply the consequence of their earlier decisions. Politics has rules, and one cannot eat their cake and still expect to have it.

What are Governor Oyebanji’s chances in both the APC primary and the 2026 general election?

The chances are very high. For party core and critical stakeholders, we are looking beyond the scheduled primary of October 27 because that is a done deal. We are already looking towards June 2026. Governor Oyebanji will fly the APC flag for a second term, and he will not only win, but win massively, in a record-breaking way.

I did research about Governor Babatunde Fashola in Lagos for my PhD in 2012. Part of the findings was that in that election, he scored over 80%, one of the widest margins in Nigerian history. Based on current realities, Governor Oyebanji has the goodwill, the performance record, and the support base to surpass that record. I see him scoring up to 90% in that election.

The actuality has turned out to be more dire than the auguries. The sixty fifth anniversary of Nigeria has now come and gone. As it has been predicted, the national mood was sombre and subdued. As the day approached, the discerning could feel a thick pall of despondency in the air and an atmosphere of generalized desperation. It was as if the dispensing machines had run out of vending hope and optimism after a run on them. This is the staple fare of pain-killing morphine on which an embattled and embittered populace had depended on in sixty five years of trial and tribulation. But addiction to pain-killers, like the pain-killers themselves, often have their expiry date and time.

Given the general state of perturbation and widespread anxiety in the land, one was not unduly surprised when the announcement came cancelling the Independence Day parade, thus stripping the occasion of its pomp and pageantry. Whenever you have this kind of unusual announcement, the airwaves are rife with rumours and unsettling speculations that something nasty was in the offing. In the event, rather than glad-handing and iron-pumping in Abuja, the president chose to remain in his Lagos residence from where he rallied the nation in an Independence speech of rousing bravery and exceptional tough-mindedness. But if the truth must be told, it was of little avail, for it was at this particular point that the PENGASSAN versus Dangote Refinery faceoff snowballed into a full-blown downing of tools by the oil-sector workers. As long queues resurfaced at the petrol station and as commuters and motorists alike began hunting for the rare stuff like primitive hunter-gatherers, the downbeat mood became even more sullied and unappeasable.

Cashing in on the unfortunate situation, some of the leaders who have led the nation up this ruinous path began calling for drastic reform or revolution. The veteran roadrunner among them, without any sense of momentous irony, insisted that the time had come to smash the moribund system. Why he thinks he himself and his vast retinue will escape the fury of the revolutionary mob in the event of an upheaval remains a source of profound mystery. Even more worrisome is the possibility that the nation is being set up for a catastrophic descent into anarchy as a prelude or dress rehearsal for the voting year of 2027 and all its magical possibilities.

But why the year 2025 in its ember phase and the occasion of its sixty fifth anniversary should cast such an ominous pall of magical possibilities on the nation deserve more scrutiny. It may well be that just as humans suffer anxiety neurosis so do nations. In the modern bureaucratic calendar that we have adopted, the age of sixty five is the ultimate and terminal retirement age, the sharp cut-off point of all elongated shenanigans, extensions, multiple additions and covert adjustments. The retiree must go into compulsory retirement to embrace the dark shadows of old age, senescence or senility as the case may be, if they are not recalled by their maker. This is the age in which the patients worry themselves to death about missed deadlines, missed opportunities, vanished timelines and datelines.

There is a time for everything. You cannot be fretting about interview schedules or frantic about fresh job opportunities when you are already at the departure lounge waiting for the final call. The dominance of oral culture in Africa allows us to take a bitter jig at our colonially imposed modern calendar with its mechanical and mechanistic framework which does not allow or permit creative laxity or imaginative evasions. Due to lack of public records, it is only in Africa that the same person could hold on to multiple birthdates on the ground that he was born several moons ago on a market day with birds singing and goats bleating furiously, or where a centenarian can often pass as a sprightly septuagenarian. But that too must end at some point, like the Egungun Festival which must terminate at some point no matter the associated merriments and festivities. Time is the ultimate leveler which must bring together all the contending classes including children of loafers and the scions of loaf-masters.

History is the master of allegory or allegorized reality. History, in its actual lived experience and confounding perplexities, often simplifies reality for us and resolves its own conundrums as it unfolds and expands thrusting its heady contradictions at us as we struggle to make sense of its awesome imponderables. Only last week in this column, we narrated how this columnist was invited in 1985 by the duo of Dele Giwa and Ray Ekpu to contribute to a publication to commemorate the twenty fifth anniversary of the nation. As it was explained last Sunday, the columnist latched on to the image of a master paradox to explain away the strange combination of magnificent strengths and gargantuan weaknesses which seem to have defined the existence of the nation since amalgamation. For many people the idea of a roiling paradox has since entered the national imagination as a general password for unlocking the Nigerian predicament.

Ten years after this landmark publication, Dele Giwa has been bombed out of existence about a year after on October 19th 1986. But in a strange twist of grueling irony, it was the turn of Kayode Soyinka, Dele Giwa’s golden boy and favourite newshound, to invite this columnist to ruminate on the circumstances of Nigeria on its thirty fifth anniversary commemoration. In the intervening decade, Soyinka, who only miraculously escaped being brutally dispatched like his boss, had transited from being an intrepid reporter to becoming the publisher of the respectable and influential magazine, Africa Today. That October, the nation’s reputation was in tatters having plumbed the depth of disrepute to become a pariah in the comity of nations. General Sani Abacha had bared his steely fangs and the entire nation lay cowering under the hammer of his brutal despotism. The mood of the nation darkened and there was a foul distemper about reminiscent of the goggled tyrant himself. Nobody ever believed that politically speaking, things could turn that foul and nasty.

This time around, this writer fastened on the image of a giant toddler at thirty five trundling about the bare floor unable to get up and go. A toddler at thirty five is a genetic monstrosity; a victim of irreversible retardation and arrested development. It recalls the figure of, Aboliga, the man-child ,Ayi Kwei Armah’s haunting creation in The Beautyful Ones Are Not Yet Born. The one-day wonder grew to manhood and full maturity the same day he was born only to perish that same day. Nothing grows or endures for long in the sultry tropics, certainly not people, nations and institutions, and the equatorial torpor has claimed its own once again.

That was thirty years ago after a presidential election that promised to unite and unify the nation produced a hapless civilian interloper and the most monstrous despot ever seen in the history of the nation. The caustic severity of the framing referent of an earth-hugging adolescent toddler was an accurate reflection of the national trauma as Nigeria cascaded over the cliff to the bottomless pit of self-eradication once again. If any substantial damage has been done to the national fabric, the nation has had the intervening three decades to heal and to repair the damage. First was the heroic struggle against military absolutism which has since entered the universal folklore of the struggle of a people for self-emancipation. The upheaval against military eruption which sent the soldiers back to the barracks can be regarded as the golden moment of Nigeria’s post-independence history.

Unfortunately, and by universal consensus, the post-military civilian restoration has, in the main, been underwhelming in its performance, particularly in the areas of the economy, national cohesion and the scourge of corruption and mismanagement. To be sure, there have been a few bright spots at both the national and subnational levels such as the brilliant demilitarization programme of the Obasanjo regime and the sterling performance at the state levels particularly in Lagos and in emerging stars such as Ekiti, Enugu, Abia and perhaps entrepreneurially driven Akwa Ibo. But all these are too few and far between to make a dent on the fortunes of the nation.

So what is the verdict on Nigeria at sixty five as the nation marked a gloomy anniversary this past week? The answers came in torrents and they could not be gloomier than the mood of the nation itself. This time around and in a startling development which hints at a global revolution in the knowledge industry and a change in demographic reflecting the growing predominance of youth in the power equation, it was Nigerians themselves who supplied the answers. This time around, Nigerians did not need ‘specialists’ to explain away the antics of ‘madmen’; neither do they need their celebrated intellectuals and writers to explain the plight of the nation. They dismissed the nation as akin to a sixty five year old retiree without any further hope of redemption or restitution; a nation with a great future firmly behind it.

Fortunately, the timeline of a nation’s existence is completely different from the lifespan of a human organism. Unlike human life, the nation is an infinite continuum with an oceanic plenitude of time. Nation’s do not succumb to sudden death or peremptory cardiac seizure. Even where breakup is a definite possibility, the warning signals are almost elastic in their sheer permissiveness. This is why Nigeria still has a lot to play for. It is not over until it is over. But a lot still needs to be done to halt the drift to Golgotha. This is a great country. But like all violently heterogeneous entities it is taking quite some time to come together and the human toll, the collateral damages, have been quite prohibitive. The coming decade will be quite critical in our quest for that elusive and authentic national consensus.

As Nigeria celebrates its 65th anniversary of independence, it stands at a crucial turning point, boldly redefining its identity in the digital age. The nation is determined to harness technology and innovation as key drivers of growth, connectivity, and empowerment for all its citizens. This is a time of renewed hope and unwavering ambition for a prosperous future.

In this era of rapid digital transformation, Nigeria is confidently embracing unprecedented developments across multiple sectors, including finance, education, healthcare, and agriculture. The rise of digital platforms is effectively bridging gaps, fostering entrepreneurship, and creating exceptional opportunities for the youth to excel. This dynamic landscape represents more than just the adoption of technology; it is about strategically harnessing it to unlock the country’s immense potential.

Despite the challenges we’ve faced over the years, there’s a vibrant spirit of resilience and optimism growing among Nigerians. Communities are uniting to tackle social issues, champion change, and promote inclusivity. This revival is driven by our collective dream of a brighter future, filled with hope and abundant opportunities for everyone to thrive. Let’s embrace this journey together!

As Nigeria embarks on this new chapter, the focus on digital innovation and community engagement paves the way for transformative growth, positioning the nation as a beacon of hope and possibility in the 21st century.

From Colonial Shadows to Digital Dawn

Before gaining independence in 1960, Nigeria was a rich tapestry of diverse kingdoms and ethnic groups, including the Hausa-Fulani in the north, the Yoruba in the southwest, and the Igbo in the southeast. Despite British colonial influence, the resilience and creativity of the Nigerian people shone through, paving the way for a united and prosperous future.

The quest for independence in Nigeria culminated in sovereignty in October 1960, sparking hopes for unity. However, the following decades were marked by military coups, economic turmoil due to fluctuating oil prices, and social unrest from ethnic and religious divides.

By 2025, Nigeria has transformed into a vibrant nation, showcasing the resilience of its youthful population. The country boasts a thriving start-up culture, with entrepreneurs making strides in technology, entertainment, and agriculture. This wave of innovation is driven by Nigeria’s embrace of the digital age, as improved mobile technology and internet access create vast opportunities.

As Nigeria confidently charts its path toward progress, it finds itself at a unique crossroads where rich tradition meets vibrant modernity. The nation is deeply rooted in its diverse cultural heritage, which encompasses a multitude of languages, customs, and historical influences. This wealth of diversity not only shapes the identity of its people but also serves as a key asset in navigating the challenges of contemporary society.

Nigeria is committed to leveraging its heritage to create innovative solutions that meet societal needs and promote economic growth. By combining traditional practices with modern technologies, the country aims to honour its past while embracing globalization and technological advancement, striving for a prosperous and inclusive future for all citizens.

Tinubu’s Digital-Era Reforms: A Nation Reimagined

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration has ushered in a wave of reforms that are positioning Nigeria as a beacon of economic resilience and digital transformation. Here’s how:

Economic Diversification and Fiscal Discipline

By August 2025, the country reached an extraordinary milestone in its non-oil revenue generation, accumulating over ?20 trillion. This remarkable achievement was driven primarily by a robust performance in September, during which the country generated ?3.65 trillion in non-oil revenues alone. This figure represents an astounding increase of 411% compared to the revenue figures recorded in May 2023, showcasing a significant turnaround in the nation’s fiscal health.

The significant increase in non-oil revenue has decisively strengthened the country’s financial stability, particularly evident in the substantial improvement of the debt service-to-revenue ratio. Previously a troubling 97%, this key metric has now been reduced to below 50%. Such a drastic decrease demonstrates a clear alleviation of fiscal pressures and empowers the government to effectively direct resources towards developmental initiatives.

The economy has made significant progress, marked by a trade surplus for five consecutive quarters. Non-oil exports now account for 48% of total exports, showcasing successful diversification from oil dependency and increasing competitiveness in global markets.

Infrastructure and Regional Development

The infrastructure sector is experiencing significant advancements, marked by an impressive portfolio of over 440 road projects currently underway and nearly 2,700 kilometres of new superhighways set for completion. A key highlight of this ambitious initiative is the recent inauguration of the Lagos-Calabar Coastal Highway. This strategic route is poised to greatly enhance the tourism industry and trade activities along the coast, effectively improving access and connectivity between vital economic hubs.

Alongside remarkable advancements in transportation, the government has launched six new regional development commissions that are vital in energizing local economic initiatives and providing customized support for diverse communities. With a significant investment of ?4 trillion dedicated to these commissions, there stands a strong commitment to nurturing sustainable local growth and development.

These transformative initiatives demonstrate a strong commitment to enhancing infrastructure, while also paving the way for a bright future rich with new opportunities and an improved quality of life for many.

Digital and Energy Transformation

Recently, significant developments have been made in the energy sector, including the addition of 1,500 MW to the national grid, alongside solar electrification initiatives for 22 federal universities. Additionally, a Rural Electrification Program has been launched with the goal of providing power to 1 million homes. On the financial front, there has been a concerted effort to stabilize the Naira through foreign exchange reforms, which have also facilitated the clearance of $10 billion in foreign exchange liabilities.

Education and Youth Empowerment

The Nigerian government has made significant strides in supporting education and healthcare. The NELFUND student loan initiative, along with the Presidential Loan and Grant Scheme, has positively impacted over 1.2 million Nigerians. In an effort to address the issue of brain drain in the medical field, eight new medical universities have been approved. Furthermore, vocational trainees under the age of 40 are now receiving monthly stipends of ?45,000, promoting skill development and financial assistance for young individuals entering the workforce.

Agriculture and Social Investment

The government has implemented several measures to support the agricultural sector and enhance food security. This includes financial assistance for farmers through the Bank of Agriculture. Additionally, N330 billion has been distributed to assist 8 million vulnerable households. To further strengthen food security and promote exports, agro-processing zones have been established.

National Security and Stability

In recent developments, over 13,500 terrorists have been neutralized, leading to a significant decrease in insurgency and kidnapping activities. This positive trend has contributed to renewed confidence in Nigeria’s global standing, as evidenced by the increase in foreign reserves, which have now reached $42.03 billion.

Nigeria’s Trajectory: From Hope to Sustainability

Tinubu’s ‘Renewed Hope Agenda’ represents more than just a catchphrase; it serves as a strategic framework aimed at fostering sustainable development in Nigeria. The initiative focuses on harnessing digital tools, decentralizing growth, and investing in human capital to shape a promising future. It empowers the youth to transform their aspirations into reality, encourages regional development that honours cultural and economic diversity, and prioritizes the establishment of digital infrastructure as a foundational element for governance, education, and commerce.

Reflection: A Nation Reborn

As you celebrate Nigeria’s 65th independence anniversary on October 1st, you’re not merely observing history but actively participating in a transformative moment. This nation has evolved beyond its age to focus on its ambitions, positioning itself as a leader in Africa’s journey towards digital prosperity and sustainable growth. Nigeria is ready to embrace a new era of innovation and development.

The Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG) Chapel of Love, Abule Osho, Ogun State, and family members penultimate Sunday celebrated the 60th birthday of Mrs. Victoria Ayeni, described as a dedicated Sunday school teacher in the church.

At the thanksgiving service held in her honour, family, friends, and church members said the milestone event served as an occasion to celebrate her life of faith and dedicated service.

Ayeni, in her reflection, provided an insight into a life guided by unwavering faith, stressing that her longevity and blessings are a clear manifestation of answered prayers.

‘I am grateful about everything. God has been answering my prayers, God has been good to me,’ the celebrant stated, adding that ‘Most of the time I call upon Him, He is always answering me. I want to thank the Lord for the spirit to know Him and I pray that the Lord will help me to continue to know Him more in the name of Jesus Christ.’

In a moving testimony, she described a domestic accident involving her son, which she described as an ‘unforgettable’ moment.

‘The one that I cannot forget easily is when my son had a domestic accident. He fell on top of a Pepsi bottle. His intestine came out. But my son survived by a divine intervention. I saw the goodness of God, I saw the mercy of God, God saw me through and today, he is a living testimony.’

The celebrant’s husband, Mr. Amos Ayeni, spoke glowingly of her saying: ‘I love my wife so much and I want her to keep being humble, hardworking, and serving God. Whenever we have any issue among ourselves we always make sure we settle within ourselves without letting anyone interfere.’

The Area Pastor in charge of the church, Pastor Afolabi Adejobi, highlighted the celebrant’s crucial roles within the ministry, painting a picture

Super Eagles defender Felix Agu could miss Nigeria’s upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup Qualifiers next week, as he suffered an injury in Werder Bremen’s 1-0 win over St. Pauli on Saturday, Soccernet.ng reports.

On Friday, Agu was one of the 23 players called up to the Super Eagles squad ahead of the World Cup Qualifiers against Lesotho and Benin next week.

The 26-year-old left-back has been a regular for Werder Bremen this season, and he started for them once more in their Bundesliga fixture against St. Pauli at the Weserstadion.

Agu had a really good showing in the first half, but he had to be helped off just before halftime, as he sustained an injury and could not continue.

Although the extent of the injury has not been confirmed, it is highly unlikely that Agu will be available for the Super Eagles by next week.

The former Osnabruck man has a bad injury history, so for him to have to leave a game, it must have been a serious problem.

Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the members of the Urhobo Third Phase Ex-Agitators, under the leadership of Onoriode Diyo, have thrown their support behind the door-to-door campaign championed by High Chief, Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, for the re-election of President Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, and Delta State governor, Sheriff Oborevwori.

The ex-agitators disclosed this to the newsmen at the weekend in Warri, promising to mobilise grassroots support across the Niger Delta for Mr President and the Delta State governor.

They expressed confidence in the leadership of Tompolo and his vision for regional and national development.

He called on all Urhobo leaders, both at home and in the diaspora, to actively participate in Tompolo’s door-to-door campaign and expressed a vote of confidence in President Tinubu and Governor Oborevwori.

Speaking, the National Secretary of the Urhobo Third Phase Ex-Agitators, Avwebor Jeff Nyerhovwo applauded Dr Otuaro’s efforts in rebranding the Presidential Amnesty Programme, particularly in the area of education.

Avwebor highlighted the successful completion of the First Batch of leadership training, which focused on leadership, alternative dispute resolution and mediation.

He urged Otuaro to prioritise the inclusion of more Urhobo Third Phase leaders in the next batch of leadership training programmes to further enhance their capacity to contribute to the region’s progress.

Also speaking, Mr Bush Prince Efe, the State Chairman of the Urhobo Third Phase Ex-Agitators, expressed a vote of confidence in Chief Kestin Pondi, the Managing Director of Tantita Security Services Nigeria Limited and lauded Chief Pondi’s exceptional management skills, and his security consciousness in securing the oil facilities in Niger Delta region and high rate of employment/empowerment to Niger Delta region which have brought significant development and empowerment opportunities to the indigenes of the Niger Delta.

‘He encouraged Chief Pondi to continue his impactful work and to consider including Urhobo Third Phase ex-agitator leaders in his future initiatives, stating that ‘the sky is his limit.’

Also, the National Spokesman, General Ikas Marine, extended a vote of confidence in Engr. Mathew Tonlagha, commended his exemplary leadership and philanthropic support for the youth of the Niger Delta and its environs.

He described Engr. Tonlagha’s contributions are a testament to his commitment to the region’s development, inspiring others to follow his example.

Other prominent leaders, Mr Brume Orade and publicity secretary of the Third- Phase Amnesty programme, who spoke during an interview, praised ‘the Warlord, Elaye Slabor Dollars, the National Chairman of the Third-Phase Presidential Amnesty Programme, and the coordinator TANTITA security Service, Bayelsa State Chapter,’ for his visionary and inclusive leadership.

Noting that,’ Mr Slabor Dollars runs an inclusive government, earns the full support of all Urhobo Third Phase ex-agitators, for his efforts in advancing the collective interests of the group with great enthusiasm and unity.’

They reaffirmed his belief in the clear vision of High Chief Government Oweizide Ekpemupolo (Tompolo), and declared their total commitment to his door-to-door campaign in support of President Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Elder Sheriff Oborevwori as the 2027 elections approach.

One of the inspiring gospel music ministers, Tomi Favored has released a powerful new song featuring one of Nigeria’s most respected gospel voices, Minister Dunsin Oyekan.

The collaboration, which was birthed in the place of personal worship, is already being described as a Spirit-led masterpiece.

Speaking on how the collaboration came about, Tomi revealed that the inspiration for the song came during one of her quiet times with God.

She said; ‘In my personal time of worship some time ago, I got the inspiration for the song and started writing it. While singing it to myself, I felt I could hear Minister Dunsin’s sound in the song.

‘After prayer, encouragement from others and building the courage, I reached out to him,’ she shared.

Describing the experience of working alongside Minister Dunsin, she called it nothing short of miraculous. ‘Working with Minister Dunsin on stage, one of Gospel’s leading voices, not only in Nigeria but all over the world, was surreal. Only God could make it happen and I’m forever grateful,’ she said.

The new release is a message anchored in Psalm 19, a scripture that greatly inspired the song’s lyrics.

Tomi explained that the project is not just another musical offering, but a spiritual call to worship: ‘I hope listeners will get lost and found in worship and praise to God. I pray they have a sincere acknowledgement of His triune nature and discover His joy.’

While Tomi has released several impactful songs in the past, she notes that each project carries its own unique dynamic.

This particular song, however, stands out because it merges what she describes as Minister Dunsin’s ‘special apostolic sound and anointing’ with her own passion for worship.

On the wider impact of gospel music in Nigeria, Tomi is confident that the genre is breaking barriers: ‘Gospel music is affecting the Nigerian music industry more boldly and unapologetically. It’s not just another genre; it’s the message of Jesus Christ with increasingly better music.’

One of the highlights of the first, so-called, civilian government after our painful dealings with military rulers was the selling off of many of our joint assets to the friends, cronies and surrogates of the government that was soon to reluctantly vacate the corridors of power. In the process of gathering where they did not sow, they had injured each other severely. And so, by the time they were leaving office, the most powerful members of that government, together with their gangs of hangers-on were no longer on speaking terms. So deep were the antiparthies within and between them that today, two decades after the great falling apart, they are still in the habit of taking pot shots at each from deeply entrenched but hardly concealed positions.

On the eve of their departure from office, they somehow contrived to sell the four government owned crude oil refineries at a price which for its paltryness, does not deserve to be mentioned at this time. The buyer then was none other than Aliko Dangote, now the proud owner of the largest single train crude oil refinery in the world. This sale was,for any number of reasons, prevented from being consummated by the incoming government and the deal fell through. What has happened to those refineries since then is a catalogue of sorry history. In the end, the ownership of the refineries reverted to the NNPC for further mismanagement and twenty years later they are still swallowing huge chunks of dollars for nothing. In the meantime, the country has been suffering from an energy deficit that is wholly incompatible with development.

Ever since 1974 when in the wake of the Yom Kippur war, the Arabs wrapped their fingers tightly around their oil pipelines, crude oil has figured prominently in global discussion about the future of the world. The immediate consequence of the Arab control of their oil was to send the price of crude oil into a steep upward trajectory. Whilst the rest of the world groaned under pressure of increased oil prices, Nigeria and other oil producing countries were floundering under the weight of the petrodollars which poured into their coffers in what appeared to be a never ending stream. Prominent among these countries was Nigeria. So much money was coming into the country that the military head of state at the time declared that money was no longer our problem but how to spend it. And how badly we spent it on all manner of baubles that caught our fancy. We spent that money with so much ferocity that it was gone within no more than five glorious years. And then, we became poor but not before we picked up a slew of intolerably bad habits which since then we have found impossible to shake off. Chief among these habits was corruption and following very closely behind was our disdain for work of any kind, not to talk about work of the hard variety. Money was to be had in government coffers and many people had unfettered access to government money, in and out of government owned facilities. True, the governments of the day made some attempt to provide some facilities for public use, it was soon apparent that government spending was no more than a smoke screen under which a lot of money was simply diverted into private pockets, to be used for the purchase of their very own domestic comfort. The result of the confluence of those effects is that the government has become an avenue for the provision of loot on a grand scale for all those who had access to it. Nowhere was this more glaring than in the oil and gas sector of what passes for the Nigerian economy. A class or entire corps of players in our economy has arisen to feed on the rest of us. These people have become so used to enjoying their criminal privileges that they will stop at nothing to protect their interests.

Throughout the period of endemic fuel shortages, the mechanisms of the oil market were under the control of the NNPC. It is the largest government owned oil company in Africa and with assets north of $150 billion, it is a powerful player in the global oil industry. Since its formation in 1977, the NNPC has assumed the role of a government within the government of Nigeria. It is that powerful and whoever is in charge of it is most certainly a person of distinction within the Nigerian power structure. To put it bluntly, this company gradually but purposefully acquired enough clout to become a law unto itself.

It is a company whose accounts were not, or indeed could not be audited for years. It operated behind a screen of opacity so that the harder you looked, the less you could see or discern. Given this situation, this company can be compared to the mafia. Everyone knew they existed but hiding under a corporate fog, their existence could not be proven. Their final cloak was provided by successive Presidents who also retained the post of Minister of Petroleum Resources. After all, with the sale of crude oil providing all the fuel that powered the economy, keeping direct control of the NNPC was crucial to the health of that economy. However this has not enhanced the performance of this company and the consequence of this has been seen in the endless queues at petrol stations all over the land, a phenomenon that had become endemic over a period of fifty years.

The last straw that broke the proverbial camel’s back was when the authorities of the Central Bank, joined in the operation to sabotage the national economy. To be fair, no collusion between the bank and NNPC has been discovered but between the two bodies, the nation was brought to its knees around Christmas in 2022. As usual, there was an acute shortage of fuel but even if there was fuel, there was no money in circulation to buy the fuel with. And this because the Central Bank had withdrawn all currency notes from circulation even as new notes were being printed to replace them. A humongous sum of money was set aside for this purpose, money that could and should have been set aside for more productive ventures. This was at a time when the NNPC had contracted debts the servicing of which included money from the sale of crude oil which was not due to be pumped out of the ground for many months into the future. The country was flat broke even though political parties were campaigning seriously for support in the imminent general elections for which hopeful politicians were burning off billions of Naira as they wooed a shell shocked electorate. The government that was eventually elected rewarded the bemused electorate with the double whammy of a near five times increase in the price of petrol and the exposure of the fragile Naira to the gale force winds of the unforgiving market place. The good people of Nigeria were caught in a vicious bind from which escape has been impossible since then.

Throughout this period of discomfiture, the only light from the East was the persistent rumour of the imminence of the commencement of a refinery that was being built in Lagos by Aliko Dangote. But there was little room for hope because the building, equipping and commissioning of that refinery appeared to have taken forever to become reality. In the midst of our vast desert, it was becoming apparent that it was at best a mirage and at worst a giant hoax. After all, the project was first mooted in 2013 and due for completion in 2016. Seven years later, petrol was yet to come out of the refinery and our collective hearts sank when the NNPC, broke and broken as it was, announced that it was going to take a 20% stake in the refinery. Finally, in September of 2024, the news broke that petrol was finally coming out of the refinery and we heaved a collective sigh of relief. Little did we know at the time that the struggle for home refined fuel was only just beginning.