The following is a transcription of On the Lord’s Side Podcast presented on GospelBellsRadio on April 9, 2026 by Olufemi Oguntokun. It may not fully match with the audio, but represents a near perfect transcription of the broadcast.
On Voodoo, Success, and the Danger of Open Idolatry
Good morning to you once again. It is Thursday, the 9th of April, 2026. The programme is On the Lord’s Side: Christian Perspectives on News and Current Events. My name is Olufemi Oguntokun.
You can follow me on X at Olufemi OG. You can follow Gospel Bells Radio on X at Gospel Bells Radio.
I want to begin this morning by inviting you to engage with this story. I came across it yesterday, and I said to myself, this is one of the stories that those of us on the Lord’s side need to reflect on.
This is a statement credited to one of the popular Fuji musicians in Nigeria, Saheed Osupa. Those who are fans of Fuji music would know him as one of the leading figures in that genre in Nigeria. He is considered successful by the standards of the entertainment industry.
He is reported to have said: “I use voodoo to succeed.”
Now, when we speak of voodoo in West Africa, we are referring broadly to traditional religious practices—the worship of what we might call “small-g gods,” idols, or spiritual forces outside of the worship of the true God. It is often referred to locally as “juju.”
According to the report, the musician openly admitted that he engages in voodoo practices to boost his success. That phrase—“openly admitted”—is significant.
In African society, many who engage in such practices do not admit it publicly. It is often done in secret, while outwardly maintaining a different identity. I remember a lecturer during my first year in university who argued that more people practise traditional religion than openly admit it. At the time, many of us disagreed, but experiences since then have caused me to reflect more deeply on that claim.
I recall living near a woman known for divination practices. You would see well-dressed men and women—people of means—coming in and out of that place. It became clear that many who appear modern and respectable still engage in these practices privately.
So the real point here is not necessarily that Saheed Osupa practises voodoo, but that he has openly admitted it.
He said:
“Somebody once told me to grant an interview denying that I am a fetish person, but I said I am, and why should I deny it? I didn’t kill anyone with my juju or commit evil with it. I’m only looking for progress, nothing more. That’s why anytime I wake, I pay obeisance to Ifa.”
He continued:
“If I don’t engage in voodoo, what else should I have employed? Is it fencing or Panadol that would make me successful? It is not good to be poor and still not live a good life.”
And then he added:
“Everybody practises voodoo—some hide it, but I do mine openly.”
Now, we must immediately say—not everybody. I do not, and I hope you do not as well.
But his statement reflects a widespread perception—that many people engage in such practices, even if secretly.
There is, in a sense, something to be said about his honesty. Not to commend the act itself—far from it—but to note that there is no hypocrisy in his confession. The one who does it openly and the one who does it secretly are both, in biblical terms, in error.
But the danger is profound.
There are those who may look at his success and conclude that such practices lead to prosperity. And indeed, Scripture shows us that the enemy can offer temporary rewards. In Matthew 4, the devil tempted Jesus, offering Him the kingdoms of the world in exchange for worship.
But the gifts of the devil are deceptive, conditional, and ultimately destructive. They are designed to draw people away from God and into eternal separation from Him.
God, on the other hand, gives what the Bible calls “good and perfect gifts” (James 1:17).
The worship of other gods is one of the most detestable acts before the Lord. The first commandment is clear: “You shall have no other gods before Me” (Exodus 20:3). God describes Himself as a jealous God. He will not share His glory with another (Isaiah 42:8).
To attribute success to idols is to take the glory that belongs to God and give it elsewhere.
And that is dangerous.
The Bible says it is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God (Hebrews 10:31).
So our takeaway is this: many may engage in these practices, openly or secretly, but we must not be among them. We must examine ourselves and ensure that our trust, our worship, and our expectations are directed to God alone.
And we must thank God for the light of the gospel—for the grace that has opened our eyes.
On Prison Conditions and the Call to Compassion
I now turn to another story—this one from Nigeria—and it is deeply troubling.
A video circulating online shows the conditions inside a Nigerian prison. What we see is alarming: overcrowded halls where inmates sleep packed tightly together on the floor, with barely any space between them.
The heat must be suffocating. The conditions are inhumane.
A man who visited a friend in such a facility wrote:
“I used to think prison conditions in Nigeria were similar to what we see in American movies. What I saw was terrifying. It made me realise I should never take my freedom for granted.”
That is a powerful statement.
Anytime you visit a prison—or even a hospital—you should come away with gratitude. Gratitude for freedom. Gratitude for health.
But beyond that, there is something more.
Not everyone in prison is a hardened criminal. Some made mistakes. Some are awaiting trial. Some may even be innocent.
And yet, they are subjected to conditions that can degrade the human person.
We must ask ourselves: is this the kind of society we want to be?
Prisons should be places of correction and reform—not places where people become worse than when they entered.
In such overcrowded and desperate conditions, all manner of abuse can occur. That should trouble our hearts.
Yes, the video may serve as a deterrent—“do not commit crime.” But that is not the central point.
The central point is compassion.
We must pray for those in prison—especially the innocent and those unjustly detained. We must pray that God will deliver them, that He will hear their cries, that He will bring justice.
We must also pray for reform—for leaders whose hearts are softened, who will take responsibility and address these conditions.
And we must support those engaged in prison ministry—those bringing hope, the gospel, and advocacy into these dark places.
Let us not see such images and move on casually. Let us respond with prayer.
On Artemis II, Human Achievement, and the Glory of God
Finally, I turn to a story that has captured global attention—the Artemis II mission.
This mission involves astronauts travelling farther from Earth than ever before, orbiting the moon and returning safely. It is a remarkable feat of science, engineering, and human ingenuity.
There was a report showing astronauts communicating in real time with the President of the United States—from space. Think about that.
There was a time when even long-distance phone calls within a country were difficult. Now, people on Earth are speaking in real time with those beyond the Earth.
It is astonishing.
And the images coming back—pictures of the Earth from space—are deeply humbling. The Earth appears as a tiny speck in the vastness of space.
It reminds us of Psalm 2: “He who sits in the heavens shall laugh.”
When we consider the pride of man, the ambitions of nations, the conflicts of the world—and then see how small the Earth is—it puts everything in perspective.
I came across a reflection by someone who described the complexity of the mission—the calculations, the precision required, the movement of celestial bodies, the narrow margins for error. It is truly extraordinary.
And yes, we should appreciate the brilliance, discipline, and dedication of the scientists, engineers, and astronauts involved.
But we must go further.
We must look to the One who created the human mind.
Psalm 139 says: “I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; marvellous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well.”
If human beings can achieve such feats, how great is the God who made them?
If scientists can amaze us, how much more the Creator who gave them their intellect?
So while the world celebrates human achievement—and rightly so—we must not give ultimate glory to man.
We must give glory to God.
Heaven is His throne, and the Earth is His footstool (Isaiah 66:1).
May we never be among those who exchange the glory of God for created things.
And may every advancement, every discovery, every achievement lead us to deeper worship.
Good morning once again, and thank you for joining us on GospelBellsRadio for On the Lord’s Side: Christian Perspectives on News and Current Events.
By the grace of God, I will be with you again tomorrow. Whatever you do today, please remain firmly on the Lord’s side.
God bless you. God bless you real good.
You are listening to GospelBellsRadio.com—the Christian internet radio with a mission to engage the culture with the mind of Christ. Keep listening and invite others.
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