The following are the views expressed by Olufemi Oguntokun in the May 18, 2026’s episode of the On the Lord’s Side Podcast – Christian perspectives on news and current events.
For the third consecutive episode, we return to the distressing situation in Ogbomosho, Oyo State, Southwest Nigeria. And we do so because this matter cannot simply be treated as another passing headline in the Nigerian news cycle.
Everybody is concerned — and rightly so. But concern alone is no longer enough. Nigerians are increasingly asking not for more statements, but for decisive action.
ON THE NIGERIAN UNION OF TEACHERS AND THE CALL FOR PRAYER
The Nigerian Union of Teachers, Oyo State chapter, has now called for a three-day fasting and prayer session for the safe return of the abducted teachers and students.
Some people on social media scoffed immediately. Others mocked the decision entirely. But I think many of those reactions miss the point.
What exactly do people expect teachers to do?
Do they expect teachers to take up arms and march into forests after terrorists armed with sophisticated weapons? Is it now the duty of schoolteachers to confront bloodthirsty criminals who abduct, rape, behead, and terrorize communities?
That is not their calling.
Teaching is a noble profession, and now teachers themselves have become direct targets of terrorism in Nigeria.
This did not begin yesterday. One remembers the Chibok girls. Schools have increasingly become soft targets for terrorists.
The NUT statement appealed to teachers and well-wishers across the state to commit to fasting and prayer rooted in their respective religious convictions for the unconditional release of those held captive.
Now, yes, I understand the frustration of many Nigerians who argue that the unions should do more than pray. And honestly, there is merit in that argument.
Unions have influence. Unions can pressure government. They can organize protests, industrial actions, and public demonstrations to ensure that insecurity remains front and center in national discourse.
At this point, every institution capable of pressuring government into action should do so.
But let us never become the kind of people who scoff at prayer itself.
It is never not the time to pray.
The first thing a Christian ought to do is pray.
The second thing a Christian ought to do is pray.
And as we navigate our way through crises and uncertainty, we continue praying because men ought always to pray and not faint.
No serious Christian should ever dismiss prayer as useless.
ON 2 CHRONICLES 7:14 AND NATIONAL REPENTANCE
Whenever nations face calamity and believers begin calling for prayer and fasting, many Christians quickly quote 2 Chronicles 7:14.
But we must quote the entire verse.
“If my people, who are called by my name, shall humble themselves and pray and seek my face…” — many stop there.
But the verse does not stop there.
“…and turn from their wicked ways…”
That is the missing piece in Nigeria.
Prayer alone is not the complete formula.
Repentance is equally required.
Nigeria must turn from its wicked ways.
We must stop electing wicked and corrupt leaders.
We must stop normalizing evil.
We must stop celebrating people who openly loot the nation and destroy institutions.
We must stop enabling corruption at every level.
Because terrorism does not thrive in a vacuum.
Terrorism thrives because people at various levels are compromised.
Some security personnel are compromised.
Some politicians are compromised.
Some bankers are compromised.
Some customs officials are compromised.
Some influential people knowingly or unknowingly facilitate evil through greed, bribery, and silence.
And then we gather again to pray while refusing to repent.
That is the contradiction.
The condition God gave to Solomon still applies to nations today: pray, yes; seek my face, yes; but also turn from your wicked ways.
That is where revival begins.
ON THE TRAGIC DEATH OF THREE SISTERS IN THE UNITED KINGDOM
Another deeply disturbing story concerns the tragic deaths of three sisters found in the sea off Brighton Beach in the United Kingdom.
The women — Jane Adetoro, 36, Christina Walter, 32, and Rebecca Walter, 31 — were reportedly found fully clothed after emergency services responded to reports of persons in the water. Police say there is currently no evidence of criminality, though investigations continue.
The story has shocked many Nigerians because the women appear to be of Nigerian origin.
And honestly, the story raises more questions than answers.
These were not children.
These were grown women in their thirties.
How exactly did three adult women end up dead in the water simultaneously?
People naturally want explanations.
The father’s statement was heartbreaking. He described his daughters as the joy and light of the family and spoke of unbearable grief.
And what should Christians do in moments like this?
We should weep with those who weep.
We should pray for comfort for the grieving family.
And we should pray that whatever hidden truth exists behind this tragedy will come to light.
Because Scripture reminds us that God reveals deep and secret things.
Daniel said of God: “He knows what is in the darkness, and light dwells with Him.”
If there is more to this tragedy than presently known, God knows it already.
And if there was foul play involved, only God can ultimately expose every hidden thing.
ON DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND HOMES FALLING APART
A Nigerian man shared a deeply troubling story online claiming that, even at his age, his father still physically assaults his mother — using bottles, sticks, and other objects.
According to him, he intervened recently when his father attempted to smash a whiskey bottle on his mother’s head. Yet afterward, the father allegedly went around telling villagers that the son had beaten him, while even the mother sided with the father.
Now, one does not know whether every social media story is entirely true. Many things online are exaggerated for engagement. But sadly, situations like this are not impossible.
There are homes where relationships have deteriorated terribly.
There are families where bitterness, violence, alcoholism, and dysfunction have become normalized.
And these things should not be named among us.
What such homes truly need is divine intervention.
Scripture reminds us that all things hold together in Christ. And when homes are falling apart emotionally, spiritually, and relationally, only Christ can truly restore what has broken down.
ON PRAYER, TESTIMONY, AND THE U.S. SOLDIER’S STORY
A testimony recently shared by a U.S. soldier also caught my attention.
She explained that members of her military team mocked her constantly because she prayed before missions. They called her “church girl.” Some openly told her they did not even want to hear her prayers.
But she prayed anyway.
Then at some point, she was temporarily removed from active missions as punishment. According to her, once she stopped accompanying the team, they repeatedly came under bomb attacks.
Eventually, her team leader reportedly came back asking her to return because, in his words, “Whatever you are praying is working.”
And when she returned, they reportedly completed operations without further casualties.
Now, many people may dismiss such testimonies. But Christians understand something important: sometimes God deliberately singles out His people in ways that force even skeptics to acknowledge His presence.
That was the story of Daniel.
People mocked Daniel’s devotion until God shut the mouths of lions.
And afterward, King Darius himself publicly declared the greatness of Daniel’s God.
When God demonstrates His power through His children, it is ultimately for His own glory and for the salvation of others.
Prayer works.
And often, people only begin respecting prayer after they witness its effects.
ON THE EBONYI STATE SCHOOL SCANDAL
A video recently went viral showing schoolchildren in Ebonyi State learning under deplorable conditions — sitting on bare ground inside a ramshackle structure with almost no facilities whatsoever.
Naturally, Nigerians reacted with outrage.
This is a country with resources.
Yes, the economy is struggling. Yes, corruption has damaged institutions. But there is simply no justification for children learning in such degrading conditions.
Now, one would have expected government officials to respond by urgently fixing the schools.
Instead, reports emerged that two headteachers had been suspended allegedly for leaking the videos.
And this reveals a deeper moral problem.
Sometimes people become more offended by the exposure of wrongdoing than by the wrongdoing itself.
Instead of confronting the disgraceful state of the schools, the authorities appear more concerned about who exposed it.
That is exactly the wrong response.
It reminds one of Adam blaming Eve.
It reminds one of Saul blaming the people.
It is the instinct to avoid responsibility and search for scapegoats instead.
But the real issue is not that the videos became public.
The real issue is that schools in Nigeria are in that condition in the first place.
And punishing those who exposed the truth misses the point entirely.
ON NIGERIA’S NEED FOR REVIVAL
Ultimately, all these stories point to one thing: Nigeria desperately needs revival.
Not superficial religiosity.
Not performative prayers disconnected from repentance.
Nigeria needs genuine spiritual awakening.
We need leaders who fear God.
We need citizens willing to reject corruption.
We need institutions governed by truth and accountability.
And above all, we need the mercy of God.
So yes, let us continue praying for the abducted students and teachers.
Let us continue praying for their miraculous release.
But let us also pray for revival.
Because unless the Lord builds the house, the builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord guards the city, the watchmen stay awake in vain.
May God have mercy upon Nigeria.