In a bid to promote proper haircare habits among young people, Recare—makers of Nature’s Gentle Touch and one of Nigeria’s leading haircare brands—has launched an awareness programme focused on best practices for maintaining healthy hair, particularly natural hair.

At a training workshop held in Lagos, Chijioke Anaele, Chief Executive Officer, CEO, Natures Gentle Touch Institute, shed light on common hair challenges such as lice infestation. According to her, many young people experience lice due to poor hygiene and close contact with someone who had it.

“Lice is communicable. If you stay near someone who has it, it can easily be transferred,” she noted. “It often occurs due to dirt. We recommend heat for treatment, and products with mint. For relaxed hair, chemical application usually kills the lice, but for natural hair, heat works best. Our dandruff products also help because they contain mint.”

Anaele also explained that hair breakage remains a major concern and can be triggered by ageing, prolonged braiding, the use of rubber bands, and misuse of chemical products.

“As someone ages, hair growth slows down. Women often experience breakage due to childbirth or postpartum changes. Leaving chemicals on the hair for too long causes damage, and rubber bands are not ideal for securing hair,” he cautioned.

To maintain healthy natural hair, she recommended deep conditioning at least every two weeks to restore texture and strength.

On dandruff, Anaele emphasised that although it has no permanent cure, it can be effectively managed with consistent care.

“There’s no absolute cure for dandruff yet. What we do is manage it so it’s no longer visible or embarrassing. Consistency is key,” he added.

Blessing Sunday, Digital Marketing Manager at Natures Gentle Touch Institute, explained that the goal of the workshop was to help young people understand the value of natural hair and how to care for it properly. She described natural hair as a symbol of African identity and pride.

“Today, many young people rely on braids and wigs, but we want them to embrace their natural hair—learn to style it and nurture it proudly as Africans,” she said.

Now in its 18th edition—and the fourth and final session for 2025—the workshop has successfully reached its target audience.

“We’ve been able to encourage the younger generation to appreciate their natural hair in the same way older generations did. This boosts confidence and strengthens cultural pride,” Sunday affirmed.

Participants praised the initiative for its relevance and impact.
Amos Abosede, who previously battled an itchy scalp and dandruff, expressed relief:

“The training has been insightful. My itching stopped after I started using Nature’s Gentle Touch products. I’ll recommend them to anyone—they work.”

Another participant, Anuoluwaposi Bamidele, a student and fashion designer, shared a similar experience:

“I’ve seen real improvement in my hair growth and length. Before now, I didn’t know how to care for my hair and struggled with: dandruff. The training changed everything, and the products have been effectve’

>By Sanmi Falobi <

Concerned stakeholders, citizen groups and individuals have lamented the increasingly hazardous condition of the Ibadan-Ife-Ilesa Expressway, which has significantly deteriorated in recent months, with the current state of disrepair now posing serious risks to road users and impeding economic activities across the region.

According to Chief Abiola Falayajo, a concerned citizen and one of the arrowhead of the call for rehabilitation of the road, the critical highway, which serves as a major transport corridor, connecting key towns in Oyo, Osun and Ondo States, has suffered significant deterioration, resulting in deep potholes which pose a serious risk to road users, leading to accidents, burst tyres and exposure to hazards and attack by assailants.

In a statement, as a Save our Soul (SOS) open letter to His Excellency, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Chief Falayajo lamented that the road is in a very critical condition and that there is the need for the urgent rehabilitation.

 “I, a concerned citizen of Nigeria, humbly bring to your esteemed attention the urgent need for the rehabilitation of the Ibadan-Ife-Ilesa Expressway. This critical highway, which serves as a vital economic and social lifeline for millions of Nigerians, is now in a state of severe disrepair, posing grave risks to the lives and livelihoods of those who depend on it daily”, he stated.

“The Ibadan-Ife-Ilesa Expressway is not just a regional road; it is a strategic national asset that facilitates trade, commerce, and movement between major states, including Oyo, Osun, Ondo and Ekiti, as well as other parts of the country. However, its current condition has become a source of pain and concern for commuters, businesses, and transporters.

Large potholes, eroded road sections, and structural failures have turned what should be a smooth transit route into a dangerous journey marked by frequent accidents, vehicle breakdowns, and tragic loss of lives”, he added.

“Your Excellency, I am positive, and appreciate the Renewed Hope Agenda and your administration’s commitment to infrastructure development.  I am positive that under your leadership that Nigeria will witness significant progress in road rehabilitation and national development. It is in this spirit that I earnestly appeal for your intervention to ensure that this expressway receives the urgent attention it so desperately needs”, he further stated.

It would be recalled that Chief Falayajo is not the only one concerned about the deteriorated condition of the Ibadan-Ile Ife-Ilesa road. Over the past year, several other groups, including students of the Obafemi Awolowo University, commuters and travelers alike have been calling for urgent repairs of the road.

In a recent media report by the Nation newspaper, Senator Sharafadeen Alli, representing Oyo South Senatorial District in Senate and Senator Lere Oyewumi, representing Osun West Senatorial District had appealed to the aggrieved people of Oyo and Osun states as well as other road users to exercise patience on the Ibadan-Ife-Ilesa Highway project, assuring that efforts are on to get the project completed as soon as possible.

According to the report, the lawmakers explained that they had also written to the President, seeking special intervention to ensure that funds were made available for the speedy completion of the highway.

“All of us,  as lawmakers in Oyo and Osun states, we are working on it. And we have written the President, seeking for special intervention to provide funds for the completion of the highway. We know how important the road is, and we are working on it”, Senator Sharafadeen Alli was quoted to have said.

Similarly, other stakeholders including the members of the Osun State Council of Obas, have appealed to the Federal Government to fix the Ibadan-Ife-Ilesa Express Road.

In a communiqué issued at the end of their monthly meeting in Osogbo, in June 2024, they described the Ibadan-Ife-Ilesa Express Road as a death trap for motorists. The Council noted that the road is one of the major Federal Government roads in the South West, linking several states together and appealed to President Bola Tinubu to quickly intervene and fix this important road.

Meanwhile, available information have it that the road had been awarded for repairs to KOPEC Construction Company. It was supposed to be supervised by Oyo and Osun States Field Office of the highway development and management initiative (HDMI) phase II programme under sukuk funding. However since it was awarded, the work has been abandoned with less than 5% work done. The highway, which is about 224km from Iwo road in Ibadan to the Brewery Area in Ilesa, was also noted to have been included and captured in the 2024 appropriation budget as ‘Emergency/palliative repairs of Ibadan-Ife-Ilesa dual carriageway in Oyo and Osun states.

Concluding the SOS open letter to President Tinubu, Chief Falayajo stated further: “I kindly appeal to your esteemed office to direct the Federal Ministry of Works and other relevant agencies to prioritise the reconstruction and maintenance of this road. A swift and decisive action in this regard will not only prevent further loss of lives but also enhance economic activities, improve regional connectivity, and restore public confidence in governance.”

“Your Excellency, I trust in your dedication to the well-being of Nigerians and remain hopeful that this appeal will be met with the prompt action it deserves” Chief Falayajo further stated.

>By Sanmi Falobi <

When faith embeds business in an atmosphere of praise, it creates a powerful synergy where spiritual principles and professional endeavours align. That was what played out as Mr. Sunny Beyioku, District Coordinator, South West 3 of the Full Gospel Businessmen’s Fellowship International, led accomplished career and business men in praising God at the International Praise Day 2025 which held on Saturday, February 8, 2025 at Airport hotel, Ikeja, Lagos.

Gratitude to God, fellowshipping for greater impact

The event, which brought together entrepreneurs, business leaders, and professionals from across the city for a transformative day of worship, inspiration, and empowerment was a powerful fusion of faith and business, including series of heartfelt testimonies, intermittent prayer sessions, electrifying praise and deep worship sessions in appreciation to God for His faithfulness over the past year, while also thanking Him in appreciation ahead of wonderful things to manifest in the new year.

The event also provided the opportunity for the consolidation of friendship, networking, fellowship and strategic business connection under an atmosphere of worship and prayer within the fold of members across several chapters.

Joy overflowing as men danced to the lyrics, hymnals and worship sessions

It was a ‘no-holding-back’ session as men, not minding their social status, positions or financial prowess danced and swayed to the rhythm and beat of melodious songs and high praises by renowned Gospel Artists which included Bukola Bekes, Dancia Ngozi and Joy Ogbetere.

Dancing to the melody and serving as anchors of sessions and as persons executing tasks at the event were accomplished and distinguished businessmen, career professionals and leaders across 17 zones and almost 100 chapters under SW3, most of whom were present with their wives. They include: Dr. Wole Olufon, Engr. Charles Aladewolu, Ambassador Tony Ewelike, Engr. Banjo Adeyoju, Mr. Fola Aguda, Barr. Tunji Omole, Pharm. Ifeanyi Atueyi, Sir. IK Onyemekara and Pharm. Jude Elue.

Others were: Mr. Biola Ayeni, Engr. Femi Adesanya, Mr. Akin Oluwole, Mr. IK Obazee, Dr. Dapo Collins, Dr. Taiwo Makinde, Engr. Titus Abiola, Dr. Muna Chira, Dr. Kehinde Makinde and Engr. Olasina Giwa, among others.

The annual international praise day is a way of ushering members into the new year, thanking God for His wondrous works, what He has done and the anticipations of greater things in the new year.
It is to be noted that the members of FGBMFI, who are also called the ‘Happiest People on earth’ is not only for men, as women are well integrated to play strategic roles under the Ladies of the Fellowship (LOF) platforms, hence the event had women; wives of members and other guests in attendance.

Sharing insights and a testimony about his work and membership as a member of FGBMFI for over 30 years, Engr. Charles Aladewolu related the vision of the founder of the Full Gospel Business Men’s Fellowship International (FGBMFI), Demos Shakarian, who upon receiving the vision of the FGBFMI in 1952 had to go through phases of trails and undertook intense prayers, seeking the face of God for intervention in manifesting the vision. According to Engr. Aladewolu, he too had to depend on God upon his election as Vice president of a chapter and then later as president, when he became a member, some 30 years ago.

“The person who brought me to the Full gospel fellowship about 30 years ago is my friend who is still with me today. God used him to bring me to the fellowship and since that time, till now, God has been faithful in taking me from one height of accomplishment to the other” he said.

Looking Ahead

FGBMFI SW3’s Praise Day 2025 has undoubtedly set the tone for a new year of faith-centered business practices. The event demonstrated that when faith is embedded into business environments, it leads to greater prosperity, ethical leadership, and, most importantly, a deeper sense of purpose.

As the event wrapped up, attendees left feeling renewed, inspired, and ready to take on the challenges of their industries, armed with both faith and renewed mindset to accomplish greater success in respective endeavours.

With the 2025 Praise Day event, FGBMFI chapters under SW3 are now buoyed and inspired to commit to greater service in implementing chapter programmes and initiatives and advancing the gospel under the unique mandate of the FGBMFI principles, in both the marketplace and the communities.

Here are snapshots of pictorial and video highlights.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1WlOn4_TXLZGF91txyaKSAyuU3Bkk3A-V/view?usp=drive_link

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1ZiVZKYrBvsM1cuC0Gj5To5NPTrGn0gqz/view?usp=drive_link

https://drive.google.com/file/d/15Ej_3j8fODqu9ktA28l0rN1hcDSCzKhN/view?usp=drive_link

https://drive.google.com/file/d/11yeZyexXGOtBnXFOxjoQPFOskf-OCCXg/view?usp=drive_link

__________________________________
* Picture credit: Olasina Giwa