Popular Nigerian gospel singer, Salau Aliu Olayiwola, also known as Testimony Jaga, has criticised former Vice President, Yemi Osinbajo, over his recent comments on the concept of “prosperity gospel.”

Osinbajo had stirred debate in religious and public circles after faulting what he described as the prosperity gospel, a development that has since drawn mixed reactions.

Reacting in a video that has gone viral online, the gospel artiste dismissed the idea of categorising the message of Christianity into different forms, insisting that the gospel remains one and indivisible.

“I saw a video where you were condemning the prosperity gospel. With due respect, there is no such thing as a prosperity gospel. There is only one gospel, the Gospel of Jesus Christ,” he said.

Jaga also challenged Osinbajo’s authority to criticise the Church, pointing to his time in public office and asking for evidence of impact.

“If anyone wants to correct the body of Christ, it should not be someone like you. Show Nigerians what you did while you were vice president,” he stated.

The singer’s remarks introduce a political dimension to the debate, as he called on the former vice president to account for his stewardship while in government.

The artiste further highlighted Nigeria’s socio-economic challenges, stressing that poverty remains a pressing issue that must not be ignored in religious teachings.

“Do you understand what poverty does to people? As a politician, what have you done to address it?” he asked.

According to him, messages preached in churches should address real-life struggles and provide hope to adherents.

Jaga emphasised that the central message of Christianity is one of hope, transformation, and encouragement, rather than condemnation.

“The gospel is good news. If people are struggling, they should hear a message of upliftment, not condemnation,” he said.

The singer also questioned Osinbajo’s influence as a pastor during his time in office, urging him to demonstrate tangible results both in ministry and governance.

“Show us the people whose lives you transformed. Show evidence of support for the poor or meaningful development, even in your own community,” he added.

While defending the broader message of the Christian faith, Jaga admitted that abuses exist within religious institutions but warned against using such cases to discredit the gospel.

“There are fake pastors, yes, but the gospel itself remains a message of hope and transformation,” he noted.

He concluded by urging Osinbajo to embody the values he advocates, particularly in supporting the less privileged.

“If you truly believe in what you are saying, then lead by example. Give back, support the poor, and demonstrate the values you preach,” Jaga said.

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The Osogbo War took place during one of the most turbulent periods in Yoruba history. By the early nineteenth century, the Old Oyo Empire had lost its dominance. Internal rebellion, succession disputes, military rivalry, and pressure from northern forces weakened its authority and influence across Yorubaland.

Ilorin became central to this transformation. Once part of Oyo’s northern military system, Ilorin later developed into an Islamic emirate linked to the wider Sokoto Caliphate. Its rise altered the balance of power and placed several Yoruba towns under growing threat.

Osogbo stood in a vulnerable position. Located near important routes into the Yoruba interior, its fall would have opened the way for deeper military movement into the forest regions. The defence of Osogbo therefore became critical to the security of many neighbouring towns.

The Attack on Osogbo

Around 1840, Fulani forces advanced toward Osogbo and laid siege to the town. Osogbo’s defenders could not withstand the pressure alone and sought assistance from Ibadan.

Ibadan, already emerging as a powerful military centre, responded to the call. Its forces marched to support Osogbo and engaged the Fulani army. The battle that followed ended in a decisive defeat for Fulani’s forces, lifting the siege and securing the town.

The victory halted further immediate movement of Fulani forces into the Yoruba interior and became one of the most significant defensive successes in nineteenth century Yoruba warfare.

Ibadan’s Rise After the Victory

The success at Osogbo strengthened Ibadan’s position in Yoruba politics. The town had grown from a military settlement into a major war power, and the outcome of the battle confirmed its strength and influence.

Ibadan’s role in defending Osogbo increased its prestige, but it did not establish complete political control over Yorubaland. Other Yoruba states such as Ijaye, Oyo, Abeokuta, Ijesa, Ekiti, and Ife continued to operate independently, each pursuing its own interests and alliances.

This balance of power shaped the political landscape that followed the war.

What the Victory Achieved

The Osogbo War secured Osogbo from Fulani control and protected nearby regions from further immediate threat. It limited Fulani’s ability to push deeper into the Yoruba interior and marked an important moment in the defence of the forest belt.

The battle also reinforced Ibadan’s standing as a leading military force, placing it at the centre of later Yoruba conflicts and political developments.

Despite these gains, Fulani remained a strong power in the north, and the earlier structure of the Old Oyo frontier was not restored.

Why Ilorin Was Not Recovered

The conditions of Yorubaland at the time made a wider campaign difficult. The fall of Old Oyo had left no central authority capable of directing a unified effort. Each Yoruba state acted largely in its own interest.

A northern campaign would have required coordination, supplies, manpower, and long term planning. The absence of political unity meant that such an effort did not take place.

The outcome of the war reflected both military success and the limits of cooperation among the Yoruba states during this period.

Understanding the Wider Conflict

The Osogbo War formed part of the wider Yoruba wars of the nineteenth century. These conflicts were shaped by the collapse of Oyo’s authority, the rise of new military powers, and competition among emerging states.

Fulani’s forces included a mix of different groups, while Yoruba states were themselves divided by rivalries and shifting alliances. The war should therefore be understood within this broader and complex political environment.

The importance of the battle lies in its immediate impact and its long term influence on the balance of power in Yorubaland.

Author’s Note

The Osogbo War stands as a powerful moment in Yoruba history, showing how unity in the face of danger could protect a people and their land. The defence of Osogbo secured the interior and strengthened Ibadan’s rise, yet it also revealed the limits of cooperation after the fall of Old Oyo.

The victory brought safety to a threatened region, but it did not restore the old order or remove the challenges facing Yorubaland, leaving a lasting lesson about the need for unity beyond the battlefield.

References

Samuel Johnson, The History of the Yorubas, 1921.
J. F. Ade Ajayi and Robert S. Smith, Yoruba Warfare in the Nineteenth Century, 1964.
R. C. C. Law, “The Chronology of the Yoruba Wars of the Early Nineteenth Century, A Reconsideration,” 1970.
Akinwumi Ogundiran, The Yorùbá, A New History, 2020.

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