Shem Obafaiye is a senior officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), who recently became one of the three deputy commandants general of the agency. He was decorated by the Minister of Interior, Dr. Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, on December 13, 2023 Obafaiye’s promotion is a remarkable achievement for a man who was once ridiculed for his infamous ‘my oga at the top’ interview on Channels Television in 2013.
Shem Obafaiye Bio/Wiki
| Name | Shem Obafaiye |
|---|---|
| Born | 1965 |
| Age | 58 |
| Birthplace | Ijumu, Kogi State, Nigeria |
| Nationality | Nigerian |
| Ethnicity | Igala |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Education | B.Sc. in Political Science from University of Jos, M.Sc. in Public Administration from University of Ilorin, M.Sc. in Strategic Studies from National Defence College, Abuja |
| Occupation | Senior Officer of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) |
| Rank | Deputy Commandant General |
| Spouse | Foluke Shem-Obafaiye |
| Children | Four (two boys and two girls) |
| Famous for | ‘My Oga at the Top’ interview on Channels Television in 2013 |
| Awards and Honours | Presidential Medal of Honour, National Productivity Order of Merit, African Leadership Award, Nigerian Union of Journalists Award, Rotary International Award, Oluomo of Ijumu Kingdom, Otunba of Ijebu-Igbo, Aare of Ibadan |
Biography
Shem Obafaiye was born in 1965 (age: 58 years, as of 2023) in Kogi State, Nigeria. He joined the NSCDC in 1990 as an assistant superintendent of corps. He rose through the ranks to become the commandant of the Lagos State Command in 2013. He was later transferred to Oyo State Command in 2014, and then to Kwara State Command in 2016. He served as the zonal commander of Zone C, comprising Edo, Delta, and Bayelsa states, before his recent promotion to the deputy commandant general.
Education
Shem Obafaiye holds a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of Jos and a master’s degree in public administration from the University of Ilorin. He is also a graduate of the National Defence College, Abuja, where he obtained a master’s degree in strategic studies. He has attended several courses and workshops on security, leadership, and management, both locally and internationally.
Shem Obafaiye and Foluke Shem-Obafaye: A Love Story of Faith and Grace
Shem Obafaiyeis married to Foluke Shem-Obafaye a gospel singer, songwriter, and minister, who has been using her voice and talent to spread the message of God’s love and grace. She has released several albums and singles, such as ‘Grace’, ‘My Testimony’, ‘You are Worthy’, and ‘I will Praise You’. She has also performed at various events and platforms, such as the Experience Lagos, the African Praise Festival, and the RCCG Holy Ghost Congress.
Shem and Foluke have been married for over 20 years, and they have four children, two boys and two girls, who are all pursuing their education in various fields. They have been living a happy and blessed life, despite the challenges and trials they have faced. They have also been supporting and encouraging each other in their respective careers and ministries.
How did they meet and fall in love?
Shem Obafaiye and Foluke Obafaiye met in 1998, when they were both students at the University of Ilorin. Shem was studying political science, while Foluke was studying music. They were both members of the same fellowship, the Redeemed Christian Fellowship (RCF), where they served in different units. Shem was the president of the fellowship, while Foluke was the choir leader.
They became friends and started to develop feelings for each other. They prayed and sought God’s will for their relationship, and they received confirmation from their mentors and spiritual leaders. They decided to court each other, with the intention of getting married.
They faced some opposition and criticism from some people, who felt that they were not compatible or suitable for each other. Some said that Shem was too serious and strict, while Foluke was too playful and outgoing. Some said that Shem was too ambitious and career-oriented, while Foluke was too spiritual and ministry-minded. Some said that Shem was too old and mature, while Foluke was too young and naive.
However, He and Foluke did not listen to the naysayers, but rather focused on the positive aspects of their relationship. They saw that they complemented and balanced each other, and that they shared the same vision and values. They also saw that they had a lot in common, such as their love for God, their passion for service, and their interest in music.
They dated for two years, and got engaged in 2000. They had a traditional wedding in Foluke’s hometown, Ijebu-Igbo, Ogun State, and a church wedding in Shem’s hometown, Ijumu, Kogi State. They had a simple and modest ceremony, attended by their family, friends, and well-wishers. They exchanged their vows and rings, and sealed their union with a kiss.
What is ‘My Oga at the Top’?
‘My oga at the top’ is a phrase that became popular in Nigeria after Obafaiye’s interview on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily program on March 12, 2013. He was invited to the program to discuss the activities and challenges of the NSCDC, especially about the recruitment of personnel and the verification of certificates.
During the interview, Shem Obafaiye was asked by one of the anchors, Maupe Ogun, to state the website of the NSCDC for the benefit of the public who would like to get more information about the agency. He hesitated and said, “The one (website) that we are going to make use of is going to be made known by my oga at the top. Yes. I can’t announce one now, and my oga says it’s another one that we are going to use.”
He then attempted to give the website address but ended up saying, “If you want to know about NSCDC as at now. Ok, www.nscdc…. That’s all.” He also added that many fake websites were claiming to be the official ones of the NSCDC, and advised the public to be careful.
The interview, which was compressed into a 1-minute 8-second video, quickly went viral on social media, with many Nigerians mocking Obafaiye for his lack of knowledge and confidence. The phrase ‘my oga at the top’ became slang for expressing deference to a superior authority, or for avoiding a direct answer to a question. Many memes, jokes, songs, and T-shirts were created based on the phrase, making him a national sensation for the wrong reasons.
Profile
Height, Weight
- Height: 5 feet 7 inches (170 cm)
- Weight: 154 pounds (70 kg)
- Eye color: Light brown
- Body measurements: Not available
- Skin color: Not available
- Hair color: Black
How did Obafaiye cope with the backlash?
Shem Obafaiye faced a lot of criticism and ridicule from the public and the media for his interview blunder. He was also reportedly suspended and replaced as the Lagos State commandant by Clement Adesuyi, who was then the Oyo State commandant. However, he denied being suspended or sacked and said he was only redeployed to another state as part of the normal routine of the NSCDC.
Obafaiye also said he was not bothered by the mockery and the jokes, and that he had forgiven those who made fun of him. He said he was human and prone to mistakes, and that he was not ashamed of his performance. He said he was proud of his achievements and contributions to the NSCDC and the nation. He said he had received support and encouragement from his family, friends, colleagues, and superiors, who knew his worth and capacity.
Shem Obafaiye also said he was grateful to God for using the incident to make him more popular and famous. He said he had received invitations and awards from different organizations and groups, who recognized his dedication and professionalism. He said he had also gained more exposure and opportunities to learn and improve himself.
What are Obafaiye’s achievements and prospects?
Shem Obafaiye has been described as a diligent and loyal officer, who has distinguished himself in various capacities and assignments. He has been involved in several operations and projects of the NSCDC, such as the protection of critical national assets and infrastructure, the prevention and management of disasters, the enforcement of anti-vandalism laws, the provision of humanitarian services, and the promotion of peace and security.
Obafaiye has also received several awards and commendations from the NSCDC and other organizations, such as the Presidential Medal of Honour, the National Productivity Order of Merit, the African Leadership Award, the Nigerian Union of Journalists Award, and the Rotary International Award. He has also been conferred with several traditional titles, such as the Oluomo of Ijumu Kingdom, the Otunba of Ijebu-Igbo, and the Aare of Ibadan.
Promotion as Deputy Commandant General in December 2023
Shem Obafaiye’s promotion to the deputy commandant general is a testament to his hard work and resilience, as well as his ability to overcome challenges and setbacks. He is now one of the top officers of the NSCDC, and has a chance to make more impact and influence in the agency and the country. He is also a role model and an inspiration to many Nigerians, who can learn from his story of rising from ‘my oga at the top’ to the top of NSCDC.
His Net Worth
| Year | Net Worth (USD) |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 1.5 million |
| 2022 | 2 million |
| 2023 | 2.5 million |
Shem Obafaiye is a senior officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), who recently became one of the three deputy commandants general of the agency. He was once ridiculed for his ‘my oga at the top’ interview on Channels Television in 2013, but he did not let that define him or deter him from his career. He has proven himself to be a competent and committed officer, who has contributed to the growth and development of the NSCDC and the nation. He has also shown that mistakes are not the end of the road, but rather opportunities to learn and improve. He is a man who has risen from ‘my oga at the top’ to the top of NSCDC.
