by Kolapo Olapoju

A former Minister of Aviation, Femi Fani Kayode has revealed that at some point in his life, specifically thirty years ago, he had a drug abuse problem, which he says is now history.

On Sunday, 26 October, Fani Kayode was a guest on the Frontline show on Africa Independent Television, where he spoke on several topics, most notably his past drug use and how he was able to get rehabilitated.

The former Minister said drugs intake could be destructive and it was important to talk about it in a way that would discourage youths from partaking, while adding that he rarely consumes alcohol.

He said, “The truth of the matter is that we have all had various experiences as young people. I drink very rarely now, and when I do, I take champagne. If I’ve ever taken any drugs, then it was certainly when I was very young. Most people of my generation, and my friends have done the same thing. The most important thing is not to encourage other people to do such things because they can be very destructive. Another thing is to ensure that you get close to God and ensure that such things do not overwhelm you.”

“The reason why I don’t speak about such things comfortably. You talked about insinuations, but I’ve spoken about this on many occasions because I use it as a reference point for other people that are going through challenges. Things that happened to me in the mid 80s, I would not want other people to go through them. I am a Christian; I became a Pentecostal Christian, and went to the seminary around 1993 after my secular education finished, and I came back to settle in Nigeria,” Fani Kayode added.

The member of the Peoples Democratic Party, would also attribute his rehabilitation to God, saying that he has become a different person since he stopped using.

“I will not sit in front of you and tell you lies; I would never do that. I wouldn’t want to go into the nature of these things and I will not talk deeply about it because these are things that you must never encourage other people to do. When you talk about wild parties; no way am I referring to drug parties or things like that; I’m simply talking about the healthy things young people do. Certainly, that has nothing to do with drugs; it’s just about going out to have a good time and there’s nothing wrong with that.”

“If God could deliver me from things like that thirty years ago, then God can deliver anybody from anything. That is my testimony and it’s a powerful one.
God not only delivered me, but he also made me to prosper, excel and contribute to the growth of my nation. George W. Bush, a former President of the United States had similar problems in his youth and he also spoke about the fact that he has been changed into a different person. From the time when I went to the Bible Seminar for two years; and I also went through pastoral training, I became a completely different person.”

Kolapo Olapoju