According to Channels Television, Shem Obafiaye, a Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) officer famed for the viral ‘Oga At The Top’ comment, has spoken out about the interview, claiming that it harmed him mentally.
He further said that following the interview, his principal, who happens to be the commandant general of the NSCDC, told him to go home and relax for a month.
Obafiaye, then the Lagos Commandant of the NSCDC, rose to prominence in 2013 after appearing on Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily breakfast show.
When asked to provide the NSCDC’s website, Obafaiye replied, “The website is… excuse me… wait… it can only be made known by my Oga at the top,” pointing upwards and smiling merrily.
About 10 years later, Obafiaye spoke up about the remark in an interview with Channels Television’s Sunrise Daily on Tuesday.
Obafiaye acknowledged the impact on his family, stating that his child frequently came home, referring to being referred to as ‘Oga at the Top’ by peers.
When asked if the interview that resulted in his deployment affected him psychologically, he said, “Definitely, it has to because I have never gone through such in my life, but with the words of my cousin, ‘I know you have a future; if you are ready for national recognition, be ready for national embarrassment, harassment, and insults’.
“Immediately after the interview-and I was changed-my principal, who is my commandant general, just asked me to rest. I was at home for one month of rest before they moved me to Oyo State Command.”