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Isese Day: Lagos, Ogun, Oyo, Osun declare Wednesday public holiday as Ekiti, Ondo opt out

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The South-West will witness a mixed atmosphere on Wednesday as some states, including Osun, Ogun, Lagos, and Oyo, have declared Wednesday, August 20, 2025, a public holiday to commemorate the 2025 Isese Day celebration, while Ekiti and Ondo opted out of the observance.

In Osun State, Governor Ademola Adeleke declared the holiday, saying the decision was in recognition of the cultural heritage of the Yoruba people.

A statement signed by the Commissioner for Home Affairs, Abdulrasheed Aderibigbe, said the holiday would allow traditional religion worshippers to fully participate in the annual festival.

Adeleke, while felicitating with adherents, urged them to celebrate peacefully and in line with the law, stressing the need to promote unity and cultural awareness.

He noted that the festival was not only about tradition but also about preserving the values that bind the Yoruba together.

Similarly, the Ogun State Government announced the same date as a public holiday, citing the law passed by the House of Assembly in 2023 and approved by Governor Dapo Abiodun.

According to the governor’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Kayode Akinmade, the recognition of Isese Day underscores the administration’s respect for Yoruba spirituality and identity.

“Isese Day is not just a holiday but a moment of reflection for adherents to honour their ancestors and strengthen the cultural values that define us,” Akinmade stated, noting that it would also deepen inter-communal harmony.

In Lagos, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu reaffirmed his commitment to supporting traditional institutions by declaring the day work-free for public servants.

A circular issued by the Head of Service, Bode Agoro, explained that the governor’s decision was part of efforts to preserve indigenous culture and heritage. It added that normal work activities would resume on Thursday, August 21.

Oyo State also joined in the declaration, with Governor Seyi Makinde approving a work-free day.

A circular signed by the Secretary to the State Government, Olanike Adeyemo, urged residents to use the occasion to pray for peace, unity, and stability in the state and the country.

Despite the wave of recognition across the region, Ekiti and Ondo stood apart, having yet to declare a similar holiday.

Isese Day, celebrated annually across Yorubaland, is devoted to honouring the traditions, deities, and values of the Yoruba people. Over the years, it has gained stronger institutional recognition as states move to balance religious tolerance with cultural preservation.

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Tinubu Asks Senate to Confirm New Service Chiefs

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Senate President Godswill Akpabio read the president’s letter during Tuesday’s plenary session.

President Bola Tinubu has asked the Senate to confirm his newly appointed Service Chiefs.

The request includes the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede; Chief of Army Staff, Major-General Waheedi Shaibu; Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Idi Abbas; Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Kennedy Aneke; and Chief of Defence Intelligence, Major-General Emmanuel Undiendeye.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio read the president’s letter during Tuesday’s plenary session. In the correspondence, Tinubu urged the Senate to give “expeditious consideration” to the appointments.

The request was subsequently referred to the Committee of the Whole for screening and confirmation of the nominees next week.

A few days earlier, President Tinubu had reshuffled the military hierarchy, removing General Christopher Musa and appointing Oluyede, a former Chief of Army Staff, as the new Chief of Defence Staff. Major-General E.A.P. Undiendeye was retained as Chief of Defence Intelligence.

According to presidential aide Sunday Dare, the shake-up was part of the government’s effort to “strengthen the national security architecture.” He added that all appointments “take immediate effect.”

However, the move has drawn criticism from the opposition African Democratic Congress (ADC), which urged the president to explain the motive behind the reshuffle. “Our position remains, therefore, that the Federal Government owes Nigerians a categorical explanation about what truly happened,” said Bolaji Abdullahi, the party’s spokesman.

“As an opposition political party, our interest remains the stability of our country and our democracy. In the light of developments in our neighbourhood of Chad and the Sahel States, we are gravely concerned,” the statement added.

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US Government Permanently Revokes Wole Soyinka’s Visa

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Recall that in December 2016, the renowned author, poet and playwright tore his Green Card after Trump’s electoral triumph for his first term in office.

The US visa of Nobel laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka has been permanently revoked.

Accoording to Leadership, ‎Soyinka disclosed this at a media parley held in Lagos on Tuesday, October 28.

He said that he received the letter of Visa revocation last Thursday, October 23, and that the development seemed like being witch-hunted because of his stance against the policies of US President Donald Trump.

‎Recall that in December 2016, the renowned author, poet and playwright tore his Green Card after Trump’s electoral triumph for his first term in office.

‎Speaking at the media parley held at the Freedom Park, Lagos, with the theme ‘Unending Saga: Idi Amin In Whiteface!’, Soyinka, who now resides in Nigeria, read the letter from the US Consulate In Lagos.

The letter reads;

‎”Dear Mr Soyinka, this letter serves as official notification of the United States Consulate that the non-immigrant visa listed below has been revoked in pursuant to the Department of State Regulations 22 CFR 41.122 and is no longer valid for application into the United States. Additional ‎information became available after the below visa was issued. This revocation refers only to the visa listed below.

‎Name of visa holder: SOYINKA, WOLE

 Date and place of birth: 13-JUL-1934, NIGERIA

‎ Visa classification(symbol): B1/B2

‎ Date and place of visa issuance: 02-APR-2024, Lagos,” the letter read partly

He stated that there was no hard feelings as a result of the development and that he will continue to welcome Americans to his house in Abeokuta, Ogun State, as he has no issues with the people or the nation.

He added that, as a global citizen, he will continue to speak against racism and what he feels wrong with policies of governments, including that of Donald Trump.

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PHOTOS: NAFDAC raises alarm over circulation of counterfeit Cialis Tablet 20mg in Nigeria

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The National Agency for Food, Drug Administration and Control NAFDAC, has alerted the public over the distribution and sale of counterfeit Cialis 20mg tablets in Nigeria.

According to a statement from the agency, the counterfeit version of the drug was discovered during routine market surveillance by the MAH’s field sales representatives in Abuja.

It was reported that the counterfeit Cialis 20mg tablets are being sold openly in the market at an average price of N8,000 per pack, contrary to the genuine product, which is retailed at about N55,000 per pack. Further examination of the counterfeit product showed that it is not consistent with the authentic Cialis 20mg packaging and quality specifications.

‘’Genuine Cialis 20mg Tablet contains tadalafil, which is used to treat erectile dysfunction (ED) in men and pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH)”the agency said

NAFDAC advised Healthcare professionals and consumers to report any suspicion of the sale of substandard and falsified medicines or medical devices to the nearest NAFDAC office, call 0800-162-3322, or send an email to sf.alert@nafdac.gov.ng.

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