Connect with us

News

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

Published

on

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.

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

TUMBLR

INSTAGRAM

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

News

Every Nigerian should learn combat skills for self-defence – CDS Gen Musa

Published

on

The Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, has urged all Nigerians to learn combat skills to protect themselves in the face of danger.

General Musa gave this advice on Thursday when he appeared as a guest on Politics Today, a programme on Channels Television.

He likened the acquisition of combat skills to driving, swimming, and other essential survival skills.

When asked whether he would advise Nigerians to learn combat skills for self-defence, General Musa said, “That one should be taken as learning driving, learning how to swim. Whether we have war or not, it is a survival instinct.

“In Europe, swimming is compulsory; [so is] Learning and teaching about security because you have to learn what security is.”

According to him, the National Youth Service Corps, NYSC, should train Nigerian graduates in unarmed combat skills for day-to-day survival against dark-hearted men.

The defence chief further explained that security is the responsibility of all Nigerians, even as he urged citizens to remain situationally aware of their surroundings to identify strange and suspicious individuals.

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

TUMBLR

INSTAGRAM

Continue Reading

News

Uganda reaches agreement with US Govt to take in migrants

Published

on

Uganda has entered an agreement with the United States to take in nationals from third countries who may not get asylum in the U.S. but are reluctant to return to their countries of origin, the foreign affairs ministry said on Thursday, August 21.

President Donald Trump aims to deport millions of immigrants who entered the U.S. illegally, and his administration has sought to increase removals to third countries, including by sending convicted criminals to South Sudan and Eswatini.

“This is a temporary arrangement with conditions including that individuals with criminal records and unaccompanied minors will not be accepted,” Vincent Bagiire Waiswa, the ministry’s permanent secretary, said in a statement.

Waiswa added that Uganda would prefer to receive people from African nationalities under the agreement.

“The two parties are working out the detailed modalities on how the agreement shall be implemented,” he said.

On Wednesday, another Ugandan foreign affairs official had denied a U.S. media report that the East African country had agreed to take in people deported from the United States, saying it lacked the facilities to accommodate them.

Uganda, a U.S. ally in East Africa, also hosts nearly two million refugees and asylum-seekers, who mostly hail from countries in the region such as Democratic Republic of Congo, South Sudan and Sudan.

In July, five immigrants from Vietnam, Jamaica, Laos, Yemen and Cuba, who Washington said had been convicted of serious crimes, were flown to Eswatini, where they are now in a high-security prison. The deportations are being challenged by a group of Swazi and southern African NGOs, with a high court hearing scheduled for Friday.

Also in July, eight men from various countries were deported by the US to South Sudan, via Djibouti, where they were held for weeks in a shipping container. Meanwhile, more than 250 Venezuelans were repatriated to Venezuela after being sent to a notorious El Salvador prison in March without due process.

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

TUMBLR

INSTAGRAM

Continue Reading

News

FRSC rewards officer for rejecting 104 bribes in one month

Published

on

The Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) has honoured Assistant Route Commander Babatunde Owoeye of the Osun State Sector Command for his exemplary integrity in July 2025.

The commendation was held during a ceremony on Wednesday, August 20, 2025 at the Osun State Command headquarters.

Records show that Owoeye rejected bribes from traffic offenders on 104 separate occasions.

He also turned down bribe attempts 18 times in May and 38 times in June, reflecting a consistent commitment to ethical conduct in service.

Speaking during the ceremony, Sector Commander Leye Adegboyega lauded Owoeye, stating that his conduct mirrors the FRSC’s long-standing policy against corruption and extortion among its personnel.

Adegboyega added that the recognition aligns with the anti-corruption agenda of the Corps Marshal, Sheu Mohammed, as well as the commission’s broader efforts to promote professionalism and accountability.

“For his exceptional integrity, Assistant Route Commander Babatunde J. Owoeye has been awarded a commendation and a cash gift of N250,000. He recorded 104 ‘Attempt to Corrupt Marshal on Duty’ (ACS) cases in July alone — a feat that is unprecedented in the command’s history,” Adegboyega said.

The FRSC reiterated its zero-tolerance stance on bribery and assured the public that honesty and discipline within its ranks would continue to be recognised and rewarded.

FOLLOW US ON:

FACEBOOK

TWITTER

PINTEREST

TIKTOK

YOUTUBE

LINKEDIN

TUMBLR

INSTAGRAM

Continue Reading

Trending