News
Kwara Muslim group warns against hosting of Isese festival in five LGAs
Majlisu Shabab li Ulamahu Society, in Ilorin, Kwara State has stormed the residence of a traditional religion priestess to impose a ban on any form of isese festival in five local governments in the state.
Isese, the Yoruba word for tradition, is used to denote different kinds of festivals held by adherents of the Yoruba traditional religion in Nigeria and Cuba, Brazil, the United States, Benin, and other countries.
The Muslim group listed four local governments in the state where any form of traditional religion is prohibited. The local governments are Ilorin West, Ilorin East, Ilorin South, Asa and Ilorin metropolis.
The group warned a young woman who attended to them at the priestess’ residence that the Emir of Ilorin, Dr. Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, sent them to convey the warning.
In a viral video published on Facebook published by one Arowolo Abdulfatai (Sheikh Abdul Fathai Arowolo), members of this group located in the Oke Adini area of Ilorin said the visit was prompted by reports of an imminent traditional festival, known as isese, planned by the priestess.
The priestess, who is an Osun devotee, Yeye Adesikemi Olokun Omolara Olatunji, had reportedly released fliers announcing a three-day traditional event aimed at celebrating certain Yoruba deities.
Reacting to the social media post, members of the Muslim group stormed the home of Yeye Adesikemi where her sister simply identified as Alaba, whom many of the Imams present, took turns to either address or confront with statements and questions, to warn against the actualisation of said event.
According to a report by the Punch, although the group stressed that the visit and their intentions were peaceful, the Imams, while making subtle threats, warned Alaba of the potentially dire consequences of holding the festival, while stressing that the state only supports Islamic activities.
Speaking in Yoruba, a member of the group, who described himself as an Imam, said, “Ilorin does not permit idol worshipping, we are ardent Muslims in the land of the emirate.”
Another Imam further reiterated the group’s stance adding that they were sent by the “Emir of Ilorin, to warn against this Isese festival.”
He continued saying traditional religious worshippers could celebrate in private but never publicly in the ’emirate’ as the only deity that could be publicly celebrated is the one Muslims in the state serve.
”We are here on behalf of the Emir of Ilorin to ask that you desist from any Isese. We are also backed by the laws of the land. We are not here to fight you but to warn you against this celebration.”
In a short video published after the visit, Yeye Omolara bemoaned the development.
Speaking in Yoruba she said, ”I have been living in Ilorin for many years and have experienced nothing but peace until recently. I have always been fair and kind to my neighbours and this has been reciprocated over the years.
”One of my people shared the invite online which caught the attention of the Imams. In a matter of hours, I was tagged on numerous posts and also began to receive death threats.
”I also heard that meetings were being held to ensure that the Aje festival does not hold in Ilorin.”
News
“My husband is dying,” El Rufai’s wife raises the alarm
Former Kaduna State governor Nasir El Rufai is currently facing challenges in detention, and constantly bleeding from both his nose and mouth, indicating serious health issues.
In a public statement to mark El Rufai’s “150th Day in incarceration,” one of his wives, Aisa, made the claims and appealed to the international community to intervene over what she described as her husband’s prolonged detention and alleged denial of due process.
She argued that the former governor’s continued incarceration amounted to “punishment before trial” and posed a threat to Nigeria’s democratic institutions.
Aisha also called on foreign governments, multilateral organisations and international human rights groups to closely monitor the legal proceedings involving her husband.
However, many people have taken to the social media to ask Aisa where she was when her husband, as governor of Kaduna State, was persecuting thousands of citizens, especially Christians from Southern Kaduna.
So others have wondered where Aisa was when her husband, then governor of Kaduna State threatened foreign elections observers that they would be taken back to their countries if they try to interfere in Nigeria’s electoral process.
News
NiMet concludes 10-Day climate risk management training for agric professionals
The 10-Day train-the-trainer workshop on Climate Risk Management in Agricultural Extension (CRMAE) organized by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet), has come to a successful end.
The training workshop was organized by NiMet, in collaboration with some partners, including International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA), Stockholm Environment Institute (SEI), Sasakawa Africa Association, and others.
Speaking at the closing ceremony, Prof. Charles Anosike, Director General/CEO of NiMet, described agricultural extension officers as the critical link between climate services and farmers, noting that they translate weather and climate information into practical guidance on planting dates, crop selection, and water management.
He said the training reflects the collective commitment of NiMet and its partners to ensuring that climate information is accessible, understandable, and useful to farmers across Nigeria.
Professor Anosike noted that the Nigeria-adapted Climate Risk Management in Agricultural Extension curriculum will strengthen the capacity of extension personnel to deliver climate-informed advisory services. Citing evidence that effective, localized extension services can increase agricultural productivity by 20–30 percent while reducing vulnerability to climate shocks, he urged participants to cascade the knowledge gained through extension networks, farmer groups, cooperatives, and rural communities.
He stressed that the programme’s success would ultimately be measured by improved farmer livelihoods, stronger climate resilience, and enhanced national food security.
The NiMet boss also reaffirmed the agency’s commitment to institutionalizing and promoting the widespread adoption of the Climate Risk Management in Agricultural Extension curriculum as part of the Agency’s efforts to strengthen climate services for agriculture and contribute to national food security.
In a closing remark on behalf of the AGRA Country Director, Dr. Esther Ibrahim described climate risk management as an essential component of modern agricultural extension. She encouraged participants to apply the knowledge acquired during the training to provide farmers with timely, reliable, and actionable climate information that supports informed decision-making and resilient agricultural production.
Others at the event include Mr. Pierre Sibiry, ILRI Representative; Dr. Jim Hansen, Resource Person; Dr. Godwin Atser, Country Director, Sasakawa Africa Association; and Dr. Victoria Pillah of the National Universities Commission (NUC).
The workshop concluded with the presentation of certificates to participants, who are expected to cascade the training across extension networks and farming communities, helping to bridge the gap between climate science and farm-level decision-making while improving farmers’
News
Ex-President Jonathan expresses sadness over death of Amaechi’s mother
Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, a former Nigerian president, has expressed sadness over the passing of Dame Ezinne Mary Amaechi, mother of former Governor of Rivers State and African Democratic Congress (ADC) vice presidential candidate, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi.
Jonathan expressed his feelings Saturday, in a condolence message signed by media aide, Ikechukwu Exe and sent to Nationwide Reports.
The former president his expressed his sympathies to Amaechi, the entire Amaechi family, and all those mourning the late matriarch.
He described the death of a mother as a profound loss, noting that although death is inevitable, the enduring legacy of a life dedicated to faith, family and service continues to inspire and comfort those left behind.
Dr. Jonathan observed that the late Mrs. Amaechi’s profile reflected a life of exemplary devotion to God, family and community. He noted that her reputation as “a woman of faith, compassion and quiet strength, as well as her commitment to promoting peace, unity and service, earned her the admiration and respect of all who knew her.”
He prayed that God Almighty would grant Rt. Hon. Amaechi and the entire family the strength, comfort and fortitude to bear the irreparable loss, while urging them to “draw solace from the cherished memories of her exemplary life and the enduring values she imparted to her family and community.”
The former President also prayed for the peaceful repose of the soul of the departed matriarch.
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