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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
Nigeria’s Pride Awards winner Abubakar Yakubu beats Regina Daniels’ mother to emerge AGN President
By Bonaventure Phillips Melah
Veteran actor and administrator, Alhaji Abubakar Sanusi Yakubu, has been elected as National President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, AGN. He defeated his rival, Rita Daniel to emerge as winner.
On September 30th 2025, Yakubu was honoured with Nigeria’s Pride Award for Examplery Leadership in recognition of his outstanding contributions to the growth of Nigeria”s entertainment sector and overall performance as a mentor to young people.
In the election that was held in Benin, Edo State, Yakubu, secured majority of the lawful votes cast, and was declared winner ahead of his major opponent, Mrs. Rita Daniels, who is the mother of Nollywood actress, Regina Daniels.
Results of the election were announced Saturday night.
With the victory, Yakubu, fondly called AbuKing, became the first actor from the northern past of country, to head the AGN since its inception.
He will be taking over from Mr. Emeka Ejezie (Emeka Rollas), MON, whose relection for a second term in 2022 meant he could no longer, in line with the AGN Constitution, vie for the position again.
AGN, which is the umbrella body for screen actors in the Nigerian film industry, popularly known as Nollywood, was initially called the Nigeria Actors Guild, NAG.
Though the industry started taking form prior to 1994, however, it was not until 1998 that it was officially registered.
Past Presidents of the Guild are: Larry Williams (1st National President), Emma Oguguah; Zack Orji; Ejike Asiegbu; Segun Arinze; Ibinabo Fiberesima (Only Female President); and Emeka Rollas- all of whom are from the Southern part of the country.
The Guild has over one million registered members that are spread across Nigeria’s 36 states, including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
Prior to his emergence as the first northerner to be elected for the Guild’s top job, Yakubu served as the National Vice President between 1994 and 1995, when the association was known as NAG.
He also served as National Treasurer of AGN (2000 – 2001), Public Relations Officer, AGN (2009-2011), and the National Secretary, a position he held from 2019 till date.
A graduate of Dramatic Arts from Ahmadu Bello University (ABU) Zaria, with about 25 years in film/television and stage acting, all eyes are now on AbuKing to see how he would navigate the wheel of leadership in the AGN for the next three year.
The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lieutenant General Waidi Shaibu, on Saturday, charged the newly commissioned officers to place national interest above all else and uphold absolute loyalty to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria..
He gave the charge while presiding over the Passing Out Parade (POP) of Executive Commission Course 2/2025 at the Nigerian Army School of Infantry (NASI), Jaji,
General Shaibu said the commissioning of this new set of officers form a critical component of the President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s renewed drive to reinforce Nigeria’s security architecture as contained in the declaration of a State of Emergency on Security.
He also said that the commissioning is part of the fulfilment of the President’s directive to expand manpower, strengthen frontline deployments and accelerate security stabilisation efforts nationwide.
The Army Chief expressed confidence in the quality of training received by the officers, noting that their exceptional display of parade and weapon handling reflects the Army’s rising standards at a time when the nation demands heightened operational vigilance.
He urged them to remain uncompromisingly apolitical, disciplined and subordinate to civil authority, stressing that professionalism and constitutional loyalty remain the bedrock of military service.
A Nigerian Air Force jet has ccrashed near Karabonde, Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State.
This was disclosed by a Niger State-based online digital television network, Lapai TV, in a post on its official Facebook page on Saturday evening.
“Two Nigerian Air Force Pilots Reportedly Survive Alpha Jet Crash Close to Karabonde, Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State,” the post stated
The incident was said to have occurred Saturday evening.
At the time of filing this report, the military has yet to make any official communication about the incident.
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