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Lagos, Ogun and Oyo Mark Isese Day to Celebrate Yoruba Culture
Today, August 20, 2025, marks the annual celebration of Isese Day, a special occasion dedicated to honoring Yoruba cultural heritage and traditional religious practices. In recognition of the day, Lagos, Ogun, and Oyo states have declared public holidays, allowing citizens to fully participate in festivities and reflect on the importance of indigenous traditions.
In Lagos State, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu announced a work-free day for public servants, emphasizing the need to promote cultural unity and preserve Yoruba heritage. He encouraged residents to engage in activities that celebrate traditional beliefs and values.
Ogun State also joined in the celebration, with Governor Dapo Abiodun declaring today a public holiday. The state highlighted Isese Day as a platform for community members to connect with their roots, honor ancestors, and appreciate the rich Yoruba cultural landscape.
Oyo State observed the day as well, with Governor Seyi Makinde approving a work-free day for citizens. Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Olanike Adeyemo, urged residents to use the occasion to pray for peace, unity, and stability while reflecting on the state’s cultural heritage.
Isese Day is marked by traditional worship, cultural performances, and community gatherings, all aimed at keeping Yoruba traditions alive. The celebration provides an opportunity for both practitioners and the broader public to recognize the significance of indigenous customs and their contribution to Nigeria’s diverse cultural identity.
The Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has reportedly declared a strike at Taraba State University over outstanding salary-related demands and delays in payments.
The strike is scheduled to begin today, October 12, 2026. According to the union’s chairman, the union had been engaging the Taraba State Government over its outstanding demands since February 2026.
“The union had exercised considerable patience and demonstrated its commitment to dialogue since February 2026, when it began engaging the Taraba State Government over the outstanding issues,” Mbave said.
“The union had earlier suspended its planned industrial action following an appeal by the government for additional time through the Office of the Head of Civil Service, in the interest of maintaining industrial harmony,” the chairman added.
The Chairman of Gboko Local Government Area of Benue State, Torseer Yina, has imposed a dusk-to-dawn curfew in the ancient town.
The curfew takes effect from Thursday, October 8, 2026, following unrest and violent protests in the area.
According to reports, the action was taken to contain the unrest and violent protests by members of BEMOA following the death of one of its members by unknown gunmen.
The protest, which was reportedly hijacked by hoodlums, turned violent after an angry mob burnt two vehicles belonging to the Benue State Civil Protection Guards.
The Gboko council chairman said the curfew takes effect immediately and warned that anyone caught flouting the order or breaching public peace would be decisively dealt with.
Nine people have died in a fatal road crash along the Ijebu-Ode-Benin Expressway in Ogun State.
The crash occurred on Monday at about 4:55pm around the Bethel area along the Ijebu-Ode/Ore axis of the expressway. It involved a white Toyota Hiace commercial bus belonging to Delta Line and a white Sino truck operated by Bill Gas Solution Ltd.
According to the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), all nine people involved in the crash, comprising three males and six females, died in the incident.
The FRSC said the crash occurred while it was raining and the road was wet, with preliminary investigations identifying speed violation as the probable cause.
The FRSC rescue team arrived at the scene shortly after receiving the report, while the bodies of the victims were taken to the General Hospital Morgue in Ijebu-Ode.
The Ogun State Sector Commander, Oludare Ogunjobi, urged motorists, especially commercial drivers, to obey speed limits and exercise extra caution when driving in the rain.
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