The Federal Government has declared Thursday, 12th June, 2025 as Public Holiday in commemoration of this year’s Democracy Day celebration.

Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Interior, Dr Magdalene Ajani in a statement on Sunday in Abuja said the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, made the declaration on behalf of the Federal Government.

The minister congratulated Nigerians on the occasion of 26 years of uninterrupted civil rule.

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He said; “June 12 represents our historic journey to building a nation where truth and justice reign and peace is sustained and our future assured.

“The last 26 years tells the story of our resilience, strength and courage and a hope Renewed than ever.”

Noting that democracy is sustained with open doors for further improvement, the minister reiterated the commitment of the Renewed Hope government of President Bola Tinubu to the universal value of democracy, based on freely-expressed will of the people in determining Nigeria’s political, economic, social and cultural systems.

The Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NiMet) has predicted thunderstorms and rains from Sunday to Tuesday across the country.

NiMet’s weather outlook released on Saturday in Abuja envisaged morning thunderstorms on Sunday with moderate rains over parts of Taraba and Adamawa in the northern region.

”In the afternoon/evening hours, there are prospects of thunderstorms with rains over parts of Taraba, Adamawa, Katsina, Kano, Zamfara, Kaduna, Jigawa, Borno, Gombe and Bauchi.

“In the North-Central region, cloudy morning is expected over the region.

”Later in the day, thunderstorms with rains are anticipated over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Niger, Nasarawa, Kwara, Kogi, Benue and Plateau States.

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“In the southern region, cloudy atmosphere is expected during the morning hours,” it said.

According to it, rain showers are anticipated over parts of Oyo, Ogun, Ondo, Ebonyi, Ekiti, Edo, Abia, Imo, Enugu, Anambra, Lagos, Akwa Ibom, Cross River, Rivers, Delta and Bayelsa States later in the day.

The agency anticipated morning thunderstorms on Monday with rains over parts of Sokoto, Zamfara and Bauchi States in the northern region.

It predicted thunderstorms with rains over parts of Sokoto, Zamfara, Taraba, Adamawa, Katsina, Kano, Jigawa, Borno, Bauchi and Kaduna States later in the day.

“In the North-Central region, morning thunderstorms with rains are anticipated over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Niger, Kogi and Nasarawa States.

”In the afternoon/evening hours, thunderstorms are expected over parts of Plateau, Kwara, Nasarawa, Niger, Kogi, and Benue States.

“In the southern region, there are prospects of morning rains over parts of Cross River, Rivers, Bayelsa and Akwa Ibom States,” it said.

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It anticipated rain showers over most parts of the region later in the day.

“For Tuesday, in the northern region, isolated thunderstorms with moderate rains are expected over parts of Zamfara and Kaduna States in the morning period.

“In the afternoon/evening hours, thunderstorms with rains are anticipated over parts of Taraba, Kaduna, Adamawa, Zamfara, Kano, Bauchi, Gombe and Borno States.

” In the North-Central region, thunderstorms with rains are anticipated over parts of Niger, Plateau and Benue States during the morning period.

“Later in the day, thunderstorms with rains are anticipated over parts of the Federal Capital Territory, Nasarawa, Kogi, Benue, Niger, Kwara and Plateau States,” it said.

NiMet predicted morning rains over parts of Lagos and Bayelsa States in the Southern Region.

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The agency envisaged rains
over the entire states in the day.

NiMet urged the public to take adequate precaution as strong winds might precede the rains in areas where thunderstorms are likely to occur.

According to NiMet, people should ensure that loose objects are fastened to avoid collision and avoid driving under heavy rain.

“Disconnect electrical appliances from electrical sockets.

”Stay away from tall trees to avoid impact from falling branches and broken trees.

“Airline operators are advised to get airport-specific weather reports (flight documentation) from NiMet for effective planning in their operations.

“Residents are advised to stay informed through weather updates from NiMet,” it added

The Nigerian entertainment world was plunged into mourning on Saturday following the passing of revered highlife musician and folklorist Mike Ejeagha, whose timeless music touched generations across Nigeria and beyond.

The 95-year-old cultural icon passed away on Friday night after a prolonged 16-year battle with prostate cancer. His eldest son, Emma Ejeagha, confirmed the sad news during a telephone conversation with our reporter on Saturday. The highlife maestro breathed his last at the 32 Garrison Hospital in Enugu.

“Papa died at exactly 8 p.m. on Friday, and his body has been deposited in the morgue. I was with him during his final moments. I will meet with my family in the morning to break the news to them,” Emma said.

Emma described his late father as “a peace-loving man and a genius,” noting that Ejeagha had given instructions that his body should not be embalmed or kept in the morgue for too long after his passing.

READ ALSO: Tributes Pour In For Late Highlife Icon, Mike Ejeagha

Tributes have since poured in from across Nigeria’s entertainment landscape. Leading the voices of grief was comedian Chukwuebuka Emmanuel Amuzie, popularly known as Brain Jotter, who recently reignited global interest in Ejeagha’s music with his viral 2024 dance skit based on the 1983 classic Ka Esi Le Onye Isi Oche.

“Mike Ejeagha is a legend whose impact in the music world will remain unmatched and deeply missed,” Brain Jotter said in an emotional post shared on his verified Instagram account on Saturday afternoon. “Thirty-nine years ago, he made magic; thirty-nine years later, Nigerians and the rest of the world are dancing to it. Rest in peace, legend.”

Socialite and nightlife promoter Cubana Chief Priest also joined the chorus of mourning. “Baba Ejeagha was not just a musician — he was the voice of our culture and wisdom,” Chief Priest posted on his Instagram Stories. “His songs will continue to teach and inspire us for generations to come. Rest on, great man.”

Actor and media personality Nedu Wazobia echoed the sentiments: “Sometimes you think legends live forever — and in truth, through their work, they do. Mike Ejeagha’s music was part of my childhood, and it will be part of my children’s childhood too.”

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Singer Flavour N’abania, known for modern highlife hits, also paid tribute: “We stand on the shoulders of giants like Mike Ejeagha. His mastery of storytelling through music was unmatched. Igbo culture and African music have lost a true icon.”

Mike Ejeagha was a towering figure in Nigerian music, celebrated for his unique blend of traditional Igbo folk music and melodic storytelling. His works preserved cultural wisdom through parables and proverbs, often delivered with soul-stirring instrumentation.

In recent years, Ejeagha’s music experienced a cultural renaissance, especially after Brain Jotter’s dance skit went viral, sparking a global dance challenge that drew millions of views across TikTok and Instagram.

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The renewed attention underscored the timeless quality of his artistry. “This resurgence proved that the wisdom in his songs is as relevant today as it was four decades ago,” said cultural critic Obinna Ezeani.

As news of Ejeagha’s passing spread, fans flooded social media platforms with videos of themselves dancing to his classics in tribute. “Gone but never forgotten. Thank you for the music, thank you for the lessons,” one fan wrote on X.