News

Strange! Male Priest Carries Sacred Calabash At Osun-Osogbo Festival

Published

9 months ago

August 8, 2025

Editor

This year’s annual Osun-Osogbo Cultural Festival witnessed a little adjustment in proceedings as a male carried the symbolic white calabash called ‘Igba Osun’, a duty usually performed by a votary maid.

In March this year, a new Arugba Osun by the name, Alimot Osunbunmi was selected.

The role is played by a female virgin from the royal family in the town that must have been chosen by the Ifa oracle.

Osunbunmi replaced Osuntomi Ewatomilola, who performed the duty for about 12 years.

She exited the role following her marriage last year August, shortly after concluding the year’s duty as Arugba Osun.

Sources close to Ile Osun, located inside the Ataoja’s palace, that craved anonymity however, said the Osun Chief Priest, identified simply as Adesina carried the calabash rather than giving it to Osunbunmi, who was performing the duty for the first time.

When the procession that accompanied Arugba arrived at Osun grove, Adesina was the one who carried the calabash, while Osunbunmi walked in front of them.

The procession was heavily guarded by soldiers, DSS and operatives.

It could not be immediately ascertained why the votary maid did not carry the calabash, as it is usually done.

But a traditionalist, Olawale Osunfemi, while explaining the possible cause, said “It is not unusual. The likely reason may be due to the strength of the new Arugba.

“She is still a kid. Most probably, her strength could not cope with the weight of items for sacrifice to the river goddess that are put in the calabash.”

He continued, “She will grow up and begin to perform that function before long. It is a duty that is spiritually and physically demanding.”

Meanwhile, a governorship aspirant of the All Progressives Congress, in Osun State, Mr. Dotun Babayemi, has called for the preservation of cultural artefacts and relics of the Yoruba race in Nigeria.

Such a move, Babayemi contended, would help to secure the future of the race, especially in the area of the Yoruba language which he lamented, was gradually going into extinction.

In addition, he emphasised that consistent celebration of cultural festivals in Yoruba land would keep the consciousness of their historical backgrounds alive, a development he added, would always assist in fostering unity among the people.

The gubernatorial hopeful who made these known in a release by his media office, congratulated the people of the state, especially the indigenes of Osogbo on the celebration of this year’s annual Osun Osogbo Festival.

“Our culture is our identity and our selling point. , we must all strive to protect and preserve. It’s our common ancestry heritage which separates us from others and this we must keep jealously.

“We need a conscious cultural rebirth that will help to re-engineer and inculcate an enduring belief in our younger generations. More importantly, the celebration of our various cultures links us with the past to foster our unity of today and tomorrow,” he said.
(PUNCH)

News

Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru

Published

1 hour ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

Lazio midfielder, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is a subject of interest from three Premier League clubs, according to Sky Sports.

Lazio reportedly rejected offers from Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth for the Nigeria international in January.

La Biancolesti are bracing for more interest in Dele-Bashiru ahead of the summer transfer window, according to Sky Sports.

The 24-year-old has two years left on his contract with the Serie A club.

The attacking midfielder joined the Rome-based club from Turkish Super Lig outfit Hatayspor in 2024.

He has been a regular feature for Lazio this season.

News

Xenophobic Attacks: Nigerian Students To Picket MTN, MultiChoice, Other Businesses

Published

2 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS South-West Zone D, has announced plans to picket South African companies in Nigeria following the ongoing xenophobic attacks in the country.

DAILY POST reports that some Nigerians were recently killed in South Africa over the violent attacks.

A statement issued to newsmen by Comrade Adeyemo Josiah Kayode, Coordinator, NANS South-West, Zone D, said that the association is mobilizing to take decisive and lawful action by organizing peaceful picketing and mass advocacy against South African business interests operating in Nigeria.

“We categorically state that the continued targeting of Nigerians under any guise is unacceptable and must come to an immediate end.

“This will include major corporations such as MTN Group and MultiChoice Group. It is morally indefensible for businesses to thrive in an environment where the lives of Nigerians are protected, while Nigerians are subjected to fear and violence elsewhere.

“This contradiction will no longer be tolerated,” the statement said.

News

N5m, N10m Zero-interest Loans: SheVentures Opens Applications For Women Entrepreneurs

Published

4 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

First City Monument Bank (FCMB) has opened a new round of applications for its SheVentures proposition, offering zero-interest loans of up to ₦10 million to women entrepreneurs to ease access to working capital and support business growth.

The facility provides loans ranging from ₦500,000 to ₦5 million under a general category, and ₦5 million to ₦10 million for sector-specific businesses, with funding capped at up to 50% of an applicant’s average monthly turnover.

At the centre of the offering is a 0% interest rate, with all charges embedded in a transparent structure.

Repayment is structured over four or six months, allowing businesses to match obligations with their cash flow cycles.

Yemisi Edun, Managing Director and Chief Executive of First City Monument Bank (FCMB), said the initiative reflects a deliberate approach to inclusive growth.

“Inclusive growth requires access to capital and the right conditions for businesses to deploy that capital effectively.

“Women-led enterprises are critical to economic activity, yet they face structural barriers.

This intervention aims to help close that gap by providing financing that supports job creation, business expansion, and long-term sustainability for women entrepreneurs.”

“Access to affordable finance remains a major constraint for women entrepreneurs,” said Nnenna Jacob-Ogogo, Group Head, SheVentures and Impact Segments at First City Monument Bank (FCMB).

“By removing the cost barrier and offering quick, flexible funding, this zero-interest loan is designed to safeguard existing jobs, enable businesses to invest in growth initiatives, and foster resilience in challenging economic conditions.”

Women-owned businesses account for a significant share of Nigeria’s small and medium-sized enterprises but continue to face high borrowing costs and limited access to credit.

Through these efforts, SheVentures tackles persistent financing gaps facing women-led businesses, combining targeted funding with broader support to empower women entrepreneurs, encourage business innovation, and enhance their ability to compete on a national scale.

Applications for the zero-interest loan are now open.Apply now.