News

Why We Suspended Masquerade Festival – Edo Traditional Ruler

Published

7 months ago

February 4, 2025

Editor

The Otaru of Igarra and Akuku clan in Akoko-Edo Local Government Area of Edo State, HRH Oba Emmanuel Adeche Saiki II, has given reason the annual Ekuechi masquerade festival was suspended in the community.

Announcing the suspension shortly after a meeting of the community traditional council and security agencies held at his palace in Igarra on Tuesday, Saiki said the suspension became necessary due to clashes amongst the festival faithfuls, during the festival.

HRH added that the clashes have threatened the security of lives and property and given rise to insecurity in the community.

Announcing that the suspension would become effective from February 15th, Saiki added that the festival had resulted in a serious crisis as groups of masquerade and their followers clashed leaving many injured and properties destroyed in the community.

The Otaru stressed that the festival, which is an annual festival had snowballed into crisis thereby causing insecurity in the community.

He said “I am here to announce to you the suspension of the Ekuechi masquerade festival until further notice.

“I decided to invite the security agencies to intimate them of what happened during the celebration of this year’s Ekuechi festival.

“It would be recalled that annually we do celebrate the Ekuechi festival as part of our tradition and culture in Igarra.

“What happened this year again on the Jan 26th, 28th and 29th of January, there was a crisis and serious fighting between two groups of masquerades and their followers which resulted in a series of injuries and destruction of properties.

“By the authority conferred on me and as the Clan head of Igarra I hereby suspend masquerades from coming out day or night effect from on the 15th of February till further notice,” he said.

The traditional ruler directed security agencies to arrest any group of people celebrating the festival either day or night.

He urged the security agencies to enforce the order by arresting any person flouting the law.

He disclosed that the Opoze age group has been directed to assist the law enforcement agencies in monitoring and arresting any masquerade group flouting the order.

The Oshemdase of Igarra, High Chief Onimisi Oduwa said the suspension of the festival was in order and is supported by the Igarra Traditional Council.

Oduwa said that the idea to suspend the masquerade was to maintain peace in the community.

“Ekuechi festival is our culture that is celebrated every year,

“But due to rising insecurity in the community the Otaru and the traditional council decided to suspend the festival for peace in the community.” Oduwa said

In attendance at the meeting were the Divisional Police Office of Igarra Division, Igarra Area Command of the Nigeria Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corp (NSCDC) and Department of State Security (DSS) and other security agencies.

News

PHOTOS: Brazil Welcomes Tinubu With Full Military Honours In Brasília

Published

8 hours ago

August 25, 2025

Editor

Brazil on Monday rolled out full military honours at the Planalto Palace in Brasília to receive President Bola Tinubu.

Tinubu’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this on X on Monday.

Onanuga said Tinubu was welcomed by his host, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva.

He wrote, “More photos of the official reception for President Tinubu at the Planalto Palace in Brasília, Monday, August 25, 2025. Brazil’s President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva welcomed President Bola Tinubu with full military honours.”

News

Tinubu Signs Direct Flight, Other Agreements With Brazil

Published

8 hours ago

August 25, 2025

Editor

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has signed a landmark Bilateral Air Service Agreement with Brazil, signalling the establishment of direct air links between Nigeria and South America’s largest economy.

The agreement was formalised on Monday during Tinubu’s official state visit to Brasília.

Media aide to the minister, Tunde Moshood, made this known through a statement, made available to The PUNCH.

At the signing ceremony which was witnessed by Messrs Nigerian President, Tinubu and the Brazilian President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva in Brasilia also had the Nigeria’s Minister of Aviation and Aerospace Development, Festus Keyamo, signed the agreement on behalf of Nigeria, while Brazil’s Minister of Transport, Silvio Costa Filho, also signed for the host country.

The BASA creates a new framework for direct flights between Nigeria and Brazil, with the potential to significantly enhance trade, tourism, investment, and diplomatic relations.

The statement further noted that, “ It also marks a key step in Nigeria’s broader efforts to strengthen international partnerships and improve global connectivity.”

Tinubu had arrived in Brazil with a delegation that included Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Wale Edun; Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, Bianca Ojukwu; Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Abubakar Kyari; and other senior government officials.

According to the statement, the Brazilian President welcomed the agreement, expressing his administration’s commitment to expanding cooperation with Nigeria in sectors such as aviation, agriculture, and infrastructure.

He described the BASA as a reflection of the strong ties between both countries and an opportunity to deepen economic and cultural collaboration.

Tinubu is also scheduled to hold meetings with key Brazilian government officials, including the President of the Senate, the President of the Chamber of Deputies, and the President of the Supreme Federal Court.

The two-day visit will include high-level discussions between Nigerian and Brazilian delegations across various sectors, as both nations explore opportunities for mutual growth and development.

The statement reads, “The ongoing state visit will also see President Tinubu meeting the President of the Brazilian Senate at the National Congress, the President of the Chamber of Deputies, and the President of the Supreme Federal Court.

“The working visit, which continues tomorrow, will also feature high-level engagements between Nigerian and Brazilian delegations across various sectors, underscoring both nations’ commitment to building a future of mutual growth and prosperity.”

News

NAFDAC Warns Of Fake Postinor-2 In Circulation

Published

8 hours ago

August 25, 2025

Editor

The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control on Monday issued a public alert, warning the public about confirmed counterfeit batches of Postinor-2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75 mg) now circulating in Nigeria.

The alert follows a report from the Society for Family Health, the marketing authorisation holder, confirming that they did not import the suspect batches.

Postinor-2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75mg) is a brand of emergency contraceptive pill containing the active ingredient levonorgestrel.

NAFDAC revealed there are noticeable labelling discrepancies between the authentic and fake products.

It said, “The National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) hereby notifies the public of falsified Type 1 and 2 batches of POSTINOR 2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75mg) product in circulation.

“The noticeable difference was found to be as follows: The font size of the text on the pin verification sticker appears smaller and has a wrong spelling of the word Veify instead of Verify on the fake; meanwhile, the text font on the sticker of the original appears bigger and more visible. There is also a wrong spelling behind the pack of the fake “Distnibuted in Nigeria” instead of distributed in Nigeria”, NAFDAC said.

NAFDAC identified the original Postinor-2 as batch T32458H, manufactured in February 2023 with an expiry date of February 2027 and registration number 04-6985.

The agency, however, confirmed two falsified versions: Counterfeit Product (Type 1), batch T36184B, manufactured in August 2024 with an expiry date of August 2028; and Counterfeit Product (Type 2), batch 332, manufactured in March 2023 with an expiry date of February 2027, both carrying the registration number 04-6985.

It said that due to the potential presence of incorrect, substandard, or harmful ingredients, improper dosages of levonorgestrel, and a lack of sterile manufacturing conditions, poses significant risks to individual health and public safety.

“The risks of administering falsified Postinor 2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75mg) include failure of contraceptive effect, toxic or harmful contaminants, unpredictable side effects, delayed or missed opportunity for genuine emergency contraception, and potential long-term reproductive health impact. Unexpected side effects: Unknown substances can trigger allergic reactions, organ damage, or death.

“Counterfeit medicines are unregulated, untested, and illegal, making their safety and efficacy impossible to guarantee. Patients should only obtain Postinor-2 from verified pharmacies or licensed healthcare providers.

“Although Investigations are still ongoing regarding the source of the falsified product, all NAFDAC zonal directors and state coordinators have been directed to carry out surveillance and mop up the falsified product of type 1 and 2 postinor 2 (Levonorgestrel 0.75mg) within the zones and states,” it added.

NAFDAC urged consumers and healthcare providers to verify PIN stickers carefully, report suspected counterfeit products, and always purchase medications from reputable sources.