Some council chairmen in Lagos have urged residents to preserve Yoruba cultural heritage while celebrating the 2026 Isẹ̀ṣe Day.

They made the call in separate statements made available to newsmen on Thursday in Lagos.

The chairmen felicitated traditional rulers, traditionalists, chieftains and residents, describing Isẹ̀ṣe as a sacred link to Yoruba ancestry.

They said the annual celebration offered an opportunity to reconnect with cultural roots, preserve traditions and strengthen communal identity.

Chairman, Kosofe Local Government, Moyosore Ogunlewe, said Isẹ̀ṣe allowed residents to reconnect with their roots and appreciate inherited cultural values.

“Today, we pause to honour Ìṣẹ̀ṣe, the sacred thread that binds us to our ancestors, our values and our identity,” he said.

Ogunlewe said Yoruba traditions were not relics of the past, but living wisdom that continued guiding community relationships and conflict resolution.

“Our traditions are not relics of the past; they are living wisdom, guiding how we treat one another,” he said.

He urged residents to embrace Yoruba culture proudly, teach it to their children and preserve it for future generations.

 “Let us continue to embrace our culture with pride, teach it to our children, and preserve it for those yet unborn,” he said.

The chairman wished residents a peaceful and memorable Isẹ̀ṣe Day celebration, urging continued appreciation of Yoruba cultural values.

Similarly, Ayodele Benson, Chairman, Imota Local Council Development Area, congratulated traditional institutions, rulers, chieftains, traditionalists and residents.

Benson said Isẹ̀ṣe Day provided an opportunity to reconnect with ancestral roots and preserve traditions that define the Yoruba people.

He commended residents for showcasing their customs, cultural expressions, creativity and artistry during the celebration.

“These traditions serve as a bridge between our past, present, and future, reminding us of the importance of preserving our heritage,” he said.

Benson also commended residents for maintaining peaceful coexistence despite religious differences, assuring them of his administration’s commitment to equal opportunities.

He urged residents to promote peace, unity, mutual respect and harmony while supporting Imota LCDA’s development and economic advancement.

 “I give thanks to the Almighty God for sparing our lives to witness another Isẹ̀ṣe Day,” he said.

Benson prayed that Yoruba cultural heritage would continue flourishing while bonds of unity and peaceful coexistence strengthened among residents.

“May our cultural heritage continue to flourish, and may the bonds of unity and peaceful coexistence among our people grow stronger,” he said.

He wished residents a happy Isẹ̀ṣe Day, while praying for peace, progress, prosperity and economic advancement in Imota and Nigeria.

From Ifeanyichukwu Nwannah, Gusau

At least 46 people have died after a boat carrying 77 passengers capsized in Gorau community, Goronyo Local Government Area of Sokoto State, with 15 others rescued alive and 16 still missing as rescue operations continued on Thursday.

The victims were reportedly travelling to their rice farms when the boat capsized shortly after taking off while crossing a waterway.

The passengers included farmers, farm labourers, women and children, with some reports indicating that several of the children were between 10 and 15 years old.

The Sokoto State Police Command confirmed the casualty figures, saying local divers, officials of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) and the police were involved in the search and rescue operation.

The command’s spokesman, Ahmed Rufai, said, “Forty-six corpses have so far been recovered, while 15 persons were rescued alive,” adding that rescuers were still searching for the remaining 16 passengers.

A local journalist at the scene, Sharhabilu Yahuza Kiliya, said more than 70 people were aboard when the canoe overturned. He said the village head was among those on board but was rescued.

The accident has plunged Gorau into mourning, with families anxiously awaiting information about relatives who remain missing. Local divers and emergency responders reportedly began searching immediately after the incident, recovering bodies from the water.

A senior NEMA official, who identified himself as Alhaji Ibrahim, said the agency had mobilised personnel to the community to support the rescue operation.

The cause of the accident had not been established as of the time of filing this report.

The tragedy has also renewed concerns about the safety of farming communities that depend on waterways to reach their farms. It occurred exactly one year after a similar boat accident in Kijio community, also in Goronyo Local Government Area.

Reacting to the incident, the African Democratic Congress governorship candidate in Sokoto State, Hon. Manir Muhammad Dan’iya, described the accident as a “devastating tragedy” and called for urgent measures to prevent a recurrence.

Dan’iya urged the Sokoto State Government and emergency agencies to deploy additional personnel, medical teams and rescue equipment, while calling for proper identification and documentation of the victims to assist their families.

He also advocated the provision of regulated boats and life jackets, training for boat operators, improved emergency response equipment and the construction of bridges or alternative crossings where necessary.

“No farmer should have to risk his or her life simply to access a farm and provide food for the family,” he said.

The ADC candidate commiserated with the bereaved families and the Gorau community, while urging residents to cooperate with emergency responders as the search for the missing passengers continues.

From Yagana Ali, Yola

The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Adamawa State has formally kicked off its campaign for the 2027 general elections, throwing its political machinery behind President Bola Tinubu’s bid for a second term while mobilising support for the party’s National Assembly candidates.

The campaign flag-off, held on Tuesday, drew party leaders, aspirants, supporters and grassroots mobilisers, who gathered to rally support for the APC and begin what party officials described as an intensive statewide mobilisation ahead of the elections.

Representing Governor Ahmadu Umaru Fintiri at the event, Deputy Governor Professor Kaletapwa Farauta described the flag-off as more than a conventional political rally, saying it marked the beginning of a determined effort to mobilise the people and secure victory for the APC in Adamawa.

Farauta commended President Tinubu for what she described as his administration’s efforts to reposition the country through its policies and programmes.

She urged Nigerians to support the Federal Government by voting for the APC in 2027, arguing that continuity would allow the administration to consolidate its ongoing reforms and development initiatives.

According to her, the Adamawa APC would leave no stone unturned in its bid to secure victory for President Tinubu, the party’s senatorial candidates and House of Representatives aspirants across the state.

Farauta said the party would take its campaign directly to the people, with supporters expected to engage residents at the grassroots and mobilise voters across communities.

She urged party members to remain committed and united as the campaign progresses, stressing that victory would require sustained engagement with voters at the grassroots.

Also speaking on behalf of the senatorial and National Assembly aspirants, Mustapha Salihu described the rally as a historic moment and the beginning of a new political chapter for the APC.

Salihu said Nigeria had endured significant challenges in recent years but was gradually moving towards a period in which the impact of the Federal Government’s reforms would become more evident.

He therefore appealed to Nigerians to support President Tinubu’s re-election and vote for APC candidates in the National Assembly elections, saying continuity in leadership was important for consolidating ongoing development efforts.

Salihu disclosed that the campaign was initiated by the North-East Door-to-Door Movement before receiving the support of the Adamawa State Government.

Speaking on behalf of the movement’s leadership, including High Chief Government Ekpemupolo, popularly known as Tompolo, he expressed appreciation to Governor Fintiri and the people of Adamawa for their support and participation.

He described the turnout at the rally as an indication of the commitment of supporters to the APC’s political agenda ahead of the 2027 elections.

Adamawa State APC Chairman, Hamza Madagali, thanked party supporters for responding to the mobilisation call and urged them to maintain the momentum beyond the campaign launch.

Madagali charged party members to take the campaign to homes, markets, villages, settlements and places of worship, stressing the importance of direct engagement with voters.

He said the APC’s chances of success in 2027 would depend largely on the dedication of its members at the grassroots.

The chairman urged party faithful to remain united, organised and committed to the mobilisation drive, saying sustained interaction with voters would be critical to delivering victory for President Tinubu and the party’s National Assembly candidates across Adamawa.

With the campaign now formally underway, the APC is expected to intensify its grassroots activities across the state as political parties begin positioning themselves for the 2027 general elections.