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Lagos, Ogun Set August 20 for Isese Day Celebrations

Published

2 months ago

August 19, 2026

Lagos and Ogun declare August 20 a public holiday for Isese Day, with traditional worshippers set to mark Yoruba heritage through prayers and cultural events

Lagos State Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu and Ogun State Governor Dapo Abiodun have declared Thursday, August 20, 2026, a public holiday in their respective states to mark Isese Day and celebrate Yoruba traditional heritage.

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The declaration will allow residents, traditional worshippers and visitors to participate in ceremonies featuring prayers, processions, drumming, rituals and cultural displays.

In Lagos, Special Adviser to the Governor on Tourism, Arts and Culture Idris Aregbe said more than three million people are expected to participate in activities marking the annual celebration.

Aregbe described the occasion as more than a day off work, arguing that Isese represents a living aspect of Yoruba spirituality and cultural identity.

“Ìṣẹ̀ṣe is not a relic. It is a living expression of our traditions and a celebration of Yoruba spirituality as an important part of Nigeria’s cultural and religious landscape,” Aregbe said.

The Lagos government has observed Isese Day as a work-free day since 2023, following a request by the Lagos State Council of Obas and Chiefs. Sanwo-Olu has maintained the policy as part of his administration’s stated commitment to indigenous values and religious inclusiveness.

Aregbe also placed the celebration within the wider Yoruba diaspora, noting the continued practice of Yoruba traditions in parts of the Caribbean and the Americas.

“When the drums sound in Lagos on Thursday, they answer drums in Havana, in Salvador, in Port of Spain. Fifty-five million people and counting. Lagos is not observing a local holiday. Lagos is standing at the centre of a global heritage,” he said.

The 2026 programme is expected to feature traditional prayers, rituals, processions, drumming and performances dedicated to the Òrìṣà. The Association of African Traditional Religion Nigeria and Overseas is coordinating the activities.

Aregbe also praised Sanwo-Olu and the traditional institution for supporting the celebration, particularly the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu I, alongside traditional rulers, chiefs, Babaláwo, Ìyánífá and other custodians of Yoruba heritage.

“Governments come and go. Custodians carry the culture,” Aregbe said.

In Ogun State, Special Adviser on Information and Strategy Kayode Akinmade said the government had also approved August 20 as a public holiday to commemorate Isese Day.

The state has recognised August 20 as a public holiday since 2023, following a resolution of the Ogun State House of Assembly and approval by Governor Abiodun.

The Ogun government said the observance gives adherents of traditional religion an opportunity to honour their ancestors, perform traditional rites and reflect on the values associated with Yoruba spiritual and cultural practices.

Officials also said the celebration could encourage greater public appreciation of Yoruba heritage while strengthening community ties and recognising the role of traditional institutions in preserving cultural identity.

Both states urged residents to celebrate peacefully and responsibly while respecting people of different religious beliefs and practices.

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The Isese public holiday therefore comes as part of a broader effort by Lagos and Ogun to give greater visibility to indigenous culture while promoting religious tolerance and social harmony.

news

Carrick Admits Man United Have Fallen Below Expectations

Published

2 days ago

October 23, 2026

Peculiar Adirika

Michael Carrick admits Man United have fallen below expectations after a poor run of results, urging players to restore the club’s identity

Manchester United manager Michael Carrick has admitted that the club have fallen below expectations following a disappointing run of results, insisting that his players must rediscover the values and identity that have defined the Premier League side.

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Speaking at a press conference on Friday, October 23, 2026, ahead of Sunday’s meeting with Bournemouth at Old Trafford, Carrick described the team’s recent performances as unacceptable and called for a collective effort to restore confidence.

The manager was particularly critical of Wednesday’s 4-1 Champions League defeat by Como, which he said had been painful to witness.

“Recently we haven’t had a good time, I think that’s pretty obvious,” Carrick said, according to BBC Sport.

“Wednesday was a bad night, and it hurt me to see us play like that. It was unacceptable.”

United’s struggles have intensified scrutiny of Carrick, with the team enduring a run of seven games without a victory.

Reports of tensions and criticism within the squad have added to the pressure ahead of the Bournemouth fixture.

The former United midfielder said his priority was to ensure the team performed in a way that reflected the club’s traditions and gave supporters reason to be proud.

“My responsibility is to get a team on the pitch that represents this football club, and the supporters, and they can be proud of in the identity we show,” he said.

“We have gone away from that recently. We all must recognise that.”

Carrick stressed that Manchester United’s history should serve as a reminder of the standards expected from players and staff, particularly during difficult periods.

He highlighted resilience, humility and hard work as essential qualities, warning that the club could not afford to abandon those principles amid its current struggles.

“The foundation and values of this football club have been etched for many years. I totally understand and get every single one of them,” he said.

“There’s a resilience about this football club that runs very deep. I’ve seen it with my own eyes, I’ve felt it, I know some of the individuals closely who have been a big part of that history.”

Carrick also rejected any suggestion that the club’s reputation should entitle its players to special treatment.

“Entitlement cannot be at this football club,” he said.

“It was based on being humble, having humility, and hard work. We can never lose that, and I won’t let us lose that.”

Carrick also declined to rule out leaving captain Bruno Fernandes out of the starting line-up against Bournemouth when asked whether he had considered dropping the Portuguese midfielder.

Fernandes has reportedly criticised Carrick’s tactics following the defeat in Italy, adding another dimension to the scrutiny surrounding the team.

However, Carrick said decisions would be guided by what he believed was best for the club rather than individual considerations.

“The most important thing for me is the team, the squad and dynamics in the squad,” he said.

“It’s about the football club. I’ll always do what is best for the football club.”

His comments suggest that team selection will be based on collective performance and squad dynamics as United seek to arrest their poor run.

Manchester United will host Bournemouth on Sunday as Carrick attempts to guide the team back to winning ways and ease mounting pressure.

The manager’s immediate challenge is to translate his call for renewed commitment into an improved performance on the pitch.

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With supporters demanding better results, the Bournemouth encounter presents United with an opportunity to demonstrate greater resilience and begin rebuilding confidence within the squad.