By Onyeanya Immaculata

Preparations have been concluded for the wedding of nine children of the Minister of State for Defence, Bello Matawalle, scheduled to hold on February 6 at the Abuja Central Mosque.

An invitation card circulating on social media indicates that the ceremony will take place at 1:30pm and will involve five sons and four daughters of the minister.

Confirming the development, the All Progressives Congress (APC) spokesperson in Zamfara State, Yusuf Idris, said arrangements were at an advanced stage, noting that he is part of the organising committee.

“By the grace of God, the ceremony will be conducted at the Abuja Central Mosque on February 6. The minister’s children who are getting married are five sons and four daughters,” Idris said.

The children slated for the same-day wedding are Ibrahim, Suraj, Safiya, Maryam, Aisha, Fahad, Muh’d, Nana Firdausi and Farida.

By Huldah Shado

Otunba Abdulateef Owoyemi, former President of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, has been appointed as the new head of the Fusengbuwa ruling house in Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State. The development comes after the resignation of Dr. Kunle Hassan, founder of the Eye Foundation Hospital, who stepped down as the family head.

The change of leadership was announced during a special Fusengbuwa Ruling House Unification and Integration Meeting held at Oba Adesimbo Tunwase Court, Agunsebi, Ijebu-Ode. Hassan’s resignation was attributed to “current developments and dynamics” following the passing of Oba Sikiru Kayode Adetona, the Awujale of Ijebuland, who reigned for 65 years before his death on July 13 at the age of 91.

Hassan, who also chairs the Governing Board of Olabisi Onabanjo University Teaching Hospital, Sagamu, thanked those who supported him during his tenure as the head of the ruling house. He urged family members to unite behind Owoyemi, saying, “This is the appointed time for Otunba Owoyemi. He has been in it for over 40 years, but when it is the right time, the good Lord blesses it, and that is what we witnessed today.”

In his acceptance speech, Owoyemi promised to lead the ruling house with fairness and integrity. “I have been a very senior member of the Fusengbuwa ruling house for over 44 years, including about 10 years in leadership roles. I am conversant with the challenges, but with God and the people on my side, they are not insurmountable,” he said.

By Onilede Titi Faith

The International Council for Ifa Religion (ICIR) has appealed to President Bola Tinubu to declare August 20 as a national public holiday in honour of Isese Day.

ICIR President, Fayemi Fakayode, made the call in Ibadan on Wednesday during the 2025 Isese Day celebration.

While states including Oyo, Lagos, Ogun, and Osun already recognise the day, Fakayode urged governors of Ekiti, Ondo, Kwara, Kogi, Edo, and Delta to follow suit.

He said national recognition would end what he described as “inequality among the three major religions” in Nigeria.

The council also asked the government to fund cultural festivals, protect shrines and sacred lands, and integrate traditional religion adherents into cultural councils.

Fakayode commended South-West governors for supporting the celebration, stressing that Isese embodies morality, unity, reverence for nature, and communal living.