Traditional worshippers under the aegis of the Isese Worshippers of Ogun State have said that the exclusion of Isese rites from the burial of the late Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, was a show of disrespect to Yoruba cultural heritage.

Ekwutosblog reports that the monarch died at the age of 91 on Sunday.

Oba Adetona, the longest-serving monarch in Nigeria’s traditional institution, who was installed as king on April 2, 1960, passed away after a 65-year reign.

Ekwutosblog reports that the monarch died at the age of 91 on Sunday.

Oba Adetona, the longest-serving monarch in Nigeria’s traditional institution, who was installed as king on April 2, 1960, passed away after a 65-year reign.

Reacting to the development, the traditional worshippers, in a meeting held on Thursday and chaired by Oba Dr Ifarotimi Adifagbola Balogun, the Oba Isese of Ogun State, condemned the manner in which Islamic rites were exclusively observed at the burial, sidelining the traditional ceremonies historically linked with royal passages.

Oba Adifagbola described the incident as a “tolerance and peaceful disposition” of traditionalists who, in their bid to promote interfaith unity, have allowed their children to marry across religions.

He said the chosen burial method was disrespectful to Yoruba tradition and warned that such forbearance should not be mistaken for weakness.

“We condoned the situation out of love for the society, not because we are powerless.

“But it is time our children learn to take pride in and participate in the religious practices of their parents. This is how our traditions can regain their place of honour,” Oba Adifagbola added.

Also speaking, the Oluwo of Iperu, High Chief Ifasola Opeolu, described the development as “an aberration and a slap on the traditional institution.”

To prevent a recurrence of the incident in Ijebu Ode and to curb what they termed the “erosion of cultural identity,” the Isese community revealed that a committee had been set up to engage the Ogun State Government and review existing laws regarding the burial of Obas.

The Nigeria Police Force, Zone 3 Headquarters, Yola, has informed members of the public that a shooting range training exercise will be conducted for its officers on Friday, July 18, 2025, at exactly 10 am in Girei, near Yola.

“The exercise will take place at the Counter-Terrorist Office located behind the NASS FM Radio Station, in Girei Local Government Area, Adamawa State,” the Zonal Command said in a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer, SP Yusuf Mohammed.

“This exercise is part of the routine operational training designed to improve the tactical capacity, discipline, and response readiness of officers under the Zone,” the command explained.

It further noted that the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of the Zonal Command, AIG Adeniran Kunle Akinwale, has urged residents and members of the public not to be alarmed by the sound of gunfire during the training period.

The AIG assured the public that the exercise will be conducted in a highly secure and controlled environment.

The Nigerian Communications Commission, NCC, has said that Nigeria has witnessed tremendous transformation in the telecoms sector leading to the achievement of over 79.65% tele-density and a Broadband Penetration of 48.81 as at May 2025.

NCC EVC, Aminu Maida spoke during the Stakeholders Forum on General Authorisation Framework for the Nigerian telecoms industry on Thursday.

According to him, this transformation, which followed the liberalization of the sector, has been on the rise in the last 24 years.

Maida pointed out that the progress has been driven by the rapid uptake of mobile technologies, surging data consumption, and an increasing appetite for digital services.

He noted that the recorded progress cannot be sustainable and beneficial to the people if a regulatory paradigm that is not only responsive but enabling is not embarked upon.

“Today, we are at a significant juncture, where disruptive innovations are accelerating the evolution of the communications ecosystem.

“We are now at a turning point, where the nature of innovation demands a regulatory paradigm that is not only responsive but enabling,” he said.

Maida maintained that modern regulation must be designed to enable innovation rather than hinder it.

“This is an objective that lies at the core of NCC, latest initiative: the General Authorisation Framework.

“This reform introduces a flexible and responsive regulatory licensing approach that is structured to embrace new and emerging services that fall outside the existing License Structure,” he added.

However, the EVC further noted that regulation alone is not enough, “You—our stakeholders—are central to the success of this framework.

“Mobile Network Operators, Service Providers, Infrastructure Companies, OEMs, startups, civil society, and academia all have a role to play.

“Your insights, your ideas, and your partnership are critical in refining this
approach and making sure that it works for Nigeria.

“As we look to the future, we must ensure that no one is left behind. That means expanding access, closing connectivity gaps, and empowering our youth, women, and The future of Nigeria’s digital economy is no longer distant.

“It is unfolding right before
us. And at the heart of this future is the communications sector—our shared infrastructure for innovation, inclusion, and economic advancement.

“To sustain momentum, we must be bold, collaborative, and committed to building a resilient and innovative ecosystem. Through the General Authorisation Framework, we are unlocking new pathways for experimentation, market entry, and growth.”