By Abdul-Ganiyy Akanbi

The President of Ilorin Likeminds Foundation (ILMF), Alhaji Lukman Abdullah Atanda has advised Muslims to strictly adhere to the regulations guiding the observance of Ramadan fast for them to earn full blessings and rewards of the spiritual endeavours.

Atanda particularly urged Muslims to observe the Ramadan fast genuinely for spiritual rejuvenations deeply rooted in the fear of God driven by the acts of compassion, self-denials of foods, drinks, smoking and intimate relationships from dawn to sunset.

The ILMF president, in a statement marking the beginning of the 2026 Ramadan fast released by the Director of Publicity of the Foundation, Mohammad Abdulkadri, also counselled on the importance of good deeds during the holy month.

While wishing the Muslim Ummah Ramadan Kareem, Atanda thanked Almighty Allah for sparing the lives of the fateful to “embark on the spiritual journeys that will foster greater brotherhood, promotes empathy for the poor and increased devotions to the reading of Al- Quran, Tafsir and observances of prayers.”

He particularly felicitated all Muslims brothers and sisters all over the world, especially the people of Ilorin Emirate, Kwarans, and Nigerians at large, urging them to pray for Allah’s deliverance from the dastardly acts of the bandits, kidnappers and terrorists threatening the peace of the nation.

He greets specially the Emir of Ilorin Dr Ibrahim Sulu Gambari, the Baloguns, Council of Ulamas, and the leadership of Ilorin Emirate Descendants Progressive Union, (IEDPU) as he prayed fervently that this year’s Ramadan fast would attract maximum mercies, forgiveness and blessings as an act of accepted Ibadah.

Muslims across Nigeria started the Ramadan fast on Wednesday following the sighting of the moon in Saudi Arabia and Nigeria as directed by the Deputy President General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) and the Shehu of Borno, Alhaji Garbai El-Kanemi on behalf of the President General and Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III.

By David Owei, Bayelsa

There is rising tension in Igbogene community of Yenagoa Local Government Area of Bayelsà State over the beheading of a 30 years old man by suspected cult group.

The deceased identified as Ebi (surname unknown) but popularly known as Npotor (Noise) is an Indigene of Amassoma community in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of the State.

He is alleged to be a member of the rival cult group known as Greenlanders.

Community sources told newsmen that the two rival cult groups, the Bobos and Greenlanders, were engaged in simmering beef in the area.

” The boy was said to have gone to Yenegue, an area controlled by the Bobos. He was taken and tied to and abandoned road and beheaded.”

Security sources confirmed to our correspondent that the corpse of the deceased was found naked, hands tied and the head missing.

Already, the Igbogene Divisional Police Officer have been deployed to the area to evacuated the corpse.

Contacted on the development, the spokesman of the State Police Command, Musa Mohammed, said he is yet to get the details of such incident at his disposal.

By David Owei,Bayelsa

Mr Isaac Yalah, a retired Director,Research and planning Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, has encouraged practicing journalists to remain steadfast and dedicated to their duties adding that they should continue to speak truth to reality.

Speaking at the weekend in Yenagoa when some senior media practitioners were rewarded for a job well done, Mr Yalah reiterated that journalists should strive not to compromise facts adding that journalism will continue to remain relevant.

Yalah, who was former Director of Research and planning , NCDMB, said that irrespective of the insurgence of social media, professional journalism has come to stay.

He advised the upcoming journalists to stay on course and practice the profession with decorum.

He said: “Journalism to me is very important and will continue to remain relevant because, journalism has professionalism. It has courage, and you speak to truth. It has dedication.”

“My word of encouragement to journalists is let’s remain dedicated. Let’s remain professional. Let’s continue to speak truth to reality. Let’s face the fact. Let’s not compromise things.”

Praising the senior media practitioners that have retired, he said:” these persons honored have done the same thing. That’s why they have been honored. If they have not stood firm to help the practice of journalism, we wouldn’t be here today.”

Advising those still practicing and those that will come into the profession in future, he said, “for those who are also practicing and those who in the future intend to be in the profession of journalism, they should also understand that they can be celebrated like this.

“But the most important thing is how professionally, dedicated and how we you speak to truth to power in this sphere of democracy, in this sphere of government and all of that.

“I think it’s very important that we are able to carry that message, that touchline from one generation to another generation, which is very critical.

“So journalism, whether we like it or not, whether you call it paper, virtual, print or whatever, it still remains very relevant because it’s the point of contact for us to get information that we desire.

“Whether we are doing social media today or whether you are doing print, for me, I still read newspapers today. Even if I don’t see it physically, I go online to the website of that media house to read the news of that day and all of it. So journalism has come to stay.” He narrated.