Tech

Government Announces 1-Day Public Holiday Nationwide

Published

7 hours ago

August 5, 2026

Rwanda has declared Friday, August 7, 2026, a public holiday to mark Umuganura Day, the country’s national harvest festival, a tradition that dates back to the pre-colonial era.

The announcement was made by the Ministry of Public Service and Labour on Tuesday, August 4, 2026. According to Legit, the holiday will be observed by workers across both the public and private sectors.

The ministry said in its official statement:

“The Ministry of Public Service and Labour informs all employers and employees in both public and private sectors that Friday, August 7, 2026, will be a public holiday in celebration of Umuganura Day.”

What is Umuganura Day?

Umuganura is one of Rwanda’s most significant cultural observances. The festival gives thanks to God and ancestors for the bounty of the land and marks the collective effort of communities in cultivating it. Despite being called a harvest festival, it is observed before the harvest begins, a tradition rooted in the practice of elders tasting the fruits of the new season before any family member is permitted to do so.

The celebration starts within individual families and then expands into wider community gatherings where traditional foods, crafts, and performances are shared. Rwandan restaurants and cultural centres, both at home and abroad, typically mark the occasion with special offerings tied to the country’s culinary heritage.

Agriculture sits at the heart of why the day carries such weight. About 80% of Rwanda’s labour force is engaged in farming activities, which contribute roughly 40% of the country’s Gross Domestic Product. Tea and coffee are the country’s most important cash crops, making up around 80% of its agricultural exports.

History of Umuganura festival

Umuganura has survived considerable upheaval. Germany colonised Rwanda in 1899 as part of German East Africa, and Belgium took control in 1916 during World War I. The prolonged period of colonial rule disrupted the festival, and it went uncelebrated for many years. Rwanda gained independence in July 1962, and the country gradually rebuilt its national identity in the decades that followed.

Despite its ancient origins, Umuganura was only formally recognised as a public holiday in 2011. Beyond its cultural significance, the day also serves as an occasion to reflect on the country’s yearly achievements across the sectors that drive national development.

Tech

Did Lady Who Filmed Oloolu Masquerade Procession Die? Truth Emerges

Published

24 hours ago

August 4, 2026

The Daily Voice

A young woman simply identified as Wasilat, who appeared in a viral video performing traditional rites at the Oloolu compound in Ibadan, is alive and has returned home to her family, according to a documentary photographer who visited the site.

Ayo Adams, a popular Ibadan-based documentary photographer, disclosed on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday, August 3, that he and a group of people went to the Oloolu compound in the Oremeji area of Ibadan, where the compound’s secretary confirmed Wasilat had gone back to her family and was on the path to recovery.

“The lady has reunited with her family and is currently recovering,” Adams quoted the compound secretary as saying.

Oloolu: How the controversy unfolded According to Adams, Wasilat had secretly filmed a crowd gathering at the Oloolu compound.

She later told some Ibadan residents that her health had begun to deteriorate, and she attributed the condition to her decision to record the scene.

Adams also alleged that police operatives escorted Wasilat and members of her family to the Oloolu compound, where traditional rites were carried out.

A video of the TikToker in a shrine, believed to be inside the Oloolu compound, subsequently went viral.

Opinion

Colonel Ude: Another Gallant Army Officer Taken Down

Published

3 days ago

August 2, 2026

The Daily Voice

It was another sad day last Monday when the news broke that a serving colonel of the Nigerian Army had been killed while his wife was shot in an attack on their residence near Abuja.

The slain officer, Colonel Abdussalam Ude, was attacked shortly after returning to his home in Kurudu District of the nation’s capital, on Monday evening. His driver and security guard also sustained gunshot wounds during the assault.

Citing security sources, PRNigeria said the attackers attempted to abduct the officer but met stiff resistance. After failing to take him away, the assailants allegedly shot the officer multiple times before fleeing the scene.

His wife, driver and security guard, who were caught in the attack, were rushed to hospital and were receiving treatment for varying degrees of gunshot injuries.

The killing has sent shockwaves through military circles, coming at a time Colonel Ude was preparing for his promotion to the rank of Brigadier General.

An indigene of Enugu State, the late officer served in several strategic intelligence and counter-terrorism roles within the Armed Forces. LawEnforcement

Colleagues described him as a courageous and highly respected intelligence officer whose dedication to duty earned him widespread admiration within the military.

Besides the fact that the killing has renewed concerns over attacks on serving and retired military officers in Abuja and other parts of the country, the killing of a senior military officer by gunmen right inside his residence, also shows how unsafe the country has become for both ordinary and privileged Nigerians.

It is particularly worse for military personnel. They are not safe on the battlefront; they are not safe at home and they are safe in retirement.

The incident comes about two years after retired Brigadier General Uwem Harold Udokwere was killed by armed men who invaded his residence in the Lokogoma area of Abuja while he was defending his family. The attackers reportedly escaped with his firearm and other valuables.

The federal government has to seriously come up with a strategy on how to end the incessant killings in the country. In the last one week, over 70 people have been killed across the country. Nigerians cannot continued to leave in fear.

-THISDAY

Tech

BREAKING: Painful L0ss, Nigerian Governor Bereaved

Published

5 days ago

July 31, 2026

The Daily Voice

Former Deputy Governor of Kebbi State, Alhaji Ibrahim Aliyu, has died after a prolonged illness, family sources have confirmed.

Aliyu, who served as Deputy Governor under former Governor Saidu Usman Dakingari from 2007 to 2015, reportedly passed away in Sokoto.

Reacting to the development, Kebbi State Governor, Nasir Idris, expressed deep sorrow over the former deputy governor’s death, describing it as a painful loss to the Yauri Emirate, Kebbi State and the nation.

In a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yahaya Sarki, Governor Idris said the late Ibrahim Aliyu was one of the state’s most respected leaders, whose life was marked by selfless service, integrity and dedication to public good.

The governor noted that Aliyu distinguished himself both as a career civil servant and as deputy governor, earning widespread respect for his humility, honesty and commitment to the development of Kebbi State.

According to him, the deceased left behind a legacy of exemplary leadership and public service that would continue to inspire future generations.

“His invaluable contributions to the development of our state and his unwavering commitment to the welfare of our people will continue to inspire generations,” the governor said.

Governor Idris prayed for Allah’s forgiveness for the deceased and asked that he be granted Aljannatul Firdaus. He also extended his condolences to the bereaved family, the Yauri Emirate and the people of Kebbi State, praying for the strength to bear the loss.