News
Just In: Influential APC Chieftain Is Dead, ‘Deep Sadness’
Ibadan, Oyo state – Alhaji Abdul Waheed Akintola Olajide, who served as Secretary to the Oyo State Government during the administration of the late Governor Abiola Ajimobi, died on Tuesday, August 25, 2026.
He was reported to be either 74 or 80 years old, with different accounts giving conflicting figures.
As reported by The Guardian, Olajide’s family confirmed his death in a statement released on Wednesday, August 26, describing him as a beloved husband, father, grandfather, uncle, brother and cousin. The family thanked God for his life and called on friends and the public to offer prayers and support as they grieve, according to PM News. He was buried in Ibadan on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, in accordance with Islamic burial rites.
Olajide was a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and was widely regarded as a committed public servant within Oyo State political circles.
Waheed Olajide: Aare Musulumi Pays Tribute
The Aare Musulumi of Yorubaland, Edo and Delta States, Alhaji Dawud Makanjuola Akinola De-Damak, confirmed Olajide’s sad passing and expressed deep sadness over the death.
Through a statement, the Aare Musulumi called Olajide a devout Muslim, a man of integrity and a dedicated public servant who served Oyo State with dignity and a strong sense of responsibility.
He described the loss as “painful” for the late SSG’s family, the Muslim community and Oyo State as a whole.
Olajide’s death: Media Personality Recalls Personal Bond
Faysol Oluwakemi, who is also a media personality, shared a personal tribute on his Facebook page, recalling the role Olajide played during his own political journey ahead of the 2027 Oyo State House of Assembly election. He wrote:
The news of the passing of Alhaji Waheed Olajide, former Secretary to the Oyo State Government, is deeply painful to me.
“Beyond the fact that we belonged to the same Progressives family and came from the same Ward 3 in Ibadan Southwest Constituency 1, Alhaji Waheed Olajide was a father figure, mentor and political elder to me.”
Oluwakemi recalled that Olajide counselled him during campaign consultations and encouraged him even after he lost his party ticket. He quoted one of the late SSG’s pieces of advice:
“You have all the qualities to represent our constituency. I pray you get the ticket. But promise me that whenever you get the ticket, you will represent Ibadan Southwest Constituency 1 with dignity, transparency and inclusion.”
He closed his tribute with the words: “Rest well, Baba SSG. Your words will continue to guide me.”
The Kano State Government has declared Tuesday, September 1, 2026, a work-free day for civil servants across the state to observe Takutaha, the annual religious and traditional procession.
Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf approved the announcement, which was formally addressed to senior government officials including commissioners, permanent secretaries, and heads of state agencies.
As reported by Daily Trust, the directive was published in Circular No. 7/2026, signed by Abba A. Danguguwa, Permanent Secretary of the Establishment Directorate in the Office of the Head of Civil Service.
Danguguwa issued the statement on behalf of the Head of Service. The circular noted that the holiday falls on the 19th of Rabi’ul Awwal, 1448AH.
What Is Takutaha?
Takutaha is a centuries-old celebration held on the 19th of Rabi’ul Awwal each year. It commemorates the seventh-day naming ceremony following the birth of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) and carries deep spiritual and cultural significance for residents of Kano.
Many make their way to Twin Dala and Goron Dutse hills, where they climb to share meals, feast, and enjoy religious performances while overlooking Kano
Kano government’s message to civil servants
In its declaration, the Kano State Government described Takutaha as an occasion of deep communal and spiritual importance. Officials urged civil servants to use the day for prayers and reflection, seeking divine blessings for peace and prosperity in Kano and Nigeria as a whole.
The government also confirmed that essential services will continue to operate normally throughout the holiday.
2 public holidays in August 2026
Recall that Nigeria has two public holidays scheduled for August 2026, covering both religious and cultural observances.
Isese Day falls on Thursday, August 20, and four Southwest states are set to observe it as a work-free day.
Eid ul-Mawlid comes up later in August, with its date depending on moon sighting and authorities’ confirmation.
The Federal Government has appointed a Professor at Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, Emmanuel Olukemi Rotimi, as a member of the Policy Advisory Committee supporting the Presidential Working Group on the National Policing Bill.
Daily Voice reports that Rotimi was selected because of his academic work on the history and development of policing in Nigeria, especially his research into the country’s former decentralised police systems.
According to Nigerian Tribune, the proposed National Policing Bill is being prepared to create a legal framework for the operation of both Federal and State Police Services.
The Presidential Working Group is chaired by the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila.
The group has been given seven weeks to prepare a draft of the proposed legislation that can be implemented and submit it to the Federal Ministry of Justice.
The Policy Advisory Committee is headed by retired Justice Mohammed Abdullahi Liman.
Its duties include providing policy guidance, giving instructions for the drafting process and reviewing the contents of the proposed Bill before it is finalised.
Rotimi is a professor in the Department of History at Obafemi Awolowo University and has spent many years studying Nigeria’s policing system.
His academic work has focused on how policing developed under colonial and post-colonial administrations and the challenges faced by earlier local police institutions.
His master’s research examined the Native Administration Police Forces in Western Nigeria between 1905 and 1951.
He later conducted doctoral research on Native Administration Police Forces across Nigeria from 1900 to 1970.
He also authored The Police in a Federal State: The Nigerian Experience, published in 2001. The book examined the origin, organization, and development of Native Authority and Local Government police forces before those institutions were eventually abolished
Former Gombe State Governor and Senator representing Gombe Central, Mohammed Danjuma Goje, has dismissed claims that Governor Muhammad Inuwa Yahaya pushed him out of politics.
He explained that he voluntarily stepped aside from the 2027 election.
Naija News reports that Goje stated this during an interview with BBC Hausa on Tuesday, following the controversy surrounding the All Progressives Congress (APC) senatorial primary, which resulted in him losing the party’s ticket.
The former governor said he had accepted the outcome as the will of Allah and would continue to support the APC despite not securing its ticket.
“I have reached a stage in my political career where I believe I should step aside and allow younger politicians to take over. I have already informed my supporters in Gombe that I will not contest the 2027 election following what happened,” Goje said.
He rejected suggestions that Governor Inuwa Yahaya had politically retired him.
“It was not Inuwa Yahaya who retired me from politics. It was Allah who decided that I would not continue with this matter,” Goje said.
He added that he could still return to the Senate if he decided to contest under another political party and secured its ticket.
Goje also said he did not consider his failure to secure the APC ticket as a betrayal.
“As a Muslim, I know that everything comes from Allah. It is not about betrayal. In politics, I can only show gratitude,” he said.
The former governor disclosed that he had decided as far back as 2019 not to seek another term in the Senate but was persuaded by his supporters and constituents to contest again.
“This time too, the decision was made quickly. I did not intend to contest, but I was persuaded. Since Allah has decided that I will not contest, there is no cause for concern,” he said.
According to him, his long experience in politics had also changed the nature of his political contests.
Nigerian Gov Declares Work Free Day
Just In: Influential APC Chieftain Is Dead, ‘Deep Sadness’
BREAKING: FG Makes New Appointment
Former Super Eagles Star Loses Life Savings, Duped By A Pastor of ₦1.2 Billion
I’m A Married Man, I Can Never Get Myself Involved With Such A Thing, Delta Gov Aide Reveals Why He Offered Comfort ₦500,000 Job
Lagos Imposes ₦250,000 Fine For Illegal Waste Disposal
-
Entertainment1 day agoAnother Yoruba Actor Dies Less Than 24 Hours After Ogogo’s Passing
-
News1 day ago2027: Atiku Vows To Boycott Any Presidential Debate Lacking Tinubu’s Appearance
-
Sports24 hours agoMan City’s Nico O’Reilly Wins PFA Young Player Of The Year
-
News24 hours agoTinubu Inherited An Economy In Shambles — Akpabio
-
News24 hours agoIt Was Not Yahaya Who Retired Me From Politics – Goje Fires Back At Critics
-
Entertainment1 day agoIt Wasn’t Easy – Johnny Drille Reveals How He Met His Wife At Mavin
-
Entertainment24 hours agoFull List Of 2026 Headies Awards Nominees
-
News8 hours agoBREAKING: FG Makes New Appointment