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Four countries that won’t celebrate New Year
Four countries that won’t celebrate New Year
In less than 12 hours, countries around the world will be celebrating a New Year – 2025.
However, there are some countries that will not join in the celebration as their calendars differ from the rest of the worlds’.
Ethiopia, Nepal, Iran, and Afghanistan are four countries that won’t be celebrating New Year’s Day 2025.
Ethiopia is a land of ancient traditions and unique cultural identities, including its own calendar system. The Ethiopian calendar, based on the Coptic calendar, comprises 13 months—12 of which have 30 days, while the 13th month, Pagumē, has five or six days depending on the leap year.
The Ethiopian New Year, known as Enkutatash, falls on Meskerem 1, which corresponds to September 11 or 12 in the Gregorian calendar. Interestingly, Ethiopia is about seven to eight years behind the Gregorian calendar, meaning that as the rest of the world enters 2025, Ethiopia will still be in 2017.
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Nepal embraces two traditional calendar systems—Vikram Samvat and Nepal Sambat—making it one of the most unique timekeeping cultures globally. Vikram Samvat, a lunisolar calendar, is the official calendar of Nepal and is approximately 57 years ahead of the Gregorian calendar.
Additionally, the Nepal Sambat, a lunar calendar, is used by the Newar community and runs on its own timeline, adding another layer of distinction to the nation’s calendar traditions. The official New Year celebration in Nepal, called Bisket Jatra, typically falls in April. Hence, January 1 is not a significant date in Nepal.
Iran follows the Solar Hijri calendar, which is one of the most accurate solar calendars in the world. This system begins with the vernal equinox, marking the first day of spring. The Iranian New Year, known as Nowruz, falls around March 21 and is celebrated with elaborate customs and rituals that date back over 3,000 years.
For Iranians, January 1 is an ordinary winter day, with their focus firmly set on the arrival of spring and the renewal it symbolises.
Afghanistan also uses the Solar Hijri calendar, aligning its timekeeping closely with Iran. Similarly, Nowruz marks the New Year in Afghanistan, celebrated with feasts, family gatherings, and cultural events.
Afghanistan’s rich history and adherence to its traditional calendar reflect its cultural pride and resistance to adopting the Gregorian system, making it one of the few nations where January 1 holds no special significance.
Four countries that won’t celebrate New Year
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25-year-old man arrested for allegedly kidnapping minor in Kano
25-year-old man arrested for allegedly kidnapping minor in Kano
Operatives of the Kano Police Command on Saturday said it has arrested a 25-year-old man, Abubakar Musa for allegedly kidnapping a 2-year-old boy, Al’amin Ahmad Garba.
It was gathered that the suspect kidnapped his victim, took him to an unknown destination and demanded for a ransom of N50 million for the victim’s release.
The spokesperson of the command, SP Abdullahi Haruna said the suspect was arrested after a sustained follow-up and intelligence-led operation led to the victim’s rescue after 3 days in captivity.
According to SP Haruna, “The Kano State Police Command has successfully arrested a 25-year-old suspected kidnapper, Abubakar Musa, from Rijiyar Lemo Quarters, Kano. The suspect was apprehended for kidnapping a two-year-old child, Al’amin Ahmad Garba, and demanding a ransom of fifty million naira (N50,000,000) for the victim’s release.
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“The suspect was arrested on December 25, 2024, following a sustained follow-up and intelligence-led operation. The victim was rescued from a house in Unguwar Liman, Dorayi Quarters, Kano, where he was hidden for three days.
“The rescued victim was rushed to Murtala Mohammed Specialists Hospital Kano, treated, and discharged. He has since been reunited with his family.
“The suspect was charged to Magistrate Court Number 25 Nomansland Kano on January 3, 2025, and is currently remanded.
“The Commissioner of Police, Kano State Command, CP Salman Dogo Garba, assures the public that the Command will continue to work tirelessly to ensure the safety and security of all residents in Kano State.
“The Kano State Police Command encourages members of the public to continue supporting the Police by providing useful information that can lead to the arrest of criminals. In case of emergencies or to report any suspicious activity, contact the Kano State Police Command on the phone numbers,” SP Haruna however stated.
25-year-old man arrested for allegedly kidnapping minor in Kano
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Protest in Ondo community over plans to impose monarch
Protest in Ondo community over plans to impose monarch
There was a peaceful protest in Okeigbo, Ile-Oluji/Okeigbo Locàl Government area to push for a stop to an alleged plot by the Ondo state government to install a traditional ruler from the Aare Kugbayigbe ruling house.
The protesters said it was the turn of the Kuole Oloje Ruling House to produce the next Oluoke of Okeigbo.
Okeigbo has been without a king since 2023 when Oba Lawrence Oluwole Babajide died.
The protest was in support of the Oluoke Chiefs-In-Council and kingmakers appealed to Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to allow the rule of law to prevail in Okeigbo to avoid anything that could lead to a breakdown of law and order in the kingdom.
Speaking on behalf of the kingmakers at a press briefing in Okeigbo, Chief Dele Odunwole, the Ojomu Okeigbo, said a stay of execution has been filed against the lower court judgment which sacked late Oba Babajide.
The Oluoke Chiefs-In-Council appealed to Governor Aiyedatiwa to allow the case in the Appeal Court to be determined before embarking on any other action about the vacant stool.
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They said the Kuole Oloje Ruling House was the next to produce the next candidate for the vacant stool in line with the Oluoke chieftaincy declaration as contained in the Adeloye Chieftaincy Commission’s report.
“We, the Chiefs-In-Council, especially the kingmakers, are people of integrity and law-abiding citizens who would not do anything that could let the community and Ondo State at large down.
“We plead with all our sons and daughters of Okeigbo, within and outside, to please maintain peace at this trial time. All the problems of today will soon be over.”
Speaking on behalf of the protesters, Elder Ebenezer Oniwiede, said the community does not want trouble but peace.
He called for swift action to ensure peace and justice in the community.
“It is the turn of Kuole Oloje to produce the king for Okeigbo. Others have had their turn and should step aside under tradition. In the history of Okeigbo land, two Obas from the same ruling house have never been buried in the palace. This must not change now.
Protest in Ondo community over plans to impose monarch
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You saved Nigeria’s democracy by defeating third term agenda, Tinubu tells Nnamani
You saved Nigeria’s democracy by defeating third term agenda, Tinubu tells Nnamani
President Bola Tinubu has praised former Senate President, Ken Nnamani, for his decisive role in frustrating the infamous third-term agenda.
This is seen as taking a jab at former President Olusegun Obasanjo believed as being behind the third-term agenda.
Though Tinubu never directly named Obasanjo, the insinuation was clear. Obasanjo, who reported to be the mastermind of the controversial attempt to amend the constitution and secure a third term in office, faced a rebuke from President Tinubu during his visit to Enugu.
Acknowledging Nnamani’s pivotal role, Tinubu stated that Nnamani and his colleagues’ intervention saved Nigeria’s democracy from those who sought to derail it with the third-term agenda.
The meeting in Enugu on Saturday was part of Tinubu’s official visit, where he met with South East leaders to discuss critical issues concerning the region’s development.
The President also reiterated his administration’s commitment to completing the Eastern Rail line, connecting Port Harcourt to Maiduguri.
Tinubu expressed firm support for the development of the Anambra Basin, an area believed to hold substantial energy reserves, including an estimated 1 billion barrels of oil and 30 billion cubic feet of gas.
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This move, he said, would drive Nigeria’s energy future forward.
You saved Nigeria’s democracy by defeating third term agenda, Tinubu tells Nnamani
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