metro
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.
READ ALSO:
- Social media abuzz over Fayose claim of N50m donation to VeryDarkMan’s NGO
- Mexico recovers 31 bodies from secret graves
- FCT police recover huge firearms from suspect after shooting incident
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
metro
Mob lynches woman accused of witchcraft in Benue
Mob lynches woman accused of witchcraft in Benue
The Benue State Police Command has arrested two men in connection with the m8rder of an elderly woman accused of witchcraft in Egba village, Agatu Local Government Area of the state.
Spokesperson of the command, SP Catherine Anene, who confirmed the incident in a statement on Thursday, January 2, confirmed the suspects, Bako, 50, and Oyaje Clement, 40, were arrested for their alleged roles in the k!lling which occurred on Christmas Eve.
Anene described the incident as a troubling trend of mob justice in the state, particularly targeting elderly individuals accused of witchcraft.
READ ALSO:
- Mosques should be research centres – Varsity don
- Panic as huge space object crashes into Kenyan village
- Kidnappers demand additional N60m to release couple after family raise N10m ransom
“Another worrisome situation in the state is the case of people taking the law into their own hands, particularly young people killing the elderly for alleged cases of witchcraft,” she stated.
“On December 24, 2024, around 7:00 p.m., we received information about the killing of an aged woman over allegations of witchcraft in Egba village, Agatu LGA. Following investigations, two suspects were arrested in connection to the case.”
She reiterated the police commitment to bringing the perpetrators to justice and urged the public to refrain from jungle justice.
Mob lynches woman accused of witchcraft in Benue
metro
Mosques should be research centres – Varsity don
Mosques should be research centres – Varsity don
Muslims have been urged to turn mosques to research centers, where people can learn many things as it is done in some foreign countries.
This was stated by Dr Saheed Timehin of the Department of Foreign Languages, Faculty of Arts, Lagos State University, Ojo at the inauguration of Jama-At-Ul-Islamiyya of Nigeria Division 7 Central Mosque, Lagos Branch, Magodo and N500 million fund raising for J.I.N International Schools.
Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, represented by Commissioner for Home Affairs, Ibrahim Layode, hailed the organization for peaceful promotion of the Islamic religion in the state.
Dr Timehin said Muslims don’t take care of mosques,
“All mosques belong to God and it is a place dedicated to worshipping God no matter the name given to it. It should be a research center. A Muslim can pray anywhere he wants, but the place where Muslims gather that we call mosque must be a place to remember God.
READ ALSO:
- Panic as huge space object crashes into Kenyan village
- Kidnappers demand additional N60m to release couple after family raise N10m ransom
- Drunk police officer ‘frees’ 13 suspects to celebrate new year
“It is not where you talk about yourself, it is about God. Here, in Yorubaland, we don’t have a better understanding of mosques. They think it is a place to compete with money. It is where you fear God. It is the first school, it was where Prophet Muhammed taught people,” he said.
The scholar stressed that a mosque is not just about religion, and that the first university in the world started from a mosque.
Dr Timehin said that in those days, all mosques had libraries, classrooms and that scholars lived there.
He added that it was a place for Muslims to resolve issues, adding that the first parliament in Islam started from a mosque.
“A mosque should be revered. We can do all sorts of learning in a mosque. In Iraq, all their mosques have libraries and all the Imams have offices. The Imam should have visiting hours to attend to people. We should have all these in our mosques. Mosques are known for good things generally. We don’t even get good messages in many mosques these days. An Imam should be able to talk to anybody. An Imam should know something about everything because you will be talking to a lot of people.
“In some countries, they have places for research and people see mosques as a place for social engagements. This mosque has several features and we can add others. It should not be for Jumat prayers or marriages alone. They should organise workshops and seminars there,” he said.
Mosques should be research centres – Varsity don
metro
Kidnappers demand additional N60m to release couple after family raise N10m ransom
Kidnappers demand additional N60m to release couple after family raise N10m ransom
The abductors of a retired civil servant, Mallam Yakubu Dada and his wife, have refused to release them after payment of N10m ransom.
The couple was kidnapped along Kontagora-Tegina road in Niger State in October, 2024.
According to a journalist with Daily Trust, Akote Sadeeq Abubakar, Dada’s family sold his house, car, and household items to raise the N10m they paid to the kidnappers.
However, the kidnappers demanded an additional N60m ransom and ten motorcycles which they said they cannot meet as they have sold all their valuables.
“As we celebrate the New Year in peace, let us not forget that many residents of Niger State remain in captivity, with their families losing hope of their return,” he wrote in a Facebook post on Thursday, January 2.
READ ALSO:
- Drunk police officer ‘frees’ 13 suspects to celebrate new year
- Fubara ignores pro-Wike lawmakers, signs N1.18tn 2025 appropriation
- Obi: We’ve not agreed on merger with any political party
“One such victim is Mallam Yakubu Dada, a retired civil servant, and his youngest wife, who were kidnapped on the Kontagora-Tegina road in October. In a desperate attempt to secure their release, his family sold everything they owned—his house, car, televisions, and furniture—to raise the N10 million initially paid to the abductors.
“However, while awaiting their freedom, the kidnappers have now demanded an additional N60 million and 10 motorcycles. The family simply cannot meet these new demands.
“Furthermore, 23 women from Allawa in Shiroro Local Government Area have been in captivity since February 2024, along with many farmers from Kontagora and Mariga who are also being held hostage.
“The Niger State government must act immediately to intervene and ensure their safe release.”
Kidnappers demand additional N60m to release couple after family raise N10m ransom
-
metro24 hours ago‘Deepen Shariah knowledge to curb misinformation’
-
metro3 days agoWanted terrorist commander, Bello Turji, a dead man walking – DHQ
-
metro3 days agoNigeria on life support when Tinubu took office – Akpabio
-
metro24 hours agoIlorin: Retired works controller murdered on New Year’s Day
-
Politics3 days agoSeyi Tinubu death threat: Court fixes Jan 6 on Olamide bail application
-
metro19 hours agoTinubu’s refusal to honour Seyi’s pact with us disappointing – Nnamdi Kanu’s family
-
Politics2 days agoHow Tinubu outsmarted Buhari to become president – Ojudu
-
metro3 days agoVideo: Huge turnout at end-of-year matchmaking event in Lagos