Hajj climax: Muslim pilgrims climb Mount Arafat

Muslim pilgrims on Monday began ascending Mount Arafat for the climax of the annual hajj which brings together more than two million people from around the world.

A sea of worshippers scaled the rocky hill southeast of the holy city of Mecca for a day of prayers and reflection where Muslims believe Prophet Mohammed delivered his final sermon.

Some of the pilgrims — men in white seamless garments and women in loose dresses — pushed elderly relatives in wheelchairs on the second day of the hajj, one of the world’s largest annual gatherings.

A hot wind blew across the hill, also known as Jabal al-Rahma (Mount of Mercy), and the surrounding plain after a downpour late Sunday. Many faithful could be seen sipping from bottles of water.

After sunset, the pilgrims will leave for nearby Muzdalifah where they will gather pebbles to perform the symbolic “stoning of the devil”.

The ritual begins in earnest on Tuesday as Muslims observe the first day of Eid al-Adha, or Feast of Sacrifice, which marks the end of the hajj.

Muslims traditionally slaughter sheep for the three-day Eid al-Adha, a tribute to the prophet Abraham’s sacrifice of a lamb after God spared Ishmael, his son.
They will consume some of the meat and give the rest to poor people unable to buy food.

The hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam which every Muslim is required to complete at least once in their lifetime if they are healthy enough and have the means to do so.
(AFP)
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AgegePulse

LASG enlists Asa festival into annual cultural calendar

...making the state a hub of historical attraction.

AgegePulse Magazine

In continuation of its unwavering effort to promote the culture and tradition of the people in the State, the Lagos State Government has enlisted the Asa Cultural Festival as one of the major annual festival celebrated in the State.

The festival which coincides with the unveiling of Asa Statue tagged, ‘Celebrating Ikorodu Division’s Heritage’ at Ikorodu captured the essence and origin of the local people and the need to teach generations unborn the relevance of our culture.

The Asa Arokolo (a man on a delicate stick) is one of the aged long celebrated Deities/ Festivals in Ikorodu and its environ invoking memories of the origin of the people of the town and the impact made by their ancestors during their lifetime.

Presenting the certificate of endorsement to the organizers of the festival, the representative of the Governor on Arts and Culture, Hon. Adebimpe Akinsola congratulated the people for propagating the Yoruba tradition and making the state a hub of historical attraction.

Adebimpe, who is the Special Adviser to Governor on Arts and Culture, disclosed that Asa plays an important role in the affairs of man and the community, explaining that apart from being the deity of fertility and happiness, it serves as entertainment and spiritual purpose which are beneficial to the people.

He further said that Asa serves as the fulcrum of social mobilization of the youth and society as a whole.

The Acting Commissioner assured the people that the Governor is interested in the development of arts and culture in the State, as he is determined to support events that promote unity and peaceful co-existence of all residents in the state.

According to her, Governor Ambode is pleased to have many cultural festivals because he believes that these would promote the indigenous culture of the people as well as attract both the local and foreign tourists in order to propel the state’s drive for economic prosperity.

She enthused that in line with the policy of the present administration, Asa and other cultural display at the festival will be listed for the State’s Cultural Road Map for 2018.

The Asa carnival was organized by Hon. Sanai Agunbiade, the Majority Leader of the Lagos State House of Assembly and prominent indigenes in Ikorodu as part of the efforts to revive Ikorodu culture and tradition.

GOV. OKOWA TO DELIVER FOURTH TREK AFRICA AWARDS SPEECH - AgegePulse

As the exciting moment for the continental award event; Trek Africa Awards/National Discourse (TAWA) return for the 2017 edition.

The Executive Governor of Delta State, His Excellency, Gov. (Dr.) Arthur Okowa Ifeanyi has been selected to deliver the fourth annual national discourse award speech.

In a statement by the Project director, Mr. Oki Samson the ceremony is expected to be in a class of its own as eminent Nigerians, captain of Industries, other Africa Personalities and members of the Press will be in attendance at the award dinner.

The organizers (McKinggs Media Productions, Publishers of Trek Magazine) said Gov. Ifeanyi Okowa was chosen to deliver the speech based on his wealth of leadership and political experience as a grassroots politician to being one of the finest Executive Governor in Nigeria today. He is a former grassroots leader, secretary to a Governor, Local government Chairman, a successful manager of Men and Resources, Senator, performing Governor and a renowned National statesman. The Executive Governor will be speaking on, “PATRIOTISM, CATALYST FOR NATIONAL DEVELOPMENT.”

The event will be hosted by celebrity Ghanaian TV Host; Dzifa Grey and Nigeria’s On Air Personality; Dotun of Cool FM and will hold at Oriental hotel, victoria island, Lagos on Sunday 29th October, 2017 by 2pm.

The 2017 Theme; “Patriotism” was deliberately chosen to carefully address the state of the Nation. Nigeria is evidently and unarguably a land of great potential. This view stems from her enormous natural resources, talents, diversity of culture, population strength and citizens resourcefulness. Great nations in history enjoy only one thing in common; “deliberate effort of citizens to build a secured and prosperous fatherland.”

The TAWA2017 Criteria focus largely on Personality, Market Domination (Companies), Leadership style, Uncommon Patriotism, Entrepreneurship, Level of Success recorded and Degree of Societal Impact.