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February 29 birthday celebrants celebrate leap year

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*Says, they are mysterious, special beings

By Francesca Hangeior
A leap year occurs once every four years to account for the extra time it takes for the Earth to complete its orbit around the Sun.

This adjustment is necessary to keep the calendar year synchronised with the astronomical year.

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Individuals born on Feb. 29, also known as leap day, have a unique birthday that only comes around every four years.

They often refer to themselves as ‘special breeds’ or ‘special beings’ due to the rarity of their birthdate.

Some of these celebrants express joy and gratitude for the opportunity to celebrate their birthdays in a way that sets them apart from others.

For those born on Feb. 29, celebrating birthdays can be a mixture of joy and occasional challenges.

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While some see their unique birthdate as a blessing, others see it as awkward when comparing their birthday celebrations to those who have annual birthdays.

Some Lagos residents, born Feb. 29, while expressing their views about the day said, they are unique and special.

15-year-old Damilare Ijiwade, born Feb.29, 2009, described the day as “unique”.

“For this rare and special opportunity, my daddy has planned a little get-together for me with my friends because of the uniqueness of the celebration.

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“I give thanks to God for the benefit of seeing another birthday after four years.

“I feel great because my birthday is a very peculiar one that is being celebrated every four years. There is no need for me to be worried about it. I only put my mind on the fourth year,” Ijiwade said.

According to Shadrach Akowonjo, a 24 -year-old Civil Engineer, born Feb. 29, 2000, he feels awkward when others talk about celebrating their birthdays every year.

Though it’s not funny at all but all the same, I thank God, I will be visiting the orphanage.

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“When others talk about birthday other years, I feel awkward but who am I to question God, that’s our faith, we accept it, ” he said.

For Favour Thompson, a student born Feb. 29, 2008, described Feb.29 as a day for ‘mysterious and special beings’.

“I feel and believe being born on such a date is a misery, I am glad and honoured having to celebrate this year.

“Though people always mocked me every year, but it’s our turn to demonstrate God’s grace in our lives,” he said.

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Meanwhile, a priest, Rev. Father Clement Odiah, of the Seat of Wisdom Catholic College, Alagbaka, Akure, Ondo State, said individuals born Feb.29 are called ‘leapling babies’.

“They didn’t choose to be born on that date, however, they found themselves to be born on such day.

“There are so many things in life that we just have to find a way round it, we can’t deny or push them away. It’s not that they sinned or did anything wrong.

“Having birthdays annually is an opportunity to thank God to celebrate birthday every year, some don’t have such an opportunity.

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“Some break relationships or cause animosity for their birthdays not been celebrated. Tell them to calm down, if they have nothing to celebrate this year, another year will come. After all, some celebrate just once in four years, yet heaven hasn’t fallen,” he said.

Another Catholic Cleric, of Saints Gregory Major Seminary, Ogun, Rev. Fr. Paul Amenaghawon, said that those born Feb. 29 had the liberty to celebrate on other closer days.

“As long as those born on Feb. 29 increase in age every year, they can celebrate on either Feb. 28 or March 1, as they choose.

“What matters is that they remember they are increasing in age every year, regardless of having Feb. 29 or not,” he said.

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Also speaking, Rev. Fr. Anthony Afariogun, Chaplain, Our Lady Queen of Peace Catholic Chaplaincy, Adeyemi Federal University of Education, Ondo State, said celebrating once in four years is ‘divine’.

“Celebrating birthday once in four years is divine. They have opportunity of saving money for the next four years and prepare very well. It gives them also opportunity to reflect on their lives and see how to serve God better.

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Court Gives Falanas, January Date To Prove Case Against VDM

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

A Lagos High Court has adjourned the defamation suit brought by Femi Falana and his son against social media influencer, Vincent Otse, also known as VeryDarkMan, until January 23, 2025.

The case was brought by human rights activist Femi Falana and his son, Folarin, popularly known as Falz.

VeryDarkMan arrived in court dressed in a red native outfit, accompanied by fans who cheered him on, but the Falanas were not present.

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The case could not proceed as several applications filed by the parties were still not included in the court file. As a result, the court decided to adjourn the hearing until January 23, 2025.

On October 14, Justice Matthias Dawodu ruled on an ex-parte application filed by the Falanas, granting them legal protection from defamation. The judge ordered that VeryDarkMan remove a defamatory video he posted on September 24, 2025, which targeted the senior lawyer and his son. Additionally, the court prohibited VeryDarkMan from posting or sharing any defamatory content about them on his social media accounts until the matter is resolved.

The Falanas had filed separate lawsuits seeking N500 million each in damages, claiming that VeryDarkMan posted a video accusing them of accepting N10 million from Idris Okuneye, also known as Bobrisky, to influence a legal matter.

They argued that VeryDarkMan knew the allegations were false but chose to spread them, causing harm to their reputations. The Falanas further pointed out that the video continues to circulate online, further damaging their reputations.

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In response, VeryDarkMan applied to the court for permission to appeal the ruling.

He argued that refusing his request would be an injustice, as the case involves significant legal questions that require further examination. He stated, “A refusal to grant leave may result in the enforcement of a decision that does not reflect a correct application of the law, leading to outcomes that may be detrimental not only to the parties involved but also to the administration of justice as a whole. The appellate court’s role in clarifying and, where necessary, correcting trial court decisions is vital in maintaining the integrity of the judicial system.”

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READ 8 Facts About New Lakurawa Terror Group in North West

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

Lakurawa, a new terror group is now wreaking havoc in northwestern part of the country. It was once dismissed as harmless herders.

Initially seen as seasonal migrants, the Lakurawa group has evolved into a powerful militant force linked to jihadist networks in the Sahel.

With roots stretching back six years, Lakurawa has grown under the radar, exploiting Nigeria’s porous borders and limited government oversight.

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Here’s what you need to know about this escalating threat and the challenges it poses to the region’s security.

From Herders to Terrorists

Originally seen as seasonal herders from Niger, the Lakurawa group quietly entered Sokoto communities in search of pasture, later gaining a reputation as militants with ties to jihadist networks across the Sahel.

Authorities’ Early Misjudgment

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Locals first reported suspicious activities by Lakurawa herders nearly six years ago, but authorities dismissed them as non-violent. However, recent intelligence from Nigeria’s Defense Headquarters reclassifies Lakurawa as a new terror group with connections to extremist networks.

Cross-Border Threats

The Lakurawa exploit Nigeria’s porous borders with countries like Niger, Chad, and Mali, entering remote areas to promote radical ideology, often in Hausa and Fulfulde languages, and impose strict “Islamic” rules on communities.

Unusual Alliances

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Invited by local leaders to fend off other bandits, Lakurawa quickly grew from an auxiliary force into a dominant presence, controlling communities through a mix of militant enforcement and religious influence.

Camp ‘Darul Islam’ in Forests

Lakurawa established camps around Gwangwano, Mulawa, Wassaniya, and Tunigara along the Nigeria-Niger border, naming them Darul Islam, or “Abode of Islam.” Their membership has since swelled to over 200 young men.

Escalation and Armed Attacks

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Once tolerated by local communities, the group’s violent tendencies surfaced through alleged attacks on military bases and confrontations with Nigerian security forces, marking a shift to full-scale militancy.

Radical Ideology and Social Control

The group enforces stringent rules, often forbidding music and dancing, and collects levies disguised as religious Zakat. They pressure locals to obey these laws, maintaining authority over vulnerable communities.

A Growing Regional Concern

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With ties to jihadist groups across the Sahel, Lakurawa’s presence reflects broader security challenges. The breakdown in joint border patrols after Niger’s recent coup has only worsened Nigeria’s exposure to such extremist threats.(PRNigeria)

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It’s wrong to arrest individuals in place of suspects — Says PSC chairman

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By Kayode Sanni-Arewa

The Chairman of the Police Service Commission, DIG Hashimu Argungu (retd) has condemned the practice by Nigeria Police Force operatives of arresting individuals in place of actual suspects.

He also frowned at the handcuffing of suspects during arrests, adding that the law prohibits these practices.

A statement on Wednesday by the spokesperson for the commission, Ikechukwu Ani, said Argungu made this known
during training on international Human Rights-based policing and effective oversight of personnel of the Police Service Commission.

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Ani said the PSC chairman stressed that every suspect must be accorded humane treatment and must not be subjected to any form of torture, cruelty, inhuman, or degrading treatment.

The statement read, “DIG Hashimu Argungu, x-rayed human treatment of arrested suspects and declared that a suspect shall be accorded human treatment, having regard to his right to the dignity of his person and not be subjected to any form of torture, cru
Argungu noted that a suspect shall not be arrested merely on a civil wrong or breach of contract and shall be brought before the court as prescribed by law or otherwise released conditionally or unconditionally.

He explained that “a person shall not for any reason be arrested in place of a suspect adding that the law prohibits the handcuffing or any other unnecessary restrain of an arrested person, except if there is reasonable apprehension of violence or an attempt to escape; the restrain is considered necessary for the safety of the suspect or defendant or by order of court.”

Ani added the PSC chairman also noted that all over the world, police officers generally have broad powers to carry out their functions and duties.

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“He noted that the constitution as amended and other procedural laws, however, place limits on how far Police can go in trying to enforce the law.

“According to him, one of the primary purposes of these laws is to protect citizens from abuses by the government, including police misconduct,” the statement added

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