File: Rivers State Governor, Nyesom Wike says the new service chiefs must know that the task ahead is enormous.
Governor Nyesom Wike has asked the new Service Chiefs not to confine themselves to playing politics.
Wike who was a guest on Channels Television’s Sunday Politics argued that it was the romance with politics that caused the former Service Chiefs to fail in prosecuting the war against insurgency.
The governor’s statement comes few hours after New Chief of Defence Staff, Major General Lucky Irabor led other service chiefs on an operational visit to the Headquarters, Command and Control Centre of Operation Lafiya Dole in Maiduguri, the Borno State Capital.
This trip by the new service chiefs serves as the first operational visit aimed at better prosecuting the war against the insurgents and other miscreants across the country, a task which Governor Wike says is too enormous to be mixed with politics.
Euro Empire Records frontier singer-songwriter and label executive, AHANON EMMANUEL ENOH, aka B!G (Big In Greatness), who hails from Edo State, has released his debut single…
<img src="https://www.mtlblog.com/media-library/a-quebec-flag-waves-in-the-grass.jpg?id=61076796&width=980"/><br/><br/><p><a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/tag/fete-nationale" target="_blank">Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day</a> (aka Fête nationale du Québec) falls on Tuesday, June 24 this year, giving many Montrealers a midweek break to enjoy the city, attend festivities, or just sleep in. As Quebec's official national holiday, it's a <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/quebec-stat-holidays-2025-calendar" target="_blank">statutory day off</a> for most, meaning government services, stores, and transit could be operating on modified schedules.</p><p>Whether you're planning to catch a parade, grab brunch, or just wondering if the <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/tag/saq" target="_blank">SAQ</a> will be open, here's a handy breakdown of what's open and closed in Montreal this Saint-Jean.</p><h3><span></span>What’s open in Montreal on Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day 2025?</h3> <p><strong>Montreal public markets:</strong><br/> Atwater, Jean-Talon, Maisonneuve, and neighbourhood markets will all be open, but possibly with reduced hours. Check <a href="https://www.marchespublics-mtl.com/fr" target="_blank">Marchés Publics de Montréal’s site</a> for updates.</p><p><strong>STM transit:</strong><br/> Buses and metros will run on a holiday schedule. Plan accordingly via the <a href="https://www.stm.info/en" target="_blank">STM website</a> or Transit app.</p><p><strong>Garbage, recycling & compost pickup:</strong><br/> All regular Tuesday collections will happen as usual across boroughs.</p><p><strong>Espace pour la Vie museums:</strong></p> <ul> <li> Biodôme</li> <li> Insectarium</li> <li> Botanical Garden</li> <li> Planetarium</li> <li> Biosphère<br/> Open with regular hours.</li> </ul> <p><strong>Most restaurants, bars & cafés:</strong><br/> Open as usual, especially in tourist areas and busy neighbourhoods.</p><p><strong>Pharmacies & gas stations:</strong><br/> Most major chains will remain open, but hours may vary.</p><p><strong>Some dépanneurs and small grocery stores:</strong><br/> Especially in central areas — but expect limited staff or early closing.</p> <h3>What’s closed in Montreal on Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day 2025?</h3> <p><strong>SAQ & SQDC stores:</strong><br/> Most locations will be closed for the holiday.</p><p><strong>Shopping malls & big-box stores:</strong><br/> Expect closures at CF Fairview Pointe-Claire, Carrefour Angrignon, Eaton Centre, Carrefour Laval, Walmart, and Costco.</p><p><strong>Banks & government offices:</strong><br/> All major financial institutions and provincial/federal offices — including SAAQ and Passport Canada — will be closed.</p><p><strong>Canada Post:</strong><br/> No mail delivery or pickup. Some private post counters (inside pharmacies) may still operate.</p><p><strong>City of Montreal offices:</strong></p> <ul> <li> Accès Montréal offices</li> <li> Borough halls</li> <li> Permit counters</li> <li> Municipal courtrooms (except Room R.40 for detainee appearances)</li> </ul> <p><strong>Libraries, pools, & community centres:</strong><br/> Varies by borough — check your local borough's website to confirm schedules.</p><p>If you're looking to soak up some culture (or just enjoy a festive crowd), there are tons of Fête nationale parties and events happening around town. You can find a full list of official celebrations on <a href="https://www.mtl.org/en/experience/fete-nationale-montreal" target="_blank">Montreal's tourism site</a>.</p><p>As for the weather, <a href="https://weather.gc.ca/en/location/index.html?coords=45.529,-73.562" target="_blank">Environment Canada's Montreal forecast</a> is calling for clear skies and lots of sun with a high of 35 C. </p><p><em>Love this? Check out our <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/notices/" target="_blank">MTL Blog noticeboard</a> for details on jobs, benefits, travel info and more!</em></p><p><em>AI tools may have been used to support the creation or distribution of this content; however, it has been carefully edited and fact-checked by a member of MTL Blog's Editorial team. For more information on our use of AI, please visit our <a href="https://www.mtlblog.com/editorial-standards" target="_blank">Editorial Standards page</a>.</em></p><p><br/></p>
