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Children of 86-Year-old Blind Udi Monarch Begs Gov Mbah over Detention of  Father

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Children of the traditional ruler of Akpakume, at Udi Local Government Area of Enugu State, Igwe Ekwueme Odenigbo, have appealed to Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State to release their 86-year-old blind father and brother, Solomon, from prison custody in Enugu.

The Vanguard reports that they also made a “Save-Our-Soul” call on the Senator Representing Enugu West Senatorial Zone,  Osita Ngwu and the Chairman of Udi local government council, Engr. Hyginus Agu, over the continued incarceration of their 86-year-old blind monarch,  Igwe Odenigbo by the Enugu State Police Command.

Igwe Odenigbo, 86 and one of his sons, Solomon Ekwueme, were detained in Enugu Correctional Service Centre, Enugu since January 9, 2025 following a petition written against them by a prominent citizen of the community, Mr. Livinus Okolo, aka Zion.

They said: “It is truly heartbreaking for us to be called back to Enugu with the news that our aged and blind father, a retired elder in the Redeemed Christian Church of God and the King of an entire community has been locked up by the Nigerian Police and charged to a Magistrate court and subsequently sent to the Prison at the behest of a man that has been nothing short of a terror to the entire people of Akpakwume community, Mr Livinus Okolom, Alias Zion”.

Odenigbo’s children posited that trouble began on December 23, 2024 when Mr. Livinus Okolo, allegedly invaded their father’s  palace with about 20 boys, armed with guns, axe and matchets and beat their parents mercilessly and took away his staff of office and other valuables claiming that Igwe Odenigbo had been dethroned and he, Okolo is now the acting Igwe because Igwe was involved in illegal mining and government decided to unseat him.

They pointed out that following Okolo’s attack on their father, irate youths in the community went and destroyed some part of Okolo’s house.

Igwe Odenigbo had on December 24, petitioned the police over the attack on his palace but no arrest was made because Okolo was said to be highly connected and has the backing of Gov. Mbah and the Commissioner for Chieftaincy Matters, Chief Okey Ogbodo.

They went further to explain that when the youths destroyed Okolo’s house over his alleged attack on their Igwe, Okolo petitioned the police and got the traditional prime minister elect, Onowu-elect, Chief Marius Ezeanyanwu, arrested claiming that it was he that instigated the destruction of his house.

They went further to explain that when the youths destroyed Okolo’s house over his alleged attack on their Igwe, Okolo petitioned the police and got the traditional prime minister elect, Onowu-elect, Chief Marius Ezeanyanwu, arrested claiming that it was he that instigated the destruction of his house.

As a result of the arrest of Chief Ezeanyanwu, the youths were said to have been angered the more and went and burnt down his house completely, the Igwe’s children pointed out.

Based on the arson on Okolo’s house, he was said to have petitioned the police who on January 9, 2025  who invited their brother, Solomon and their father for questioning but detained them afterwards.

Having detained them, on January 13, 2025, a magistrate court at Enugu North tried them and sent them to prison custody and ever since, they have been languishing in the Correctional Service Centre, Enugu.

Therefore, touched by the plight of their aged father, Igwe Odenigbo and brother Solomon, they begged the governor to intervene forthwith.

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No Danger from Ikeja Gas Odour, Rescue Ongoing at Ebute-Metta Collapse – Lagos Fire Service Assures (Photos)

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The Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service has assured residents and commuters within the Ikeja axis that there is no cause for alarm following the detection of a passive gas odour in the area.

In a statement released on Saturday, the agency attributed the odour to a routine gas pipeline maintenance exercise being carried out by Axxela Group, the parent company of Gaslink, which operates gas pipelines supplying parts of Lagos.

According to the Fire Service, the exercise involves the controlled release of residual gaseous particles and poses no threat to public safety. Fire and Rescue teams are actively patrolling the area as a precautionary measure.

“The public is hereby assured that the situation is under control,” the statement read. “The saturated air is expected to dissipate shortly, and residents are advised to go about their normal activities without fear.”

In a separate incident, the Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service also confirmed that a four-storey building under construction collapsed at 333 Borno Way, Alagomeji, Ebute-Metta, at approximately 7:46 p.m. on Friday.

Emergency responders, including the Fire Service, have rescued three adult male victims alive from the rubble.

However, search and rescue operations are ongoing as two construction workers are still believed to be trapped.

All relevant emergency services are currently on the scene, and further updates will be provided as the situation develops.

Residents are urged to remain calm and follow official communication channels for verified information.

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BREAKING: Hilda Baci’s Giant Jollof Pot Collapses During World Record Attempt in Lagos

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A dramatic twist unfolded at the Gino World Jollof Festival with Hilda Baci on Friday night as a massive pot designed for a Guinness World Record attempt collapsed during weighing, halting the proceedings and sparking concern among attendees.

The event, held at Eko Hotel and Suites, was aimed at setting a new record for the world’s largest pot of Nigerian Jollof rice. It attracted thousands of fans, food lovers, and celebrities, including actress Funke Akindele and rapper Falz. Hilda Baci, who became a household name in 2023 after breaking the record for the longest cooking marathon, led the effort.

Over 20,000 people had registered for the free event, with large crowds forming outside the venue throughout the day. Security personnel worked to manage the surging turnout as excitement built for the record attempt.

At the heart of the event was a custom-built pot measuring six metres in both height and width, originally planned to hold over 22,000 litres of rice. However, Baci later revealed that the target was scaled down to 4,000 kilogrammes—approximately 200 bags of rice—for logistical reasons.

To officially verify the weight, a crane was brought in to lift the pot onto a scale. But as the process began, the pot gave way under its own immense weight, collapsing and causing brief panic among spectators. No injuries were reported, but the incident forced organizers to suspend operations immediately.

Videos of the collapse quickly spread across social media, drawing both concern and support from fans online.

A spokesperson for Baci’s team confirmed that safety was the top priority and that they are working with officials to determine the next steps.

Though the fate of the Guinness World Record attempt is uncertain, the event once again demonstrated Baci’s star power and her ability to rally mass support around Nigerian cuisine.

Hilda Baci became a national sensation last year after cooking non-stop for over 93 hours, setting a Guinness World Record that earned her international acclaim.

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IBADAN: Early Morning Fire Destroys Shops, Millions Lost in Property

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An early morning fire on Friday, September 12, 2025, gutted four shops at Saki Garage, opposite Trans Amusement Park in the Bodija area of Ibadan, Oyo State.

The fire, which started around 2:07 a.m., affected four out of eleven shops in the complex. No casualties were reported, but properties worth millions of naira were lost.

Chairman of the Oyo State Fire Service, Hon. Maroof Akinwande, confirmed the incident and said firefighters were able to contain the blaze and prevent it from spreading to nearby buildings.

The fire was traced to embers left unattended after business hours, which ignited nearby flammable materials.

Akinwande advised the public to be vigilant, keep fire extinguishers at home and in shops, and store emergency fire service numbers. He also commended Amotekun officers from the Bodija Division for providing security during the firefighting operation.

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