Governor Umar Bago of Niger State has said it is mandatory for preachers in the state to submit their sermons for approval.

He spoke on TVC’s Politics on Sunday: “I didn’t ban evangelism… For everyone going to sermon on Friday, he should bring his scriptures for review, and it’s normal. Even in Saudi Arabia, this is done.

“We cannot say because you have been given the opportunity to be a cleric you will go out and preach the gospel that is anti-people, anti-government and you think it’s normal.”

Asked if it was out of fear of indoctrination, the governor said, “It’s in that direction. We want to be able to see what they are preaching, hear what they are saying.

We are working together with security agencies; the Department of State Services (DSS), the Police, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and the military.”

The Director- General of the Niger State Religious Affairs, Umar Farooq, had said anyone interested in preaching in Niger must obtain a licence, emphasising that preachers had two months to obtain their licences

.“It is true, the State Government has banned preaching. Any preacher who wants to preach must secure a licence between now and the next two months.”

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.

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.