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Hajj: Avoid money laundering, Sanwo-Olu tells intending pilgrims

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Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State has cautioned intending pilgrims against engaging in money laundering and other criminal activities during their pilgrimage to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Speaking at a one-day seminar and special prayers for the 2024 Hajj Intending Pilgrims in Ikeja, Sanwo-Olu, represented by the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Lawal Pedro (SAN), emphasized the severe penalties for money laundering and urged pilgrims to avoid carrying prohibited items such as hard drugs, kolanuts, and bitter kola.

The seminar, themed “Significance of Hajj in the Lifetime of Man,” was organized by the Lagos State Muslim Pilgrims Welfare Board and Ministry of Home Affairs. Sanwo-Olu encouraged the pilgrims to be exemplary representatives of Nigeria and Lagos State, advising them to conduct themselves respectfully and adhere to the rules and regulations during their stay. He also committed to covering the costs for sacrificial lambs, visits to holy sites, and spiritual clothing for the pilgrims from the state.

The governor asked the pilgrims to pray for the success of the Nigerian President, the administration’s nation-building efforts, and for peace and progress in Lagos. He expressed hope that Almighty Allah would accept their prayers and ensure their safe return.

Mr. Olanrewaju Layode, Commissioner for Home Affairs, urged the 1,875 participants to maintain good conduct, reflecting the behavior of previous pilgrims. Sheikh AbdulRahman Lukman, Chief Imam of Igbogbo Central Mosque, highlighted the importance of Hajj, stressing that it requires pilgrims to be sin-free and committed to spiritual growth, with an emphasis on holiness and the fear of Allah.

In his welcome address, Imam Shakiru Gafar, the Board Chairman, encouraged participants to ask questions and strictly follow the rules. Special prayers were also offered for the successful governance of President Tinubu, Governor Sanwo-Olu, his deputy, and Lagos residents.

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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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Air Peace Differs with NSIB reports on crews involvement in drugs, alcohol

Air Peace conducts frequent alcohol and drug tests on our crew. We have a very strict alcohol use policy that is stricter than the 8 hours before the flight as provided in the regulations. Drug use is a NO-NO!

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Air Peace has responded to the Nigerian Safety Investigation Bureau (NSIB) regarding the incident involving one of its aircraft at Port Harcourt on July 13, 2025.

The airline said to date, no official communication was received on crew toxicology results by NSI, B, and the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) had cleared the co-pilot on duty.

In a statement by Air Peace, it stated that it is yet to receive any official communications from the NSIB on such findings over a month after the incident and after the testing of the crew for alcohol, which took place in less than an hour of the incident!

“As a responsible airline, we place utmost priority on safety, transparency, and compliance, and it is important to set the record straight.

“Air Peace conducts frequent alcohol and drug tests on our crew. We have a very strict alcohol use policy that is stricter than the 8 hours before the flight as provided in the regulations. Drug use is a NO-NO!

The NSIB had on Thursday released the preliminary report on its ongoing investigation into the serious incident involving a Boeing 737-524 aircraft, operated by Air Peace, saying initial toxicological tests conducted on the flight crew revealed positive results for certain substances, including indicators of alcohol consumption.

The report said that a cabin crew member also tested positive for Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive component in cannabis.

“These results are being reviewed under the human performance and safety management components of the investigation.”, a statement on the report signed by Bimbo Olawumi Oladeji, Director, Public Affairs and Family Assistance, NSIB, said.

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Hilda Baci Cooking World’s Largest Pot of Jollof Rice Today at Eko Hotel

Baci also disclosed she would be using 250 bags of rice to create what she hopes will become the world’s biggest pot of Nigerian jollof rice.

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Celebrity chef and Guinness World Record holder Hilda Baci is cooking what she describes as the world’s largest pot of Nigerian jollof rice at Eko Hotel and Suites today (Friday) in Lagos.

A video shared on her Instagram page on Thursday showed the moment the massive pot arrived at the venue of the record-breaking attempt in Lagos.

Another clip shared on her Snapchat story captured Hilda and her mother praying at the venue ahead of the event.

Baci announced on Wednesday that more than 20,000 people had registered to attend the event dubbed “Gino World Jollof Festival with Hilda Baci”

She emphasised that the event which kicks off at 9 a.m. on Friday, September 12, is free to attend, and that guests will “certainly not be paying for the amazing meal that I’m going to make for you.”

According to Baci, the historic attempt will feature a giant pot measuring six metres wide and six metres tall, in collaboration with seasoning and culinary brand Gino.

Baci also disclosed she would be using 250 bags of rice to create what she hopes will become the world’s biggest pot of Nigerian jollof rice

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