The Sokoto State Pilgrims Welfare Agency has announced that the airlift of intending pilgrims for the 2025 Hajj exercise will commence on May 9.

Chairman of the agency, Aliyu Musa, disclosed this to journalists while giving an update on preparations ahead of the pilgrimage to Saudi Arabia.

He revealed that out of the 2,860 registered intending pilgrims from the state, 2,500 visas have already been processed.

“We have finalized arrangements with officials of Flynass Airlines, the airline responsible for airlifting intending pilgrims from the state to the holy land,” Musa said.

He explained that all logistical arrangements were being concluded to ensure a smooth and successful Hajj operation for pilgrims from the state.

According to Musa, this year’s pilgrims will be accommodated in the Masfala area of Makkah, a location familiar to many previous pilgrims from Sokoto State.

“This arrangement was made to ensure that our pilgrims are comfortable and settled in a known environment,” he added.

The chairman also announced a new payment approach for the Hadaya, stating that intending pilgrims will be required to pay for the Hadaya in Naira before departure.

“This is to prevent pilgrims from tampering with their Basic Travel Allowance (BTA) while in Saudi Arabia, which is capped at 500 dollars,” he explained.

Musa urged all intending pilgrims to conduct themselves responsibly and be good ambassadors of the state and the country during their time in the holy land.

“We are calling on our pilgrims to avoid any acts that could tarnish the image of Sokoto State and Nigeria. The Hajj is a spiritual journey, and it should be treated as such,” he advised.

Controversial Nigerian singer Portable has splurged on a brand-new FORD F150 truck, flaunting his latest acquisition on Instagram.

In a video, Portable revealed that he topped up the N20 million given to him by Burna Boy after his victory over Speed Darlington in a celebrity boxing match.

The singer knocked out Speed Darlington in the first round of their highly publicized bout, held at the Balmoral Events Centre on April 19.

Burna Boy’s N20 million reward was a celebratory gesture for Portable’s impressive win. With some additional funds, Portable was able to purchase his sleek new ride.

Photo source: Instagram

Residents of communities along the Apete -Akufo road have appealed to Oyo State governor Seyi Makinde to construct speed breakers and bumps om the road.

The residents noted that this is necessary in order to avoid incessant road accidents on the road.

Our correspondent reports that the road serves over 50 communities within Ido local government area.

Ekwutosblog gathered that the 12.5 kilometers road – which is the first concrete road in the state – was executed by Governor Seyi Makinde.

Many road accidents have occurred along the road since its construction.

The residents of the communities appealed to Makinde to provide speed breakers and bumps to avoid future occurrences of accidents on the road.

The residents in a statement signed by the Deputy Provost, Comfort Estate, Araromi, Professor Onyekachi Ireanus Okoro, said that many accidents have occurred on the road.

Okoro, in the statement made available to Ekwutosblog on Thursday, said that reckless driving habits of commercial motorcyclists, tipper truck drivers and other vehicle operators pose a significant threat to the lives of residents and travellers in the affected communities.

Okoro in the statement titled ‘Urgent call for road safety measures’, insisted that the current situation puts the lives of residents, commuters and pedestrians at risk.

“We, the community, are concerned about the increasing number of accidents on the Apete-Akufo Highway. The reckless driving habits of commercial motorcyclists, tipper truck drivers, and other vehicle operators pose a significant threat to the lives of residents and travelers.

“We kindly request the installation of speed breakers or bumps along this highway to reduce speeding and prevent accidents. This measure will help save lives and prevent unnecessary pain and suffering in our communities.

“The current situation puts the lives of residents, commuters, and pedestrians at risk. Speed control measures can significantly reduce the likelihood of accidents.We are concerned about the impact of accidents on families and the community as a whole.

“We urge the relevant authorities to take immediate action to address this issue. The installation of speed breakers or bumps will be a significant step towards ensuring the safety of all road users.

“We believe that with the implementation of these safety measures, we can reduce the risk of accidents and create a safer environment for everyone. We look forward to a positive response to our request”.