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Guinness Records: Nigerian pilot attempts lightest non-stop flight between London, Nigeria
Guinness Records: Nigerian pilot attempts lightest non-stop flight between London, Nigeria
A British-born Nigerian pilot, Lola Odujinrin, is embarking on a mission to achieve the smallest and lightest non-stop flight between London, England, and Kano, Nigeria, in an aircraft weighing less than 1000kg.
In a statement, Captain Lola describes his Guinness World Record (GWR) attempt as a “record-breaking 20-hour endurance flight from London to Nigeria with a first stop in Kano State inside the smallest and lightest aircraft ever.’’
While his record attempt is a first, the closest record to his attempt was set by Roberto Bisa (Italy); he set the Guinness World Record for the longest journey by ultralight aircraft, 25,804 km (16,033 miles) flying from Istrana, Treviso, Italy, to General Rodriguez, Buenos Aires, Argentina, from 1 to 29 August 2015.
With unwavering determination, Captain Lola is attempting to rewrite history for the second time.
On 29 March 2017, he completed his “One Man, One Plane” expedition. He landed at Washington Dulles International Airport, the same airport he had departed from in June 2016. In completing his journey, he became the first African and the ninth British pilot to fly around the world solo.
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The expedition saw him fly from Washington to Canada via John F. Kennedy International Airport, then to Iceland, Scotland, England, Valencia, Malta, Egypt, Djibouti, Oman, Pakistan, Bangladesh and Thailand. It took him four weeks from Thailand to arrive in Darwin, Australia.
In his GWR attempt, Captain Lola says he has meticulously prepared his aircraft and underwent a weight loss journey of over 20kg to optimise the plane’s aerodynamic efficiency, showcasing his thoroughness and dedication.
He said: ‘‘It is Man vs. Machine vs. Nature: The success of this mission hinges on the perfect harmony between pilot, aircraft, and weather conditions’’.
Describing his attempt as more than a flight, he said a team of professional filmmakers would document the adventure.
‘‘The documentary will showcase the stops planned at significant locations in Nigeria, including Kano, the first state where a plane landed in Nigeria; Borno, Enugu, Akwa-Ibom, Owerri, Warri, Benin, Ogun State; Lagos and Abuja, the capital city where we will have the Minister of Aviation and his Excellency, the President of Nigeria receive us,’’ he said.
While adding that the historic feat will push the boundaries of aviation technology and demonstrate the boundless possibilities of human achievement, Captain Lola, as he is fondly called, said he plans to embark on a multi-state tour within Nigeria, starting with Kano State.
He said the choice of Kano as the first stop is because the first flight ever landed and recorded in Nigeria in 1925 was in the region.
Guinness Records: Nigerian pilot attempts lightest non-stop flight between London, Nigeria
News
Tinubu not telling Nigerians the truth, says Sule Lamido
Tinubu not telling Nigerians the truth, says Sule Lamido
President Bola Tinubu has been accused of not being forthright about the true state of Nigeria under his administration.
Former Jigawa State Governor and senior Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) member, Sule Lamido, made the accusation while speaking on the BBC Hausa programme Gane Mini Hanya.
Lamido criticized both Tinubu and former President Muhammadu Buhari for what he described as a lack of transparency in governance.
“Buhari’s and Tinubu’s governments are not being transparent with Nigerians unlike during the time when PDP was in power where everything was transparent and open to all Nigerians,” Lamido said.
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He accused the two administrations of relying on propaganda rather than providing citizens with accurate information.
Lamido also expressed concerns over President Tinubu’s recent loan requests, questioning the logic behind them. “If Nigerians are being told the truth then there is nothing wrong with that, but how would you budget N30tn, generate N50tn and then request loan when you have a surplus of N20tn,” he said, referencing last year’s budget.
He described the situation as “reckless” and “selfish,” adding, “This recklessness and clear-cut selfishness is not done anywhere in the world, but yet you find (some) Nigerians supporting it. Visit social media and see how APC is being criticised, being referred to as calamity, yet you find some protecting it.”
Tinubu not telling Nigerians the truth, says Sule Lamido
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Nigeria Customs Service begins 2025 recruitment [How to apply]
Nigeria Customs Service begins 2025 recruitment [How to apply]
The Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has announced the commencement of its recruitment exercise, assuring Nigerians that the process is entirely free and fair.
The agency has cautioned the public to be vigilant against scammers who may attempt to exploit unsuspecting applicants during the recruitment period.
Applications are invited for positions in the Superintendent, Inspector, and Customs Assistant cadres as part of the Service’s plan to recruit 3,927 officers in 2025.
This initiative is aimed at enhancing trade facilitation and supporting Nigeria’s economic recovery efforts.
“Our recruitment is entirely free and fair. At no stage do we charge fees. Anyone requesting payment is a scammer,” the agency emphasized, urging applicants to be wary of fraudulent schemes.
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The NCS outlined eligibility criteria, stating that applicants must be Nigerian citizens by birth, possess a valid National Identification Number (NIN), and have no criminal record or ongoing investigations.
Academic qualifications for the three cadres are as follows:
Superintendent Cadre: A university degree or Higher National Diploma (HND) along with an NYSC discharge or exemption certificate.
Inspectorate Cadre: A National Diploma (ND) or Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE) from an accredited institution.
Customs Assistant Cadre: At least an O’Level certificate (WAEC or NECO).
In addition to these qualifications, the NCS stressed that all applicants must be physically and mentally fit, providing evidence of medical fitness from a recognized government hospital.
Nigeria Customs Service begins 2025 recruitment [How to apply]
News
Tinubu to critics: I won’t reduce my cabinet size
Tinubu to critics: I won’t reduce my cabinet size
President Bola Tinubu on Monday unequivocally responded to critics who described his cabinet as “bloated” by saying he is unprepared to reduce the size of his 48-man cabinet.
“I am not ready to shrink” the size of my cabinet, Tinubu said during a media chat at his Bourdillon residence in the highbrow Ikoyi area of Lagos State.
“I am not prepared to bring down the size of my cabinet,” the former Lagos governor said, arguing that “efficiency” has been at the core of his selection of ministers.
The president also said he has no regret removing the petrol subsidy in May 2023, saying Nigeria cannot continue to be Father Christmas to neighbouring countries.
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“I don’t have any regrets whatsoever in removing petrol subsidy. We are spending our future, we were just deceiving ourselves, that reform was necessary,” he told reporters.
Tinubu appointed 48 ministers in August 2023, three months after his inauguration. The Senate immediately screened and confirmed the ministers. One of the ministers, Betta Edu, was suspended in January while another, Simon Lalong, moved to the Senate.
There were calls for the President to reshuffle his cabinet as many Nigerians have not been impressed by the performance of some of the ministers, especially in the face of unprecedented inflation, excruciating economic situation and rising insecurity.
In October 2024, Tinubu re-assigned 10 ministers to new ministerial portfolios and appointed seven new ministers for Senate confirmation. He also sacked five of his ministers but critics insist that the President’s cabinet remains large, especially with the creation of a Livestock Ministry with a minister.
Tinubu to critics: I won’t reduce my cabinet size
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