Tag: President asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu
Celebrity chef Hilda Baci, on Friday, is a step closer to another historic culinary milestone as she completes her attempt to cook the world’s largest pot of jollof rice, setting her sights on official recognition from the Guinness World Records(GWR).
With over 20,000 people registered to attend, the atmosphere was electric as vendors offered snacks, meals, and drinks from various Nigerian ethnic groups while security officials and medics ensured a smooth experience.
The ambitious feat was achieved with a custom-built six-metre-wide pot designed to hold 22,619 litres of food. Baci announced plans to use 250 bags of rice for the challenge, with servings made available to attendees once the dish was completed.
Accolades from President Tinubu
Congratulating her on the achievement, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, described the attempt as “another demonstration of Nigeria’s global excellence.”
Speaking through the Director-General of the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria, Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo, Idris commended Baci’s resilience and precision.
On behalf of President Bola Tinubu, the minister extended best wishes to the chef, stressing that her achievement represented “a collective national victory.”
“The Federal Government lauds Hilda Baci’s extraordinary effort in putting Nigeria once again on the global map. Her dedication to excellence and her unrelenting pursuit of greatness exemplify the Nigerian spirit that the world has come to appreciate,” Idris said.
He further pledged the government’s support for similar projects that showcase Nigeria’s cultural and creative excellence abroad, urging young Nigerians to emulate Baci’s discipline and hard work.
History of Chef Hilda Baci’s record attempts
Baci, who rose to international fame in 2023 after breaking the Guinness World Record for the longest cooking marathon with a 93-hour effort, has continued to position Nigerian cuisine on the global stage.
Her latest attempt comes against the backdrop of the longstanding culinary rivalry between Nigeria and Ghana over jollof rice supremacy, further amplifying the cultural pride associated with the dish.
As the world awaits Guinness World Records’ official confirmation, Nigerians are already celebrating the feat as a triumph of creativity, resilience, and national pride.
Human rights activist and former presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore has refused the Department of State Services’ (DSS) demand to withdraw a social media post criticizing President Bola Tinubu.
Sowore said DSS has no business telling him how to criticise the President.
“You have no business telling me how to criticise the President. But, knowing the nature of your service, it is clear you have not learnt your lessons. Let me state it clearly once again: the determination of the Nigerian people to reclaim their country from thieves in power is unwavering. And it shall be achieved. Freedom cometh by struggle. Aluta continua, victoria ascerta,” Sowore said.
In a letter addressed to the DSS Director General, Sowore dismissed the agency’s request as unlawful and an attempt to act as a proxy for the president.
Sowore said the DSS had a long history of repression against him, recounting several instances of alleged rights violations dating back to his days as a student leader in the 1990s.
He cited arrests in 1993, 1996, and 2019, including his detention on allegations of treason and money laundering, as well as the invasion of a Federal High Court during his trial.
He accused the DSS of acting “bullishly, illegally and unlawfully” under successive governments and said its attempt to demand a retraction on behalf of Tinubu was “fundamentally defective” and unconstitutional.
“The DSS has dragged me through unscrupulous abuse and gross violations of rights for decades without remorse,” Sowore wrote.
Quoting constitutional provisions and African human rights treaties, he argued that freedom of speech protects citizens’ right to criticize public officials. He said defamation is a personal matter and cannot be pursued by the DSS on behalf of the president.
He added that his criticism of government was consistent with his long-standing activism and political convictions, insisting that Nigerians remain determined to reclaim the country from “thieves in power.”
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