Author: News Editor
Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, PhD, has congratulated Hilda Effiong Bassey, popularly known as Hilda Baci, for her bold and inspiring attempt at another Guinness World Record, this time by cooking the largest pot of Nigerian jollof rice. In a congratulatory message released by his Chief Press Secretary, Ekerete Udoh, Governor Eno expressed pride and admiration for her effort: “On behalf of the Government and people of Akwa Ibom State, I celebrate you on your bold Guinness World Record attempt, this time by cooking the ‘largest pot of the Nigerian jollof rice.’ “Your success exemplifies the Akwa Ibom…
Rewards Athletes From Urue Offong/Oruko LGA The Executive Chairman of Urue Offong/Oruko Local Government Area, Rt. Hon. (Chief) Uno Etim Uno, JP, on Saturday joined the Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Pastor Umo Eno, PhD, at the grand finale of the 2025 Sports Festival; a weeklong celebration of athleticism, unity, and camaraderie. Chief Uno, visibly delighted by the spirited performance of the Urue Offong/Oruko contingent, commended the athletes for their commitment and success. He rewarded the medalists with cash incentives, emphasizing that their effort was a source of pride for the entire local government area. “His Excellency’s vision is to…
Lagos, Nigeria – Nigerian chef Hilda Effiong Bassey, widely known as Hilda Baci, has been officially recognized by Guinness World Records for setting a new benchmark in culinary endurance. Hilda cooked continuously for an astonishing 93 hours 11 minutes, securing the title of Longest Cooking Marathon (Individual) and breaking the previous record of 87 hours 45 minutes set in 2019. The cook-a-thon, which took place in Lagos between May 11 and May 15, 2023, drew thousands of supporters and millions of online viewers worldwide. Throughout the challenge, she prepared over 100 pots of food, ranging from traditional Nigerian dishes to…
By Ekemini James Governor Umo Eno has proven to be a man of compassion. Literary analysts identify “compassion” as the delicate blend of empathy and responsibility, the rare virtue that transcends mere pity and finds expression in tangible action. It is the human capacity to feel another’s pain and, beyond feeling, to stretch forth a hand that heals, restores, and uplifts. Compassion, in its truest form, is not passive sentiment; it is an active force that redefines leadership. Compassion could also be what we describe, in the local parlance, as “mbom” – that deep sense of pity laced with tenderness,…
The Dangote Refinery and Petrochemicals will today launch its Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) trucks for the commencement of nationwide distribution of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS). The Refinery announced in August that it had received the first batch of its 4000 CNG-powered trucks for the fuel distribution programme, which was initially set to commence on August 15. During a courtesy visit by the AfricaRice Centre at his Lagos office on Sunday, Aliko Dangote reiterated that its decision to adopt direct fuel distribution was to reduce dependency on third-party carriers for fuel distribution in Nigeria. According to him, the move was not…
The fuss about much ado has never really been about it. The fuss about it has always been a function of the fact that it always, always targets nothing. And, we do not have to wander too far afield to pick up a trailerload of ready examples. Much ado about bias, about buffoonery. Much ado about cluelessness, about complacency. Much ado about emptiness, about euphemisms. Much ado about forlorn happy hour, about hate. Much ado about meanness, about mediocrity. Much ado about nonentities, about nonsense. Much ado about obsession, about offence. Much ado about poverty, about poverty alleviation which ends up…
Folasade Tinubu-Ojo, the eldest daughter of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has steadily carved out a name for herself as a bridge between tradition and modern advocacy. Known widely as the Iyaloja-General of Lagos — a title she inherited in 2013 following the passing of her grandmother, the formidable market leader Alhaja Abibat Mogaji — Folasade has grown into a formidable voice among traders and grassroots women. Since her father assumed the presidency, she has styled herself as the “First Daughter of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” a title that underscores her symbolic role in national life. With her visible presence…
The Managing Director of the South-South Development Commission (SSDC), Ms. Usoro Akpabio, on Saturday led a high-powered delegation, alongside the Executive Director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC), Mr. Victor Antai, to receive the President of the Senate, His Excellency, Senator (Dr.) Godswill Obot Akpabio, GCON, on his arrival in Uyo for the Catholic Bishops Conference. Addressing dignitaries at the Victor Attah International Airport, Ms. Akpabio described the Senate President’s presence as both an honour to Akwa Ibom State and a reaffirmation of his deep respect for the Catholic faith and commitment to promoting moral values in national leadership.…
Accra, Ghana — In the ongoing West African culinary rivalry, Nigeria’s Hilda Bassey remains in a league of her own. While a Ghanaian chef, Failatu Abdul-Razak, recently attempted a cooking marathon in Accra, her effort is still under Guinness World Records review — and importantly, it is not in the same class as Hilda’s globally recognized feat. Hilda Bassey, affectionately known as Hilda Baci, etched her name into history when she successfully set the Guinness World Record for the longest individual cooking marathon in Lagos, Nigeria. Cooking tirelessly for over 90 hours, Hilda’s achievement captured worldwide attention and has been…
When the name Hilda Baci is mentioned today, what comes to mind is not just the aroma of sizzling dishes, but the strength of a young Nigerian woman who dared to turn her passion into history. Born Hilda Effiong Bassey on September 20, 1995, in Nsit Ubium Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State, she has grown into one of Nigeria’s most celebrated chefs, entrepreneurs, and cultural ambassadors. The Making of a Culinary Star Hilda’s love for food began at home, inspired by her mother’s cooking. Yet, her path to greatness wasn’t a straight line. After studying Sociology at Madonna…