Following the conclusion of her cook-a-thon, a US resident gave Chef Damilola Adeparusi, also known as Chef Dammy, the sum of N1 million.
The Ekiti University student prepared food for 120 hours while receiving praise and criticism from people from all areas of life.
Even though Chef Dammy was the subject of an official Guinness World Records statement, this hasn’t stopped people from rewarding her.
The generous donor who gave Dammy N1m continued by sharing his motivation for the gift.
The Guinness World Records on Thursday said that the video announcing Nigerian chef, Hilda Bassey aka Hilda Baci, as the new record holder for the longest cooking by an individual, is the top performing tweet ever on their handle, with 25 million views.
The video was reposted on Thursday with the caption, “Yeah, so this is our best-performing tweet of all time with nearly 25 million news feeds reached.”
Recalled that GWR announced Baci’s confirmation in a video shared on their Twitter handle on Tuesday.
It was accompanied by a statement on its website that reads, “Following a thorough review of all the evidence, Guinness World Records can now confirm that Hilda Effiong Bassey, better known as Hilda Baci, has officially broken the record for the longest cooking marathon (individual), with a time of 93 hours 11 minutes.”
Baci attempted to set a record of 100 hours, however, almost seven hours were deducted from her final total because of the extra minutes for one of her rest breaks early on in the attempt.
The world’s largest kidney stone was removed from a 62-year-old retired soldier by Sri Lankan military physicians, the army announced on Wednesday.
According to the army, the stone that was removed from the ex-sergeant, Canistus Coonge, was 801 grams (28.25 ounces), which is more than five times the weight of a typical male kidney.
The average kidney is between 10 and 12 centimeters long, but Coonge’s kidney stone was 13.37 centimeters (5.26 inches) long.
“The removal of the world’s largest and heaviest kidney stone through a major surgery occurred on June 1 at the Colombo Army Hospital,” the military said in a statement.
Coonge told the local Swarnavahini TV that he had abdominal pain since 2020 and oral medication had not helped.
“I was told to undergo surgery after a recent scan,” he said. “I feel normal now.”
The Sri Lankan case surpassed the largest kidney deposit previously recorded of 620 grams from a patient in Pakistan in 2008, according to Guinness World Records.
Elder financial exploitation, according to Senator Eze Ajoku, President of the Coalition of Societies for the Rights of Older Persons in Nigeria (COSROPIN), occurs when governments at all levels refuse to pay pensions to its senior citizens and retirees.
Ajoku bemoaned the fact that various forms of abuse are meted out to the elderly in society without any punitive measures being taken against the perpetrators on Thursday in Abuja during the observance of the United Nations World Elder Abuse Awareness Day 2023.
He emphasized the necessity for President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to sign the Older Persons Rights and Privilege Bill in order to ensure the preservation of the the rights of the elderly in the society.
According to him, the Bill seeks to confer privileges and benefits on older persons to enhance their quality of life as well as address the social and economic challenges, triggered by ageing and the need for the government to formulate policies that would incorporate the elderly.
Recalled that the Older Persons Rights and Privilege Bill 2019 was passed by the two chambers of the National Assembly and transmitted to then President Muhammadu Buhari for his assent, however, he did not sign it before leaving office.
Ajoku, a former Nigerian senator, who represented Imo East Senatorial District in the Senate, further urged the government to treat older persons as a class of vulnerable people, calling for the provision of monthly social security stipends, free medical care, older person’s homes in the country.
He noted that these measures would go a long way in improving the quality of life for the older persons in Nigeria.
Commenting on the theme of this year’s celebration which is “Addressing Gender-based Violence in Older Age–Policy, Law and Evidence-based Responses,” he said the theme recognised the unique challenges faced by older persons, particularly older women in relation to gender-based violence as well as highlighted the need for comprehensive policies, legal frameworks and evidence-based approaches to addressing these issues.
In his address, Dr.Nasir Sani-Gwarzo, Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, said the efforts of the Ministry led to the establishment of the National Senior Citizens Centre and the approval of the National Policy on Ageing by the Federal Government.
Sani-Gwarzo represented by Mr. Joseph Dzunguse, Focal Person for Older Persons in the Ministry, commended Senator Eze Ajoku and COSROPIN for working relentlessly to protect the rights, privileges and dignity of olders persons in Nigeria.
He therefore, pledged the ministry’s partnership with COSROPIN in ensuring that older persons in Nigeria live a happy, healthy and productive life.
In his remarks, the Director General of Legal Aid Council, Abubakar Aliyu, said the Council provides free legal services for all Nigerians, including the older persons.
Aliyu represented by Mr. Victor Labesa, Director, Planning, Research and Statistics in the Legal Aid Council, tasked the older persons to explore the services of the Council to seek redress whenever their rights are violated.
It would be recalled that the United Nations World Elder Abuse Awareness is observed annually on June 15th, to shed light on the global issue of elder abuse and promote the rights and well-being of the older persons in the society.
Okowa Cautions Edwin Clark Over Unending Attacks, Says Continuous Attack Will No Longer Be Tolerated
Sen. Dr. Ifeanyi Okowa, the former governor of Delta state, said yesterday that after eight years in office, he will no longer put up with insulting remarks from Chief Edwin Clark, the former minister of information for the Republican Party.
Concerned about the alleged smear attempts against the former governor, Okowa advised the wise man to develop a “father and son” relationship with the present and previous governors of the South-South region rather than criticizing them.
He asked the top Ijaw leader to consider how he would be remembered and to avoid having endless conversations with former governors.
The immediate past Governor who reacted to Clark’s allegation of being a traitor and fraudulent through his Spokesman, Mr Olise Ifeajika, in Asaba yesterday said the elder statesman goofed in all the issues he raised against Okowa.
He warned that any form of misinformation in the public space against the character of Sen. Ifeanyi Okowa will no longer be tolerated for posterity sake.
He said the former Governor will never be tired of setting the record straight over the alleged N150 billion loan, which was reduced to N91 billion and approved as bridging finance discount by the state’s House of Assembly.
He said he used the allocation that accrued to the state under his eight years administration were judiciously used for the growth and development of the state.
According to Ifeajika, “ For the elder statesman, whom we reverred and placed in high esteem, to have asked Okowa, diligently appropriate the finances of the state as governor, to come and account for the eight years allocation to the state, was not salutary to a man that has performed superlatively.
“This was a man that build a multi-billion naira floating market on a deep sea. Construct roads for vehicles to drive with ease on riverine terrains. Built three new universities that are now admitting and serving the children, taking them out of the streets and generating employment.
“He couldn’t have developed the state with his spit or sand, if not with the allocation accruing to the state. In youth development, Okowa ranks among the best among the best in Nigeria.”
He decried the allegation that the former Governor owns the controversial Premium Bank in Asaba.
“We know Okowa to be a Medical Doctor turned politician. He is not a businessman. He didn’t study Banking and Finance. So, to tie the ownership of one particular bank in a desperate bid to run him down, is again unfortunate and uncharitable to his quality service delivery.
He said instead of demeaning the former Governor, the elder statesman should commend him for his financial prudence, transparency and good governance.
“Whether the naysayers believe it or not, Okowa has done creditably well during his eight years as Governor of Delta state”, he said.
Ondo State residents from the Ijagba village in the Ose Local Government Area stormed the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Ondo Council state secretariat on Thursday to protest the repeated invasions, kidnappings, and killings by armed herdsmen.
The Ijagba community’s prime minister, High Chief Sunday Ogoh, led the demonstrators when they stormed the NUJ Secretariat in Akure, the state capital, claiming they were constantly losing family members to kidnappers.
The demonstrators claim that the Hausa/Fulani-speaking invaders made use of the woodland reserve between Ondo State and Edo State as a hideout.
They admitted that every time they kidnapped someone, they demanded ransom. Any victim whose family didn’t make a payment in the allotted time would be executed.
High Chief Ogoh explained that “We came here to inform the whole world what is happening in our local government area, most especially at Ijagba community, for the past two years.
“We have not been having peace of mind in our community with a lot of kidnapping, killings, burning of our houses, farmlands by these Fulani herdsmen that had been terrorising the community.
“Just three days ago, we lost one of our illustrious sons by name Ohiremen Isaac Odeh and his son too, named Solomon Isaac Odeh, who were attacked on their way to the farm. Apart from that, in that area, we also lost one of our former chairmen, Mr. Bola Adelegbe.
“In search for the victims in the bush, it was discovered that Mr. Ohiremen Isaac Odeh was killed by his abductors, while his lifeless body was found after trekking several kilometers in the bush.
“On the same day, the remains of Mr. Ohiremen Isaac Odeh were deposited in the mortuary, while a ransom of four hundred thousand naira, (N400,000) was paid to the abductors to release his son.
“It is now imperative, due to the ugly incident, to carry out our business and farming activities. We seek the support of the government and all relevant authorities to protect our lives and properties, which is one of the aims of the government since we can no longer go to the farm or sleep with our two eyes closed.
“This problem is not only limited to Ijagba, these Fulani herdsmen do operate in Imoru, Molege, Arimagija, Ute and Okeluse. On this axis, there is no presence of security operatives.
“So, we are appealing to the state government that we need; strong military base, Nigerian Army to be specific, so that they can mount one or two checkpoints in the area between Ifon, Imoru, Ijagba, Ute and Okeluse in order to reduce the attack of these Fulani herdsmen.
“Now many people cannot go to their farms, and whenever you’re going to the farm, you must be looking both your left and right and front and back because they can attack you at any time with their guns and weapons.
“The area has become the den of terrorists because there is a big forest reserve behind Okeluse, they use the place as their base. Whenever they kidnapped people, they would ask for ransom and once you cannot give them the ransom within two to three days, they will kill you. So, we have lost about 20 souls in that area in the last two years.
“We have reported to the state government and the security agencies in the state and the traditional rulers in that communities have held a several meeting, but up till now we have not seen any positive responses from the state government.”
Meanwhile, Solomon Isaac Odeh, who was kidnapped with his father, confirmed the incident and disclosed they (herdsmen) used rope to tie him and his father.
Revealing his ordeal in the hands of the Kidnappers, Solomon said: “They killed my father, while the sum of N400,000 was paid before they released me.”
When the Public Relations Officer for the state Police Command, Funmilayo Odunlami-Omisanyato, was contacted on the security situation in the communities, she said: “We are aware of the situation in the community and we are on top of the situation with a view to arresting those behind the attacks. I can assure you that with our investigation, we will arrest the perpetuators.”
On Thursday, the Nigerian House of Representatives rejected a proposal that sought to end the “Japa Syndrome,” in which young Nigerians leave the country in pursuit of better opportunities.
The House passed the resolution in response to a motion of urgent national importance presented by the member for Benue State’s Ado/Ogbadigni/Okpoku federal constituency, Hon. Phillips Agbese, on the urgent need to declare young Nigerians’ emigration abroad a national emergency.
In contrast to the number recorded in 2019, Hon. Agbese stated that there has been a 40% increase in the number of young Nigerians leaving the country, according to the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs, which estimated that overall international emigration from Nigeria in 2020 total 1.7million, which is a substantial increase from 990,000 in 2010.
The lawmaker again noted that the Nigerian population is made of two-thirds of persons under the age of 30 and that a good number of the persons are already afflicted with what today is acceptably referred to as the “JAPA SYNDROME”.
He further noted that the recent Reports by African polling Institute indicated hat 69 percent of young people would opt to relocate abroad if given the chance or if the opportunity presents itself.
“Concerned that the growing statistics of young Nigerians leaving Nigeria and securing permanent residence in the United Kingdom, the USA, and Canada portends a grave danger for our nation in many ways from Economic to intellectual and Social aspects”.
According to him, those leaving the country are not just the poor but middle class who possess skills/workforce including Bankers, Lecturers, Health care practitioners,Doctors, Nurses and trained manpower, all of whom were trained in Nigeria.
Agbese expressed concern that if the scenario continues with the nation’s able minds, brains and skilled personnel leaving, Nigeria may fall into grave crisis in its critical sectors from education to healthcare, thereby making a bad situation worse.
He urged the House to called for a national summit to address the factors causing the problem.
Debating the motion on the floor Hon. Sada Soli, member representing Jibia/Kaita federal constituency of Katsina state, speaking against the motion, argued that the motion contravened the constitution of the federal republic of Nigeria, which provides that it is the liberty of a Nigerian if he is qualified, normal and has all the grant rights of movement anywhere he wants.
Another lawmaker Jaha Usman, member representing Damboa/Gwoza/Chibok federal constituency of Borno state, who ke in favour of the bill, argued that the bill does not seek to stop young Nigerians from relocating abroad but for the urgent need to address the factors causing it.
After much deliberation on the motion, speaker Tajuddeen Abbas put the motion to voice vote and majority members voted to step it down as he adjourned plenary to 4th July, 2023.
***Reassures consumers of safety after meeting MAN
Insisting that investigations by the Agency have shown that Indomie Noodles implicated in the recalls in Malaysia and Taiwan is not in Nigeria, the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) has reassured consumers of Indomie and other noodle brands in Nigeria of the safety of the staple food among children and some adults.
During the Quarterly Interactive Session between the Agency and MAN on Thursday at the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) House in Ikeja, Lagos, the Director General of NAFDAC, Prof. Mojisola Adeyeye, revealed this and urged Nigerians to always eat safely.
In a statement released by Sayo Akintola, the NAFDAC Resident Media Consultant, Sayo Akintola, which was made available to newsmen in Abuja stated that: ‘’I love to eat good food, including noodles. But I want to be sure that the food I am eating is not going to make me sick, take medicine. And if I am taking medicine the food that I am eating will not make me to add to the medicine that I am taking. Therefore, I take food very, very seriously’’, she said.
The statement reads: ‘Immediately the news of the recalls of Indomie Noodles from Malaysia and Taiwan got to Nigeria she directed the Director, Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Mrs. Eva Edwards, and Director of Laboratory Services (Food), Dr Charles Nwachukwu, respectively to begin tripartite discussions with manufacturers and marketers.
” samples of the noodles and seasonings (spices), were collected by the Agency for laboratory analysis”.
The DG disclosed that someone asked her when the results were going to come out, adding that the Agency had run all the necessary tests. ‘’But we needed a chemical standard. It’s all science. We are a science organization, and our processes are science driven. We cannot conduct our own Nigerian science. No. We have to use the international standard chemical agents and things like that’’.
She stressed that the Agency is highly sensitive in terms of food safety, adding that we have to make sure that we do the right thing, regulatory-wise. She reiterated that NAFDAC officials went round and took samples from the market ‘’because there are suitcase importers that may bring such product in without us knowing’’.
The NAFDAC boss emphasized that the Agency did not ban importation of Indomie during the recent Taiwan and Malaysia episode where many people died after consuming Indomie Noodle. She said that Noodles generally had been banned by the Federal Government many years before she assumed office as DG NAFDAC in order to protect the local manufacturing sector.
She however, insisted that the implicated foreign noodles are not in Nigeria, hence, the locally produced noodles are safe for human consumption. She also said.
‘’we are improving on what will make our people healthier. Whatever we put into our food will affect us. Whether positively or otherwise’’.
She however, urged the Nigerian manufacturers to strive to bring quality into their products. ‘’You cannot add quality to it. Because it’s a matter of time it will show.
With quality, now comes opportunities to trade globally, she said, noting that Nigeria market is the largest in Africa.
She disclosed that regulatory agencies of several countries have been coming to NAFDAC to make enquiries because of ACFA, asking ‘’what are the things that we need for us to bring things to Nigeria to sell? She urged MAN to take advantage of the opportunity to generate foreign exchange for the nation’s economy.
‘’That’s why I urge MAN to take the bull by the horn with the Food, Beverage, and Tobacco sector and Chemical and Pharmaceutical sector to take the lead. We can do it. We can lead Africa in terms of trade. It may take some efforts. But it’s achievable’’, she said, noting that about two weeks ago, the first pharmaceutical company to have a WHO prequalified product in West Africa and Central Africa combined is SWIPHA Nigeria Limited. ‘’We are going to have many more of WHO Prequalified products in Nigeria’’., she pledged.
The Director General of MAN, Mr. Segun Ajayi Quadri, eulogized Prof Adeyeye for her leadership acumen which has transformed the Agency to a lofty height in the last five years, adding that ‘’we are therefore delighted by your reappointment as DG of NAFDAC. I assure you of our implicit confidence in your leadership and support as we work together for the overall development of our economy and the wellbeing of the citizens of this country’’.
Acknowledging the cordial working relationship between the two organizations, Mr Segun Ajayi Quadri said this will give meaning to all the efforts at enhancing the contribution of the manufacturing sector to the nation’s GDP and its competitiveness index.
‘’We shall also be looking for the definitive action on the outstanding memorandum of understanding between NAFDAC and MAN’’, he said, adding that ‘’we remain convinced that the MOU exemplifies the concretization of the cooperation and collaboration that we have built over the years. It provides the basis for certainty. It minimizes the use of discretion and becomes a sustainable guarding document in our relationship.
This is what our nation needs to work’’, he said, adding that ‘’this shows that you are leading in an example of what public and private partnership should be.
‘’We at MAN value the partnership the interactive sessions have engendered’’.
President Bola Tinubu, on Thursday, appointed eight Special Advisers just as his administration enters its third week.
They include Mr. Dele Alake as Special Adviser, Special Duties, Communications and Strategy and Former EFCC Chairman, Nuhu Ribadu, as Special Adviser on Security and Mr. Wale Edun as Special Adviser, Monetary Policies.
The appointments were announced in a statement signed by the State House Director of Information, Abiodun Oladunjoye.
In order to teach his family a lesson about staying in touch, 45-year-old David Baerten faked his own death and flew a helicopter to his own funeral in Belgium.
According to DailyMail on Wednesday, Baerten, a TikTok developer, told his wife and kids about his plan, and they assisted him by posting it on social media.
By saying, “Rest in peace, Daddy,” one of Baerten’s daughters deceived her father’s social media followers into thinking he had passed away. I’ll never cease considering you.
How come life is so unfair? You, why? You still had the rest of your life ahead of you and were going to become a grandfather. I adore you. We will never forget you.”
The family staged a funeral, and when mourners gathered, Baerten arrived by helicopter with a video team.
Baerten explained his actions, saying he did so to see how his extended family would react after he stated they had lost communication with him.
He said, “What I see in my family often hurts me. I never get invited to anything. Nobody sees me. We all grew apart. I felt unappreciated.
“That’s why I wanted to give them a life lesson and show them that you shouldn’t wait until someone is dead to meet up with them.”
Newsfocus is your news, sports,politics, entertainment, music fashion website. We offer you the latest breaking news and videos straight from the sports and entertainment industry across the world.
Contact us: [email protected]
© 2020 Focus Media . All Rights Reserved
