Nigerian chef and Guinness World Record holder, Hilda Baci, has announced her plan to cook the largest pot of jollof rice in a new record-breaking attempt.

In an Instagram post on Friday, the celebrity chef revealed that the event will take place on September 12, 2025, in collaboration with the culinary brand, Gino.

PHOTO OF HILDA BACI

Baci explained that the cooking feat will feature a giant pot that is six meters wide and six meters tall.

“Almost two years ago I had the dream to cook the largest pot of Jollof Rice ever made. And now, with ginonaija and YOU, that dream is coming alive.

“Six meters wide. Six meters tall. September 12, we make history together. Because what is Jollof without you to share it with?” she wrote.

In the video, Baci, who gained international recognition after her 2023 Cook-a-thon — said the challenge is a cultural celebration that transcends food.

She said, “Some dreams keep us awake until we make them reality. In 2023, it was the Hildebassi Cookathon that took the world by storm.

“This year, it’s Jollof, the heartbeat of West Africa. A taste that tells our story. It’s more than cooking. It’s a celebration of our food, our culture, music and us.

“We’re making history again and I want you to be there when it happens. Two years ago, I imagined the largest pot of Nigerian Jollof rice the world has ever seen. And today, with Gino, a brand we all grew up with, my dream is becoming a reality.”

Baci first came into the global spotlight in May 2023 when she completed a 100-hour cooking marathon in Lagos, a feat recognized by the Guinness World Records.

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….Oseloka Obi, son of Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate Peter Obi, has reacted to viral gay allegations after photos of him with Kent Okwesa surfaced online.

Oseloka Obi, son of the 2023 Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, has broken his silence following viral allegations linking him to homosexuality after photographs of him with London-based British-Nigerian, Kent Okwesa, surfaced online this week.

The pictures, which emerged on Wednesday, showed Oseloka and Okwesa sitting closely at a restaurant in the United Kingdom, sparking a wave of online speculation and gossip.

In a detailed statement released on Thursday, Oseloka dismissed the rumours as malicious fabrications, describing them as part of a broader attempt to discredit his father because of his involvement in Nigerian politics.

“Because of my father’s involvement in Nigerian politics, there has been a persistent curiosity and, at times, malicious obsession with me. I have no social media presence and no interest in maintaining one, so I rarely correct these falsehoods. But perhaps it is time I address them,” he wrote.

The actor and filmmaker emphasized that he is pursuing his own career path, far removed from politics and business, and insisted that ordinary photos of him were being misrepresented to push false narratives.

“This pattern has become all too familiar: individuals opposed to my father seize ordinary photos of me — images that are neither hidden nor secret and repackage them with false stories. These are not revelations. They are not exposés. They are simply misrepresentations; fiction spun from pictures. What is being circulated is gossip,” he stated.

Oseloka further explained that unlike many children of Nigerian politicians, he has never relied on nepotism, noting that his father’s wealth is not his and that he is determined to build his own life. He highlighted that his chosen path in theatre and filmmaking celebrates diversity of race, class, sexuality, and identity but stressed that this does not translate into the allegations being made against him.

He described the allegations as a distraction from Nigeria’s pressing issues such as insecurity, economic hardship, poor healthcare, and failing infrastructure.

“Our nation still struggles with insecurity, a weakened economy, crumbling infrastructure, failing healthcare, and politicians who steal from the people they swore to serve. And yet, for some, the priority is to spread gossip about who Peter Obi’s son appears with in a photo. This is a distraction from the real crises that matter to all Nigerians,” he wrote.

Standing by His Father

Affirming his support for his father’s political ambition, Oseloka said:

“My father has my vote, not because he is my father, but because he is the right man for the job. If others wish to go low, invent scandals, or attack me to wound him, they are free to do so. But we will go high, and we will continue to focus on the future of Nigeria.”

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The Nigerian Education Loan Fund (NELFUND) says that upkeep loan disbursement is now strictly tied to the academic session of each institution.

A statement by the Director of Strategic Communications Oseyemi Oluwatuyi states that in line with the directive, students shall only be entitled to upkeep loans for their current academic session and Upon the conclusion of an institution’s academic year, upkeep payments for that session shall automatically cease.

She further said interested loan applicants are required to apply for the loan at the beginning of every academic session to be eligible for both institutional charges and upkeep for that particular session.

To ensure accuracy and transparency, the NELFUND loan portal is being automated to reflect this adjustment

NELFUND is a student loan initiative in Nigeria that provides interest-free loans to students in tertiary institutions.

Here’s what you need to know :

Key Features:

– Interest-free loan: NELFUND offers loans without interest charges, making it easier for students to repay after graduation.
– Tuition and upkeep coverage: The loan covers both tuition fees and living expenses, ensuring students can focus on their studies.
– Repayment terms: Graduates are required to start repayment two years after securing employment or establishing a business.
– Eligibility: Students from low-income backgrounds, enrolled in public tertiary institutions, and meeting specific criteria can apply.

Benefits:

– Increased access to education: NELFUND aims to reduce financial barriers to higher education, promoting inclusivity and equality.
– Reduced dropout rates: By providing financial support, NELFUND helps students complete their studies and achieve their academic goals.
– Economic empowerment: The loan scheme enables students to pursue their education without financial burdens, empowering them to contribute to Nigeria’s economic growth.

Application Process:

– Registration: Students register on the NELFUND portal, providing required documents and information.
– Verification: NELFUND verifies the student’s eligibility and application details.
– Disbursement: Funds are disbursed directly to institutions for tuition fees and to students for upkeep allowances .

Impact:

– Over 449,000 beneficiaries: NELFUND has disbursed ₦86.3 billion to nearly 450,000 students since its launch in May 2024.
– Improved education outcomes: The initiative aims to enhance education outcomes by providing financial support to students and promoting transparency in fund allocation .

More About NELFUND

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has declared Abdullahi Bashir Haske, the son-in-law of former presidential candidate, Atiku Abubakar, wanted in connection with a case of criminal conspiracy and money laundering.

In a statement on Thursday, EFCC spokesperson Dele Oyewale urged the public to provide any information that could lead to Haske’s arrest.

The anti-graft agency called on Nigerians to share credible tips with the nearest police station or any EFCC office.

Haske, an entrepreneur, industrialist, and investor from Adamawa, is being sought for his alleged role in the financial crimes.

The statement reads: “The public is hereby notified that Abdullahi Bashir Haske, whose photograph appears above, is wanted by the EFCC in an alleged case of criminal conspiracy and money laundering.

“Abdullahi is 38 year-old and his last known address is: No 6 Mosley Road, Ikoyi, Lagos State; 952/953 Idejo Street, Victoria Island, Lagos State.”

Source: X | officialEFCC

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President Bola Ahmed Tinubu departed Yokohama, Japan, on Thursday night for the ultra-long-haul flight to Brazil, where he will begin a state visit on August 24.
 
President Tinubu will have a stopover in Los Angeles before continuing his journey to Brasilia, the capital of Brazil.
 
President Tinubu began his two-nation visit on Friday, August 15, when he departed Abuja. He and his entourage stopped over in Dubai, UAE, and arrived in Yokohama early in the morning on August 18.
 
After attending the opening ceremony and plenary of the ninth Tokyo International Conference for African Development( TICAD9) on August 20, President Tinubu held some bilateral meetings, culminating in the interactive session with diaspora Nigerians on Thursday night.
 
Bayo Onanuga
Special Adviser to the President
(Information & Strategy)
August 22, 2025 

Yokohama