National News
Gospel Counsellor Wins Inaugural Korean Cooking Competition in Nigeria

Gospel Counsellor Wins Inaugural Korean Cooking Competition in Nigeria
By: Michael Mike
A gospel counselor, Mrs Patience Berepele, has emerged winner of the first edition of ‘Hansik'(Korean food) competition held in Abuja, carting home the N1 million cash prize.
The contest titled “Hansik (Korean food) based on Korean Traditional Jang (Fermented Sauces) Culture, featured Korean foods such as Tteokbokki’, Ranyeon, Yukgaejang, Galbitane, Yakgwa, and Rice cracker and had it grand finale in Abuja at the weekend
It was organised by the Korea cultural Centre in Nigeria (KCCN) and had nine finalists with Berepele, emerging as winner.
Victor Mac-Adonai came second, winning N700,000 cash and Yahya Bindir who came third, took home a cash prize of N400,000.
Berepele, who is also a minister of the gospel, after winning said words were not sufficient for her to express her happiness on coming top.
She gave thanks to the Almighty God for making it possible for her to get to the final of the competition that started in June to July and subsequently becoming the winner.
She said: ”But coming to see that I emerged winner is an exciting experience and I sincerely appreciate God for that.
” I love cooking as well as being passionate about other people’s culture and it has helped me in this contest.
“When I test a dish, I will be curious about the ingredients used to prepare it.”
Berepele while stating that she put in so much in practicing at home ahead of the contest, said: ”This has really helped me, coupled with the fact that I participated in the classes, but I know that everything happened by the grace of God,”
The winner appreciated KCCN for giving Nigerians the opportunity to participate in the contest, stating that: ”I must commend KCCN, it is not easy bringing out such amount of money they used to prepare us during the cooking classes.
” They tried in promoting Korean culture in Nigeria by ensuring that we prepared fusion of Nigeria and Korean dishes in the second round of the competition.
” They also ensured that everybody became abreast with other people’s culture, I am grateful to them.”
Her winning entry was: Ssambap with Bulgogi Ssamjang, accompanied with Doenjang Jjigae with three dishes like rolled omellet (Gyeran Mari), eggplant side dish(Gaji namil) and Bean sprout salad (Sukjulnamal).
For Victor Mac-Adonai, an engineering graduate who came second in the contest, the competition offered him an opportunity to prove his ability.
He said he took inspiration from Auguste Gusteau, who he considered to be the greatest chef in world whose words were: ‘Anyone can cook’.
He noted that for Auguste Gusteau cooking is not for those who are strong-hearted and imaginative. He said: “You must try things that may not even work, you must not let anyone define your limits.
“Anyone can cook, but only the fearless can be great. A cook makes food and I love food, therefore, I love to cook.
“People think cuisine is snooty, that it is exclusively meant for the elite and therefore a chef must also be snooty.
”This is the main reason why I choose to participate at the Hansik 2024 contest.
Mr Yahya Bindir, a software developer, who came third, said he was extremely excited to have gone this far in the different rounds of the competition.
Bindir said: ”I am grateful to my friends and family for their immense support throughout the cooking programme and contest.
” I am also grateful to KCCN for given me the opportunity to participate in the competition, and I look forward to participating in the future ones.”
Director KCCN, Mr Kim Changki commenting on the competition said that KCCN coming up with Hansik (Korean food) programme for Nigerians was awesome, adding that the initiative had made them to know about Korean food culture.
He noted that the initiative had brought synergy between Nigerians and Koreans in many aspects, especially in their food culture.
He disclosed that there is ongoing collaboration with the Association of Professional Chef in Nigeria to take this food programme to the next level.
Changki commended the winners for their zeal and interest in learning how to prepare Korean foods, as well as their love for Korean culture.
Gospel Counsellor Wins Inaugural Korean Cooking Competition in Nigeria
National News
VP Shettima Departs Abuja For Dakar To Represent President Tinubu At Senegal’s 65th Independence Anniversary

VP Shettima Departs Abuja For Dakar To Represent President Tinubu At Senegal’s 65th Independence Anniversary
By: Our Reporter
The Vice President, Senator Kashim Shettima, has departed Abuja for Dakar, Senegal, to represent President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the country’s 65th Independence Day Anniversary celebrations.
Senegal celebrates its Independence Day on April 4 each year, commemorating its freedom from French colonial rule in 1960. The day is marked by national pride, with ceremonies, parades and cultural events.
The Vice President’s attendance at the annual event is in honour of an invitation extended to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu by the Senegalese President, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, following the strong mutual relationship between Nigeria and Senegal.
The independence Day celebrations will be held at the Place de la Nation in Dakar, with President Faye playing host to Vice President Shettima and other distinguished guests from across Africa and beyond.
The Vice President is expected to return to Nigeria tomorrow after the one-day event.
VP Shettima Departs Abuja For Dakar To Represent President Tinubu At Senegal’s 65th Independence Anniversary
National News
President Tinubu Laying Foundation For A Better Nigeria, Says Hajiya Nana Shettima

President Tinubu Laying Foundation For A Better Nigeria, Says Hajiya Nana Shettima
- Tasks Nigerians on constructive criticism of government actions, policies
By: Our Reporter
Wife of Nigeria’s Vice President, Hajiya Nana Shettima, has scored the administration of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu very high, saying the President is building a better Nigeria for Nigerians through his laudable economic policies, various empowerment initiatives and investments in key sectors of the economy.
And to help the President secure a better future for all Nigerians, the VP’s wife also encouraged the citizens not to relent in giving very useful advice to the government, urging them to be more constructive in their criticism of the administration instead of just attacking for political reasons.

Hajiya Nana Shettima spoke on Wednesday in Maiduguri, the Borno State capital, during the annual Ramadan feast, which had in attendance women groups and students
Emphasizing the determination of the Tinubu administration to leave a lasting legacy for generations to come, she said, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is baking a new cake for us that are alive today, and for the Nigerian children and grandchildren that are coming behind us. It is who he is ably supported by our lovely First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.”

Hajiya Nana Shettima noted that the President means well for the people of Borno State as well as Nigerians in all parts of the country, even as she urged the citizens to always pray for President Tinubu and members of his cabinet.
“I can tell you that he (the President) means well, not only for Borno people but for the entire nation. We should not forget him and his subordinates in our prayers,” she added.
She further commended the First Lady of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for her contributions towards actualizing the agenda of the administration, especially through the Renewed Hope Initiative which she said has impacted many lives, including women, children and people with disabilities.
Also speaking at the event, the Director General of Maryam Babangida Centre for Women Development, Abuja, Dr Asabe Bashir, admonished women and the people of Borno State to imbibe the teachings of the just concluded Ramadan.
She also sought the people’s support and prayers for President Tinubu, thanking the President for picking his deputy from Borno State.
She said, “I always reiterate the importance of prayer because without prayers we can do nothing in life. We have just come out of Ramadan; let us imbibe that culture and lessons we received during the 29-day fast. We need to continue with the spiritual reflection.
“We should thank God and President Bola Tinubu for remembering the people of Borno State again by bringing the seat of the Vice President, not just to the North-East region but to Borno State after Ambassador Babagana Kingibe was elected along with the late Chief MKO Abiola so many years ago.
“We must continue to pray for the administration of President Bola Tinubu because if it succeeds, we succeed,” Dr Bashir added.
On his part, the Speaker, Youth Assembly of Nigeria, Tijjani Abubakar, thanked President Tinubu for his support to Nigerian youths through various youth empowerment initiatives.
Also, Dr Martins Ekunke, who spoke on behalf the South-South, Yoruba and Igbo communities residing in Borno State, commended the First Lady, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, for galvanizing support for people living with HIV/AIDS through her pet project, the Renewed Hope Initiative.
Among those that attended the annual Sallah feast hosted by Hajiya Shettima, were the wife of the Speaker of Borno State House of Assembly, Hajiya Maryam Lawan; wife of the Deputy Speaker of Borno State House of Assembly, Hajiya Laure Musa-Askira; female Commissioners and political appointees.
Also in attendance were women groups, members of the Borno State chapter of the Nationals Association of Nigerian Students, as well as the leaders of South-South, Igbo and Yoruba communities residing in Borno State, among others.
President Tinubu Laying Foundation For A Better Nigeria, Says Hajiya Nana Shettima
National News
UNILORIN Alumni Commences Tinubu on Appointment of Nandap, Omotowa, Aribisala

UNILORIN Alumni Commences Tinubu on Appointment of Nandap, Omotowa, Aribisala
By: Michael Mike
The National Headquarters of University of Ilorin Alumni Association has lauded President Bola Tinubu for appointing three of its members into various leadership positions in the country.
Those appointed were Comptroller General of Immigration, Mrs Kemi Nandap,, whose tenure was elongated till December 2026, Non Executive Director of NNPC, representing North Central, Mr Babs Omotowa- and the Pioneer Vice Chancellor of Federal University of Technology and Environmental Sciences, Iyin-Ekiti, Prof. James A. Aribisala.
In a congratulatory message to the trio, the National President, Prof. AbdulRasaq Kilani, and the National Secretary, Dr Barakat Raji, said the Association received the news of the appointments with excitement.
The Alumni, who commended President Tinubu for selecting the best for their various positions, assured him that the three alumni would not disappoint him in attaining the goals set for them to achieve.
While felicitating with the appointed members on their well-deserved appointment, the Association charged them to always show the excellence in them in surpassing the targets set for them by Mr President.
The Association who extolled the pedigrees of the appointed members in their various fields, implored them to live up to the expectations of the slogan of the institutions “better by far” in all ramifications.
The Alumni then prayed for their successful tenure and tasked them not to hesitate to reach out to them whenever their services are needed in any capacity towards national development.
UNILORIN Alumni Commences Tinubu on Appointment of Nandap, Omotowa, Aribisala
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