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Gospel Counsellor Wins Inaugural Korean Cooking Competition in Nigeria

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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

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International Day of Democracy/ ActionAid Nigeria Demands Good Governance

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International Day of Democracy/ ActionAid Nigeria Demands Good Governance

By: Michael Mike

As the world commemorates the International Day of Democracy under the theme, “From Voice to Action,” ActionAid Nigeria has insisted on good governance and the repair of the fractures in the nation’s democracy in order to ensure its foundational pillars are not eroded.

A statement on Monday by the Country Director, ActionAid Nigeria, Andrew Mamedu noted that the theme of the day serves as a powerful call to move beyond merely expressing the will of the people (voice) to taking decisive steps to translate that will into tangible results and good governance (action).

He noted that: For Nigeria, this year’s commemoration is not a theoretical exercise; it is an urgent demand for a system where the voice of the people is not just heard, but is acted upon to repair the fractures in our democracy and ensure its foundational pillars are not eroded.”

Mamedu also noted that “Our democracy is at a critical juncture. While we have sustained a continuous civilian rule for over two and a half decades, the promise of democracy, accountability, good governance, and credible elections remains, for many, an illusion.”

He highlighted the recent 2025 Chandler Good Government Index, which ranked Nigeria at a dismal 116th out of 120 countries, and the Mo Ibrahim Index of African Governance, which places us 33rd out of 54 African nations, stating that these “are not mere statistics; they are a damning indictment of a system that is failing to deliver on its most basic duties. This trust deficit is palpable and it stems from a leadership that often operates without genuine accountability to the citizens it purports to serve.”

He added that these figures, alongside a national unemployment rate that has remained stubbornly high and a multidimensional poverty index showing that a third of our population lives in abject poverty, paint a picture of a democracy that is not delivering on its promise.

He noted that the Rivers State situation in 2025 serves as a chilling testament to this democratic regression, a situation where a state of emergency was declared to settle political scores.

He further noted that the situation with Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan further questions Nigeria’s rule of law and the abuse of power within our legislative arm, lamenting that despite a court order and the expiration of Akpoti-Uduaghan’s six-month suspension, the National Assembly has continued to bar her from resuming her duties, citing a pending appeal.

Mamedu said this refusal to adhere to a judicial pronouncement is a clear example of legislative impunity, and it disenfranchises the entire Kogi Central Senatorial District. He added that it is a deeply unsettling precedent that suggests political institutions can act as they please, with little regard for the checks and balances designed to protect the rights of citizens and their elected representatives.

He stressed that this deliberate obstruction of a lawmaker’s mandate is not just an attack on an individual; it is an assault on the core tenets of representative democracy and a clear message that dissent will not be tolerated, even when it is legally sanctioned.

He said: “As we confront these domestic challenges, we must draw lessons from global trends, particularly from the Gen Z-led movement for accountability and democratic reform in Nepal. Angered by systemic corruption and a lavish political elite, Nepalese youth took to the streets in 2025, demanding a government that serves the people rather than itself. Their digitally powered protests, which saw the use of social media platforms like TikTok and Telegram for mobilisation, culminated in the resignation of the Prime Minister and a push for a new political order. This movement is a powerful reminder that a digitally-native generation is no longer content with the status quo. They are demanding transparency, accountability, and a genuine say in whom their leaders are. For Nigeria’s democracy to thrive, it must empower its youth and engage with their demands for good governance, for it is this generation that will either inherit a broken system or build a more equitable one.”

He said on this International Day of Democracy, ActionAid Nigeria calls on all tiers of government and stakeholders, including the judiciary, civil society, and every Nigerian citizen, to demonstrate a renewed commitment to accountability. We demand the immediate reinstatement of Senator Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan to her senatorial seat in compliance with the Federal High Court’s judgment. The Presidency must be held accountable by refraining from actions that undermine federalism, as seen in the Rivers State crisis.

He added that: “The National Assembly must also be held accountable by playing its role of check and balance on the Executive arm. Furthermore, we call for the swift passage of electoral reform legislation, including provisions for electronic transmission of results, to ensure our electoral process is transparent and accountable. We also call on our Judiciary to actually be the hope of the common man and be bold and quick in giving judgements on issues that are of national interest and have bearing on interpretation of our constitution, like the case of the ability of the President to declare a state of emergency in Rivers State and remove an elected Governor and serving State House of Assembly Members.

International Day of Democracy/ ActionAid Nigeria Demands Good Governance

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NAF airstrikes neutralise bandit hideout in Chikun in Kaduna

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NAF airstrikes neutralise bandit hideout in Chikun in Kaduna

By: Zagazola Makama

Nigerian Air Force (NAF) aircraft have carried out a precision strike on a notorious bandit hideout in Kunti, within Sohon Gaya community of Chikun Local Government Area, Kaduna State.

Zagazola learnt that the operation followed credible intelligence reports of heightened bandit activities in the axis, with the criminals reportedly wielding sophisticated weapons, including assault rifles and heavy-calibre arms.

Sources confirmed that at about 1200hrs, two NAF helicopters were sighted conducting the successful strike on the location, which had been a source of terror to the surrounding communities.

In the aftermath of the air interdiction, friendly ground troops arrived the target area in Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) to secure the location, assess battle damage and mop up fleeing elements of the bandits.

The timely synergy between air and ground components ensured effective neutralisation of the threats while also restoring confidence among residents of Sohon Gaya community.

NAF airstrikes neutralise bandit hideout in Chikun in Kaduna

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Hilda Baci Concludes GWR Jollof Rice Attempt, Awaits Confirmation

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Hilda Baci Concludes GWR Jollof Rice Attempt, Awaits Confirmation

By Halima Abdulkadiri 

Celebrity chef Hilda Baci on Saturday successfully wrapped up her ambitious bid to set a new Guinness World Record (GWR) for the largest pot of jollof rice.

The reports gathered that Baci cooked approximately 200 bags of rice in a massive 22,619-litre pot, which measured six metres in both width and height. The cooking process lasted about nine hours.

She now awaits official confirmation from Guinness World Records on whether her feat will be certified as a new world record.

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