A Ghanaian chef, Ebenezer Smith, popularly known as Chef Smith, has been arrested and detained for fabricating a Guinness World Record for the longest cooking marathon by an individual.

Smith, at a press conference on Tuesday, announced himself on social media as the new world record holder for a purported 820-hour 25-minute cook-a-thon, from February 1, 2024 to March 6, 2024.

The Public Relations Executive for Guinness World Record, Alina Polianskaya, refuted the claims made by Smith in an interview with the BBC, saying, “No, this is not true at all. He does not hold the GWR title, and that is not our certificate.

“The current and true record for the longest cooking marathon (individual) is 119hr 57 min 16 sec and was achieved by Alan Fisher (Ireland) in Matsue, Shimane, Japan, from 28 September to 3 October 2023,” he added.

DAILY POST recalls that Irish chef Alan Fisher is the current record holder for the longest cooking hours, having clocked in 119 hours and 57 minutes, surpassing Nigerian chef, Hilda Baci.

A newly constructed two-storey building has collapsed at No 12 Cameroun Street off Ewenla in the Mushin area of Lagos State.

DAILY POST gathered that the incident occurred on Wednesday following the torrential rain which has triggered floods in many parts of the state.

The state emergency management agency, LASEMA confirmed the ugly development, saying at least seven persons were rescued and rushed to hospital.

The Permanent Secretary of LASEMA, Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu, told journalists that three females and four males were rescued.

According to the Agency, the rescue team “have searched the rubble and can confirm that there is no victim underneath the collapsed building. The area had been cordoned off”.

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has disclosed that the issue of releasing Nnamdi Kanu was not part of his discussion with the South East governors in Enugu State, on Tuesday.

The former President and Chief Emeka Anyaoku met with the governors on their own invitation to discuss regional development issues, and the purported plan release of Kanu by the federal government was not part of it.

A release by his Special Assistant on Media, Kehinde Akinyemi, on Wednesday, stated that the regional development issues include that of security and infrastructure.

Others were economic and cooperative/collaboration, which was meant to complement the national economic development agenda.

“The meeting with them was at my invitation and Chief Emeka Anyaoku before their summit begins.

“The issue of Nnamdi Kanu was not on the agenda and was not discussed in my presence,” Obasanjo was quoted as having said.

Kenya’s President William Ruto has directed a review of the proposed pay increase for politicians, recommended by the Salaries and Remuneration Commission (SRC).

The SRC’s proposal, announced earlier this week, suggested a 2-5% pay rise for all state officials, including politicians.

The recommendation sparked widespread criticism from Kenyans, who feel that the country’s financial constraints make it an inopportune time for politicians to receive a pay hike.

The public backlash prompted President Ruto to intervene, ordering a review of the proposal to ensure that it aligns with the country’s economic realities.

On Tuesday, Samuel Njoroge, clerk of the country’s National Assembly, told the People Daily newspaper that the SRC’s recommendation could not be overturned as it affected all state officers.

“The changes are normal salary reviews or increments in any organisation,” he was quoted as saying.

But Mr Ruto has asked the treasury to review the notice.

“The president has emphasised that this is a time, more than ever before, for the executive and all arms of the government to live within their means,” a statement by his spokesman said.

The Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN has called on Nigerians to stand strong against terror.

This is following the recent suicide attacks in Gwoza, Borno, northeast Nigeria.

CAN, in a statement signed by Archbishop Daniel Okoh, its President, said it was deeply worried by the recent suicide attacks.

DAILY POST reports that the incident has claimed numerous lives and injured many others.

“We are concerned about the resurgence of suicide bombing in our country and the threat it poses to the lives and livelihoods of Nigerians,” the association said.

“This senseless act of violence is a stark reminder of the evil that terrorism represents, and the need for collective action to defeat it.

“We commend the security agents who have been working tirelessly to contain the threat of terrorism in our country. We encourage them not to relent in their efforts, as every necessary intervention is welcome to prevent a relapse into the dark days of suicide attacks. We must not let down our guards, as the situation could escalate and affect not only innocent lives but also worship centers and other large gatherings.

“The attacks in Gwoza are a stark reminder that terrorism is a threat to our collective humanity. Innocent lives were lost, and it could have been anyone – a family member, a friend, or a neighbour. We must come together to condemn this evil and support the efforts of our security agents to keep us safe.

“We call on the government to intensify efforts to ensure the security and safety of all citizens, particularly in vulnerable regions. We also urge religious leaders and Nigerians to unite against terrorism and violence, promoting peace, love, and harmony.

“We pray for divine comfort and intervention in this difficult time. May God grant the families of the victims the fortitude to bear their loss, and may we all remain united in our quest for peace and security. We will continue to support the efforts of our security agents and work together to build a safer and more peaceful Nigeria for all.

“Let us remember that we are not alone in this fight against terrorism. We stand in solidarity with all those who have been affected by this evil, and we will continue to work together to ensure that it does not prevail. May the souls of the departed rest in peace, and may God bless Nigeria and keep us safe.”

Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Olisa Agbakoba, has warned that a "hunger riot" may soon erupt in Nigeria if the Federal Government does not take swift action. Speaking to journalists on Tuesday at his office in Ikoyi, Lagos, Agbakoba highlighted the extreme poverty that has left many Nigerians unable to afford basic food.

Despite Nigeria's vast oil and gas resources, Agbakoba noted that these have been largely controlled by foreign interests, leaving the local population in dire straits. He cautioned that if the government fails to address this issue, widespread protests could ensue, with people potentially resorting to theft in broad daylight to feed themselves.

"Hunger riots can occur anytime in Nigeria," Agbakoba stated, urging President Tinubu to restructure his cabinet and reduce the cost of governance. He argued that the current size of the cabinet, with over 40 ministers, is excessive and should be trimmed to no more than 20 ministries.

Agbakoba also recommended scrapping some government agencies and expanding the tax net, particularly targeting multinational oil companies accused of tax evasion. "Don’t increase taxes, just expand the tax net and go after defaulting IOCs," he advised.

The legal practitioner's warning comes amid rising food inflation in Nigeria, which hit 40.66 percent in May 2024. This marks a significant increase from 25.25 percent in June 2023, according to the latest Consumer Price Index and Inflation report by the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS). The report also noted that headline inflation climbed to 33.95 percent in May, up from 33.69 percent in April, reaching a 28-year high since March 1996 due to soaring food and transport prices.

Agbakoba emphasized the urgency of taking decisive actions to prevent the looming hunger riot and alleviate the economic hardship faced by many Nigerians.

The house of representatives has resolved to investigate the anchor borrowers programme (ABP) under the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Also, the lawmakers intend to probe the disbursement of N215 billion in loans by the Nigeria Incentive-Based Risk Sharing System for Agricultural Lending (NIRSAL).

The green chamber passed the resolution during a plenary session on Tuesday following the adoption of a motion sponsored by Chike Okafor from Imo state.

The ABP was launched in November 2015 to create a linkage between smallholder farmers (SHFs) and anchor companies involved in the processing of the required key agricultural commodities.

It was designed to provide farm inputs (in kind and cash) to SHFs to boost production of the key commodities, stabilise input supply to agro-processors and address Nigeria’s negative balance of payments on food.

In March 2023, the CBN said a total of N1.09 trillion had been disbursed through the ABP since its inception in 2015.

While moving the motion, Okafor claimed that the funds intended for agricultural development in the country have been misappropriated, resulting in “food scarcity and malnutrition”.

“The federal government through various schemes and interventions in the last in eight years have spent over two trillion naira in funding agricultural interventions with the view of making food available for millions of Nigerians, but due to the alleged mismanagement, misapplication of funds and abuse of the programmes, Nigeria is still experiencing food scarcity and malnutrition,” the lawmaker said.

“The reports and allegations of abuse, mismanagement, and misapplication of government intervention funds earmarked for agricultural development and food security initiatives in Nigeria through the CBN’s ABP disbursed about N1.12 trillion to 4.67 million farmers involved in either maize, rice or wheat farming through 563 anchors.

“NIRSAL disbursed N215,066,980,274.52 so far to facilitate agriculture and agrobusinesses. The Bank of Industry (BOI) disbursed N3 billion to 22,120 smallholder farmers through the agriculture value chain financing (AVCF) programme. Additionally, the bank funded 49 agro and food processing businesses with N59.4 billion in loans.

“In 2023, the federal government unveiled a 5 billion Naira loan facility to the Bank of Agriculture (BOA) for livestock farmers across the country. The National Agricultural Development Fund in March of 2024, inaugurated a NI.6 billion recovery fund for the ginger blight epidegic central taskforce (GBECT) for the control of blight disease in ginger, among other interventions.”

According to Okafor, the funds were allegedly “misused, misapplied and channelled to non-farming and nonagricultural purposes”.

He said the agricultural sector plays a crucial role in ensuring food security, improving nutrition, and supporting the livelihoods of millions of Nigerians, and any abuse of the programmes drastically affects millions of innocent citizens.

The motion was adopted when it was put to a voice vote by Benjamin Kalu, deputy speaker who presided over the plenary.

Consequently, the house mandated the relevant committees to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the alleged misuse of government interventions and agricultural funding and report back within four weeks for further legislative actions.

Yuki Gambaryan, wife of Tigran, the detained Binance executive in Nigeria, has asked the Economic and Financial Crimes (EFCC) to drop the charges against her husband.

On June 14, the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) dropped its tax charges against the Binance’s head of financial crime compliance.

In April, the anti-graft body had arraigned Binance Holdings Limited, a cryptocurrency firm, and Gambaryan, over allegations bordering on money laundering.

The company and its executive were arraigned on a five-count charge before Emeka Nwite, a judge at the federal high court in Abuja, on April 8.

In a statement on Tuesday, Yuki asked the EFCC to follow the steps of FIRS.

She said her husband and his family are finding it more difficult to deal with his continued detention.

“He is suffering immensely under the strain of this injustice. I respectfully urge the EFCC to follow the example set by their colleagues at the FIRS (tax authority) and drop the charges against Tigran,” she said.

“As I have stated many times before and as the evidence in court is showing, Tigran has never been a decision-maker at Binance, and there is no justification for his continued detention.

“It is time for the Nigerian authorities to do the right thing and release my innocent husband. This situation has gone too far.”

According to the statement, Gambaryan’s health continues to “deteriorate in detention and he complained of numbness in his foot as well as back pain”.

“He has had double pneumonia and malaria whilst in prison,” Yuki said.

In the statement, Yuki said the federal high court in Abuja ordered Kuje correctional facility to release the medical records of Gambaryan — covering his visit to the hospital on June 3 — to his lawyers.

On Tuesday, the cross-examination of a witness from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) — the first witness presented by the EFCC in the ongoing trial of Binance and Gambaryan — was completed.

The trial has been adjourned to July 5.

Aliko Dangote, president of the Dangote Group, says the increase of interest rate to almost 30 percent by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) will stifle growth. 

Speaking on Tuesday during a three-day summit organised by the Manufacturers Association of Nigeria (MAN) in Abuja, Dangote said the country is battling “a very high” interest rate. 

In May, the monetary policy committee (MPC) of CBN raised interest rates from 24.75 percent to 26.25 percent

The business tycoon said he understands that the CBN aims to tame inflation by increasing interest rate.

“Right now, at 30 percent, there is no way anybody can create jobs. If the interest rate is 30 percent, there would not be any job creation because we are actually stifling growth,” he said.

“So, interest rates can remain at 30 percent but then no growth will happen unless that interest rate goes down.” 

‘DANGOTE CEMEMT AND TAXES’

The billionaire said Dangote Cement alone paid “more taxes” into the coffers of the government “than the entire banking industry” in 2023. 

Dangote also said protecting industries would not lead to monopoly, adding that it is common knowledge that foreign investors only enter the market when they see that local investors are also doing well.

“I am convinced that when government policy becomes more supportive and protective, investors will be more willing to collaborate and partner with the government in resolving other challenges such as infrastructure deficits, market instabilities and macro-economic issues such as inflation and foreign exchange volatilities,” he said.

The businessman reiterated that Nigeria has all it takes to develop and sustain a globally competitive manufacturing sector.

Dangote called for re-thinking of the country’s industrialisation policy, through learning from leading western and eastern countries that are actively protecting their domestic industries.