NEWS
Counselor Emerges Winner in Korean Cooking Contest
Mrs Patience Berepele, a gospel counselor has emerged winner in the final of the 2024 maiden edition of ‘Hansik'(Korean food) contest in Abuja on Saturday.The contest topic is :’Hansik (Korean food) based on Korean Traditional Jang (Fermented Sauces) Culture.The contest featured Korean foods such as Tteokbokki’, Ranyeon, Yukgaejang, Galbitane, Yakgwa, and Rice cracker.
The Korean cooking contest organised by the Korea cultural Centre in Nigeria (KCCN), featured 9 contestants consisting of one team of one and eight individuals. Berepele, who emerged winner in the cooking contest by beating one team of one and seven individuals, went home with a cash prize of N1millionVictor Mac-Adonai who came second went home with a cash prize of N700, 000 and Yahya Bindir who came third, took home a cash prize of N400, 000.Berepele, who is also a Minister of the gospel, said words were not sufficient for her to express her happiness for emerging the winner of the contest.She appreciated God for making it possible for her to get to the final of the competition that started in June to July.Berepele said words were not enough to describe her feelings, because it was a tough contest that all contestants put in their best.” 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 ,” she said.Berepele said that she put in so much in practicing at home ahead of the contest.” 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,” she added.She appreciated KCCN for giving Nigerians the opportunity to participate in the contest.” 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,” Berepele said.The winner prepared 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).Winners and contestants with the organisers Mr Victor Mac-Adonai, an engineering graduate, graduate who came second in the contest, expressed gratitude for the opportunity given to him to prove his ability.According to him, Auguste Gusteau, who he considered to be the greatest chef in world said ‘Anyone can cook’.He said that cooking is not for those who are strong-hearted and imaginative.“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.” 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,” he said.Mr Kim Changki, Director KCCN, said that KCCN coming up with Hansik (Korean food) programme for Nigerians was awesome.He said that the initiative had made them to know about Korean food culture.According to him, the initiative had brought synergy between Nigerians and Koreans in many aspects, especially in their food culture.He said that they were collaborating 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.The highlight of the event was a game, ‘Guess the ingredients ( Times and Fast Paced), K-food Trivia, Spicy Noodle ‘Mukbang’ challenge, Chopstick as well as K-pop dance performance.(NAN)
By David Torough, Abuja
The remains of elder statesman and President General of the pan-Igbo group, Ohanaeze Ndigbo Worldwide, Chief Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu, have been slated for burial on November 1.
Chairman of the burial committee, Senator Ben Obi, disclosed this at a news conference in Abuja on Thursday.
Alongside with the Secretary General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo, Amb Okey Emuchay and burial sub-committee chairmen, Senator Osita Izunaso, Gen.
Azubuike Ihejirika (retd) and others, Obi unveiled a series of activities culminating into the actual burial ceremony.“Our message today is to convey the dates for the burial of the President General of Ohanaeze Ndigbo.
“Lagos day of tributes, Wednesday 16th October 2024 at Eko Hotels and Convention Centre.
“Abuja Day of Tributes Friday 18th October, 2024 at the National Ecumenical Centre.
“Enugu Day of tributes, Saturday 26th October with a brief stop at Ohanaeze headquarters, 7 Parkland GRA Enugu while the main event will be held at the Okpara Square.
“Owerri Service of Songs Tuesday 29th October 2024. Commendation Service on 1st November in Owerri and Imo day of burial on Friday, 1st November 2024,” he said.
He added that further details will be communicated in due course.
On whether the Federal Government would participate in the burial, Senator Obi said the committee will visit President Bola Tinubu to intimate him about the transition of the statesman and details of his burial.
“We will be visiting President Tinubu to formally announce to him details of this transition and I am sure the President knows all that Chief Iwuanyanwu had done and he will do the needful,” he said.
Asked whether the late newspaper publisher had regrets about his inability to secure the release of Mazi Nnamdi Kanu and ensure the realization of a restructure federation, the Ohanaeze Ndigbo scribe said Chief Iwuanyanwu died a fulfilled man because he never shies away from doing his best in the circumstance.
“Chief Iwuanyanwu and I visited Kanu in jail and I think that was his last official assignment before his demise.
“Prior to that, he had never missed any opportunity to call for the release of Kanu.
“On restructuring, he never minced his words on equity, fairness and justice and he knew that he couldn’t do it alone.
“So he operated with the South-South PANDEF, Middle Belt Forum and Afenifere. He asked for parity in the number of states in each geopolitical zone.
“We in Ohanaeze will continue to pursue these issues that were very dear to his heart and we want to give the assurances that we will not fail,” Obi said.
President Bola Tinubu will not attend the 79th United Nations General Assembly session in New York this year.The President has thus directed Vice President Kashim Shettima to lead Nigeria’s delegation, Mr Bayo Onanuga, Special Adviser, Information and Strategy, said in a statement on Thursday.“President Tinubu, who returned to the country last Sunday after his trip to China and the UK, wants to focus on domestic issues and address some of the country’s challenges, especially after the recent devastating flooding.
“At UNGA 79, Vice President Shettima will deliver Nigeria’s national statement to the General Assembly, attend important sideline events, and hold bilateral meetings,” said the statement.The high-level General Debate, with the theme, “Leaving no one behind: Acting together for the advancement of peace, sustainable development and human dignity for present and future generations,”will run from Sept. 24, to Sept. 28. (NAN)
The National Examinations Council, (NECO) has released the June/July 2024 Senior School Certificate Examination results (SSCE), with 60.55 per cent of candidates securing five credits and above in English Language and Mathematics.
The Registrar of NECO, Prof. Dantani Wushishi, disclosed this while addressing newsmen at the NECO headquarters on Thursday in Minna, Niger.
Wushishi said that a total of 1,376,423 candidates, representing 706,950 males and 669,473 females, registered for the exam.
The registrar said that 1,367,736 candidates sat for the examination, representing 702,112 Males and 665,624 females.
He said that 828, 284 candidates had five credits and above, including English and Mathematics, representing 60.
55 per cent.Wushishi said that the number of candidates with five credits and above, irrespective of English and Mathematics, were 1,147,597, representing 83.90 per cent.
He said that there was a great reduction in the number of examination malpractices this year compared to 2023.
“The number of candidates involved in various forms of malpractice in 2024 is 8,437 as against 12,030 in 2023, which shows a reduction of 30. 1 per cent,” he said.
The registrar, however, said that 40 schools were found to be involved in mass cheating during the examination.
” During the conduct of the 2024 Senior School Certificate Examination (SSCE), 40 schools were found to have been involved in whole school (mass) cheating in 17 states.
” They will be invited to the Council for discussion, after which appropriate sanctions will be applied.
“A school in Ekiti was recommended for de-recognition for mass cheating in two core subjects and 01 Science subject.
” Similarly, 21 Supervisors were recommended for blacklisting due to poor supervision, aiding and abetting, abscondment, extortion, drunkenness and negligence in 12 states,”said.
He urged candidates that sat for the examination to visit NECO website to access their results.
Wushishi said candidates can access their results on NECO website: www.neco.gov.ng using their examination registration number,” he said.(NAN)
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