Dana Airline says it will support Guinness World Record -breaking chef, Hilda Baci with one year free tickets.

Report says that this was announced on Dana Air Twitter handle @DanaAir .

Ememobong Ettete , the Chief Operating Officer of Dana Airline said the proud Nigerian brand would always support the creativity, efforts and innovation of Nigerian youths.

” We have always blazed the trail in terms of support for the arts and entertainment industry, health care and culture.

“We will be supporting Hilda’s local travels for one year and we are inspired by her.

“We will be supporting her Mum also with three months of local flights for free and we thank her for giving us an amazing daughter,“ it read.

The 27 -year -old Hilda Bassey Effiong, known as Hilda Baci started cooking on Thursday May 11, to surpass India’s Lata Tondon who set the record in 2019 with 87 hours 45mins 00 seconds. Baci started her career as a chef in 2020 with her brand as @Myfoodbyhilda.

She embarked on a journey to break the Guinness World Record for longest cooking marathon on May 11 at Amore Gardens Lekki, Lagos Nigeria and ended it on May 14 .

Baci surpassed the current world record for the longest cooking marathon by an individual with 100 hours, to break the Guinness World Record for longest cooking hours.

The show was life streamed on multiple social media channels where she made over 250 recipes. (NAN)

Spotify, a global online streaming platform has announced Ghanaian singer, Baaba J as its EQUAL Africa artiste for the month of April.

Phiona Okumu, Spotify’s Head of Music for Sub-Saharan Africa disclosed this in a statement on Friday, in Lagos.

Okumu said Baaba J was a rising Ghanaian star whose unique blend of Soul, Pop, Rap, and Alté created an innovative sound that pushed boundaries and challenged traditional music genres.

She said her music featured lyrics in English, Ga, and Pidgin that were precise and poetic.

” For April, music streaming platform, Spotify has recognised Baaba J’s talent by naming her the Spotify EQUAL Africa artiste for April.

” EQUAL is Spotify’s programme that seeks to spotlight and amplify the voices of African female artistes, breaking down barriers and making waves in music.

” Through our collaboration with diverse and talented artistes like Baaba J, we are dedicated to amplifying underrepresented voices and breaking down barriers in the music industry.

” We hope that by shining a light on their unique perspectives and experiences, we can inspire a new generation of creators and listeners alike,” she said.

Okumu noted that Baaba J’s lyrics were sprawling and innovative, touching on themes of love, heartache, and the desire to belong.

According to her, Baaba fearlessly mixes piercing personal reflections with metaphors, singing in Ga and Pidgin to emphasise her point that one has to constantly march to the beat of their own drum.

” Her passion for music began as an escape from the monotony of everyday life, and it has evolved into a powerful force connecting her with music lovers.

” Her remarkable 2020 five-track ep Lumumba Street unearthed love, grief, heartache and the desire to belong amid a burning patchwork of Soul, Pop, Rap, and Alte.

” The project’s lead single, Tomboy, whose video she co-directed, is a powerful anthem of self-confidence and empowerment.

” Baaba J has delivered stellar performances on platforms such as the Accra Indie Film Festival, The Crusade, and The MiM Life Concert.

” She was also part of the Ghanaian creatives who met the Vice President of the United States of America, Kamala Harris during her visit to Ghana at the Vibrate Space,” she said.

In her response, Baaba J said “I’m looking to a time in the near future where there would be more avenues and safe spaces for women to record music and begin their music journeys.

” More women producers, women-owned studios, and women transforming the music scene”. (NAN)

Some leisure spot owners in Abuja on Monday decried low patronage during the Easter festivities.

In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) they blamed the low patronage on economic hardship triggered by inflation, insecurity and cash crunch.

According to Istifanus Nanu, the Manager, Taminus Garden, Asokoro, sales have significantly decreased compared to 2022.

“During the Easter period in 2022, we had more sales.

“This may be because there was cash available but this time around we are recording low patronage.

“I think the people are economising the cash they have,’’ Nanu said

Julius Eke, the Chief Executive Officer of Islands Bar and Lounge at Guzape, said that he observed a decrease in the number of customers.

“Customers are no longer coming as before and this did not just start with the Easter, we started observing the decline since the currency redesign was introduced,’’ Eke said.

On his part, Mr Fidelis Ehizoje, owner of a beer parlour in Karu, said that weekends when he usually made around 80 per cent in sales had seen a dramatic decrease to 60 per cent.

“The increase in the price of drinks and other things we sell here is not just the problem; the major problem we are facing is the price of diesel, fuel, and electricity bills ,” Ehizoje said.

“The increase in price in beers, wine, catfish and other things can be adjusted to the customer but the prices of diesel and fuel are taken from the company’s account which can ruin the business.

“More so, we are experiencing challenges with electronic transactions whereby some people come and buy things but cannot make electronic payment successfully.

“I want to urge the authorities to ensure that adequate infrastructure is in place to enable seamless electronic money transfer.

“This is important because it will help our business. Many customers lament lack of cash and this is affecting our sales drastically,’’ Ehizoje said.

Some customers blamed their irregular visit to leisure spots on inflation.

Mr Emeka Anosike, who said that he used to be a regular customer to leisure spots, expressed concern over the increasing cost of things.

He said “I like to visit the gardens to watch football particularly on weekends but the high cost of things is scaring me away nowadays.

“Previously, my brand of beer was N500 but now it is N700.

“I used to buy an average sized roasted fish for N2, 000, but the price has jacked up to N2, 500 and in some cases N2, 800.

“If the trend continues, the chances of visiting leisure spots would reduce,’’ Anosike said.

Another customer, Mr Sampson Salewa, said that in spite of the challenges, insecurity was a major factor that discouraged him from going to leisure spots.

“But with the improved security situation, I am comfortable going to leisure spots to unwind particularly during festive periods.

“You may have heard people saying a lot about the importance of tourism in many regards.

“When one elaborates on its economic effects, I am more interested in its impact on my life,’’ Salewa said.

According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the country’s headline inflation rate rose to 21.91 per cent in February 2023 compared to 21.82 in January, indicating an increase of 0.09 per cent.

The price of diesel also increased from about N600 per litre in 2022 to over N800 in some parts of Nigeria, putting unprecedented stress on the economy and threatening businesses in the country.

The report comes as Nigerians begin to witness relief after two months of naira scarcity occasioned by the naira redesign policy of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN). (NAN)