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‘How I forged GWR certificate’ – Ghanaian chef arrested for forging Guinness World Records award breaks silence

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Ebenezer Smith, the Ghanaian chef who claimed to have broken the Guinness World Records (GWR) for the longest cooking marathon by an individual, was arrested on Tuesday.

 

The cook, fondly called Millennium Chef Smith, was detained at the La police station in Accra for faking the GWR award.

 

Smith had publicly announced himself as the new world record holder, claiming he cooked non-stop for 802 hours and 25 minutes. He said he started the exercise on February 1 and ended on March 6, 2024 — about 33 days.

 

The Ghanaian chef also presented a certificate he claimed was given to him by authorities of the prestigious British reference book.

 

But on Wednesday, Alina Polianskaya, a GWR spokesperson, told BBC Pidgin that Smith’s claims were “not true”.

 

The spokesperson added that the certificate he presented “was not ours”.

 

“The current and true record holder for the longest cooking marathon (individual) is 119 hours, 57 minutes, and 16 seconds, achieved by Alan Fisher (Ireland) in Matsue, Shimane, Japan, from 28 September to 3 October 2023,” Alina said.

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The police arrested Smith following a disagreement with his sponsor, the Amadia Shopping Centre, Spintex, where he held his cooking marathon.

 

He was accused of breaching a contractual agreement by failing to inform the shopping centre about the alleged award.

 

The deception fetched Smith a chorus of condemnation on social media, with many Ghanaian users who supported his attempt, expressing shock and disappointment.

 

It, however, remains unknown if Smith has been released from detention or arraigned in court.

 

‘HOW I FORGED THE GWR CERTIFICATE’

“I have been following GRW for long. They (GWR) have a lot of certificates on their online pages. So I just picked one and edited it with my details,” Smith confessed in an interview with GHOne TV.

 

Narrating how he carried out the deceit, Smith said: “After Hilda Bassey did it, I have been thinking about it. And then all of a sudden I decided, after Afua did her sing-a-thon, I decided to make a step.

“Tracking the history has always been sequential, like numbers with the application reference. So I landed on the application reference of Adu Safoa. And then I built something for myself.”

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He also revealed that his assistant was not aware of his criminal act.

 

The chef said his sponsors spent more than GH¢300,000 on him, adding that he is ready to face any action from them.

 

“I can’t tell the exact amount my sponsors invested but it may be more than GH¢300,000,” he said.

 

“Words won’t be enough, at this point, I give my life out to my sponsors to do to me as they wish. I don’t even deserve to live because it’s too much for me to bear.”

 

Smith also apologised for his actions.

 

Alan Fisher, the Irish chef, is the current world record holder after cooking for 119 hours and 57 minutes.

 

Last November, the GWR certified Fisher as the record holder for the longest cooking marathon by an individual after he surpassed Nigerian chef Hilda Baci’s record of 93 hours and 11 minutes.

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Popular lewd lyrics musician St. Janet is dead

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The Nigerian entertainment industry was thrown into another round of  mourning on Sunday morning following the News of the death of popular lewd lyrics music act and Highlife musician, Iyun Janet Ajilore, better known as St. Janet.

According to publisher and socialite, Otunba Femi Davies, who announced her death in a post shared on his Facebook page, the St. Janet died on Saturday after a brief illness.

Davies wrote, “St Janet (Iyun Janet Ajilore), a popular Nigerian Juju and Highlife musician known for her vibrant live performances, energetic stage presence and socially unfiltered party tracks, is dead. She died after a brief illness on Saturday.”

St. Janet was widely celebrated for her energetic performances and unique style, which earned her a loyal fan base within Nigeria’s Juju music community and beyond.

Throughout her career, she became a familiar figure at social events and celebrations, captivating audiences with her lively stagecraft and party-themed songs that resonated with many music lovers.

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Her contributions to the Juju and Highlife genres helped cement her place among notable entertainers in the industry.

Since news of her death emerged, tributes have continued to pour in from fans, colleagues and admirers, many of whom have described her as a talented entertainer whose music brought joy to countless people and occasions.

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Osogbo stands still as cultural icon Ifáyẹmi Ọ̀ṣúndàgbonù Elebuibon marks 79th birthday in grand style

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The ancient city of Osogbo came alive on July 25 as renowned Ifa priest, scholar, and cultural custodian, Ifáyẹmi Ọ̀ṣúndàgbonù Elebuibon, marked his 79th birthday with a remarkable three-in-one celebration that drew dignitaries, traditional rulers, entertainers, and admirers from across the globe.

The event featured a grand birthday celebration, the dedication of The Ancient Philosophy International Event Centre and Ogbe Yonu Temple, alongside a housewarming ceremony and awards presentation in honour of the revered Araba Awo of Osogboland and Olú Ìṣẹ̀ṣe.

The event witnessed a strong presence of traditional rulers, including the Ataoja of Osogbo, Timi of Ede, Olufon of Orolu, and Alayemore of Ido Osun, alongside several other Obas who graced the occasion in honour of the Ifa icon.

The entertainment industry was also well represented, with veteran actor Chife Lere Paimo (Eda Onile Ola) leading the list. Others included Oyinda Duroladipo, members of the Association of Nigerian Theatre Arts Practitioners (Osun State chapter), filmmaker Amb. Kunle Afod, actress Toyin Adegbola, Oyin Adegbenro, and Olaniyan Tosin, among many others.

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The celebration also attracted notable socialites and cultural figures, including Chife Mrs Nike Okundaye (Nike Art Gallery), Chife Akintunde Ayeni (Yemkem), Olalekan Fabilola Masoyinbo, Tayo Bello (Wasere), Shina Ayomi Daniel (Oju Abuja), Tunde Daudu, Singapore, and several other prominent personalities who added colour and prestige to the occasion.

The political class was not left out, with the All Progressives Congress (APC) gubernatorial candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, in attendance. He was joined by Ibrahim Taofeek Kayode and other stakeholders who came to celebrate the global cultural icon.

Ifáyẹmi Ọ̀ṣúndàgbonù Elebuibon remains a towering figure in the preservation of Yoruba heritage. A writer, poet, linguist, and globally respected Ifa priest, his contributions to cultural scholarship and spiritual practice continue to resonate across continents.

With the unveiling of new cultural institutions and the overwhelming turnout of dignitaries, the 79th birthday celebration stands as a powerful testament to his enduring legacy and influence.

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Jubril Adewale Tinubu @59: Rich in Fortune, Richer in Humanity

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Adebayo Adeoye

There are men who announce their greatness with noise, and then there are those whose achievements speak so thunderously that fanfare becomes unnecessary. Jubril Adewale Tinubu — “Wale” to friends, family, and the many who hold him in deep admiration — belongs firmly in the latter category.

As he marks another year of a life lived with uncommon purpose and quiet distinction, it is only fitting that the world pauses, if only for a moment, to celebrate a man whose footprints are etched permanently on the landscape of Nigeria’s economic history.

Wale Tinubu’s journey reads like the kind of story that inspires a generation. Armed with a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Liverpool and a Master of Laws from the prestigious London School of Economics, where he specialised in International Finance and Shipping, he returned to Nigeria not merely to practise law, but to build an empire.

He began his career at the family law firm, K. O. Tinubu & Co., sharpening his instincts in corporate and petroleum law — skills that would later serve as the bedrock of something far bigger than anyone could have imagined.

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In 1994, with vision as his compass and tenacity as his fuel, he founded Ocean and Oil Group — a modest oil trading and shipping outfit that he would, over the next three decades, transform into Oando PLC, Sub-Saharan Africa’s foremost integrated indigenous energy group. It is the kind of achievement that defies easy description.

Forbes Magazine captured it best in its 2011 edition, crowning him “The King of African Oil” — a title that, even years later, sits comfortably on his broad shoulders. In 2007, the World Economic Forum in Geneva named him a Global Young Leader, placing him in the exclusive company of the world’s most consequential minds under the age of 41.

Yet, what truly separates him from the ordinary captains of industry is the humanity he brings to his enterprise. His leadership of Oando has never been merely about barrels of oil or bottom lines. It has been about people — about building local capacity, championing indigenous talent, and proving, with every quarterly result and every community touched, that African businesses can compete and win on the global stage.

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For the young Nigerian entrepreneur staring at a blank page and a bold dream, Wale Tinubu is living proof that it is possible.

Beyond the boardroom, his philanthropic instincts have left an indelible mark. Through the Oando Foundation, he has positively impacted over 500,000 Nigerian children through school adoption programmes, digital learning initiatives, and teacher training — a legacy that no balance sheet can fully capture.

In a world where success often breeds aloofness and privilege can create distance, Tinubu remains refreshingly accessible and profoundly humane. His interactions with people are marked by warmth, sincerity and a genuine interest in the welfare of others.

Whether dealing with friends, associates or even casual acquaintances, he has consistently demonstrated that true greatness lies not in the accumulation of material possessions but in the ability to uplift and inspire those around us.

Many who know him count themselves fortunate to have encountered him. Indeed, there is a recurring sentiment among those within his circle that destiny smiled kindly on them the day their paths crossed with his.

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Such is the effect of a man whose benevolence transcends social and professional boundaries.

At 59, JAT as fondly called stands as a compelling reminder that a life of impact is measured not solely by personal accomplishments but also by the positive difference one makes in the lives of others. His journey thus far reflects purpose, compassion and an abiding commitment to humanity.

On this occasion of his birthday, the tributes are many and deserved. He is being celebrated as “one of the significant contributors to Africa’s economic growth and development.” But perhaps the greatest tribute comes not from statesmen or magazine covers, but from the young entrepreneurs across the continent who look at Tinubu and dare to dream bigger.

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