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GWR Confirms Hilda Baci’s Longest Cooking Record

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Hilda Baci longest cooking record

By Adedapo Adesanya

Guinness World Records (GWR) has now confirmed that Ms Hilda Effiong Bassey, better known as Hilda Baci, has officially broken the record for the longest cooking marathon (individual), with a time of 93 hours 11 minutes.

The 26-year-old Nigerian chef began on Thursday, May 11, and continued through to Monday, May 15, cooking over 100 pots of food during her four-day kitchen stint.

According to the official message from the body, Ms Hilda Baci attempted to set a record of 100 hours, however, almost seven hours were deducted from her final total because she mistakenly took extra minutes for one of her rest breaks early on in the attempt.

“As with all longest marathon records, the participant is permitted a five-minute rest break for every continuous hour of activity. These rest breaks can be accumulated if not taken. They were the only times Hilda could use the bathroom or sleep during the attempt.”

The previous record of 87 hours 45 minutes was set by Lata Tondon (India) in 2019.

According to Guinness World Records, Hilda prepared for the event by creating a 35-item menu “as a guide” for every meal that she would cook.

She ensured that she had the necessary ingredients to make each recipe, with her team procuring further food items while the cook-a-thon was underway “based on what was needed to be topped up,” it added.

Hilda Baci’s longest cooking record attempt took the world of social media by storm, with millions in Nigeria and beyond following her progress via an Instagram live stream.

The body noted that her cook-a-thon was so popular that its website crashed for two days due to the immense volume of traffic received from her fans.

Several high-profile Nigerian figures visited Hilda Baci to support her during her record attempt, such as the former Vice President of Nigeria, Mr Yemi Osinbajo; the Governor of Lagos State, Mr Babajide Sanwo-Olu; and award-winning singer, Tiwa Savage.

Speaking on her pursuit, the Madonna University graduate said, “My team’s, and my goal for this event was to make it free to all and to feed the less privileged.”

It was also revealed that each pot of food she cooked was big enough to serve 30-35 people, and “appropriate stock control was conducted” to avoid any wastage of food.

Adedapo Adesanya is a journalist, polymath, and connoisseur of everything art. When he is not writing, he has his nose buried in one of the many books or articles he has bookmarked or simply listening to good music with a bottle of beer or wine. He supports the greatest club in the world, Manchester United F.C.

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Renowned Sports Journalist Temisan Okomi Dies

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Temisan Okomi

By Dipo Olowookere

An ace sports journalist, Mr Temisan Okomi, has died after a brief illness, reports indicate.

The foremost broadcaster with Classic FM Lagos was said to have passed away in his sleep in the early hours of Friday.

Before his demise, he was active on X (formerly Twitter) on Wednesday, commenting on the UEFA Champions League match between Barcelona and Atletico Madrid, and even reposted a post from Classic FM.

His sudden death has thrown the sporting community in Nigeria into mourning, as he was very active and friendly with many of his professional colleagues.

According to reports, the deceased, a die-hard Arsenal fan, became sick midweek but breathed his last at the weekend.

The cause of his death has not been known as of the time of filing this report, but many have expressed shock over his passing.

“Temisan Okomi was full of life. He was intentional about putting young people on, and he played his part in helping to get a number of people’s careers started who have themselves gone on to do some extraordinary things.

“Life is what it is. He lived a full life and was never shy of taking a stand whenever he needed to.

“His passing comes as a rude shock. May his soul rest in peace. @temiokomi was one of us, and I wish he had stayed a little longer to witness his @Arsenal lift the EPL trophy. But God knows best,” Japhet Omojuwa said.

Mr Okomi, who graduated from the University of Uyo after finishing from the Nigeria Military School, Zaria, once presented a sports programme on LTV 8 with Mr Godwin Enakhena and Emeka Nwani.

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Dividends: A Must-Watch Series on Africa Magic

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Dividends africa magic

A new kind of story is unfolding on Africa Magic Showcase, and it’s one that feels all too familiar.

Dividends, a gripping Nigerian dramedy, dives into the emotional and financial fallout of a failed Ponzi scheme, placing everyday realities at the centre of its storytelling.

Premiered on March 30, 2026, Dividends airs Mondays to Wednesdays at 8:30 PM WAT on Africa Magic Showcase (GOtv Channel 8), and is also available for streaming on DStv and GOtv Stream, making it easily accessible for viewers to follow every twist as it unfolds.

At the heart of the series is “The Golden Bars,” a too-good-to-be-true investment scheme that ultimately collapses, leaving devastation in its wake. What follows is a layered narrative that tracks the lives of three strangers brought together by shared loss of money, stability, and, in many ways, identity.

Through its characters, Dividends explores themes that resonate deeply within the Nigerian context: the lure of quick wealth, the pressure to succeed, and the quiet resilience required to rebuild when everything falls apart. It’s a story that doesn’t just entertain, it reflects.

Leading the story is Riyo David as Isa, alongside a dynamic cast including Ronnie Dikko, Omattuteejames, Cassiee_jae, Floydigbo, and Koko_ashley, each bringing depth to a narrative shaped by ambition, desperation, and consequence.

Blending drama, suspense, and social commentary, Dividends sparks conversation. As the series unfolds, viewers can expect to be drawn into a world where choices carry weight, and every decision has a ripple effect.

For audiences looking for something both engaging and thought-provoking, Dividends fast becoming one to watch.

To upgrade, subscribe, or reconnect, download the MyGOtv App or dial *288#. For catch-up and on-the-go viewing, download the GOtv Stream App and enjoy your favourite shows anytime, anywhere.

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5 Best AI UGC Video Generators Tested

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Pollo AI

User-generated content (UGC) continues to shape how brands connect with audiences across TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts. However, producing consistent and authentic content at scale often requires significant time, budget, and coordination with creators. This is where an AI UGC video generator becomes a practical solution.

These tools allow marketers and creators to generate UGC-style videos using AI avatars, prompts, or templates—reducing reliance on traditional production workflows. Below are five of the best AI UGC video generator platforms in 2026, with Pollo AI leading the list for its ad-focused capabilities.

1. Pollo AI

Pollo AI is a specialized AI UGC video generator built for creating high-volume, user-generated style ads with minimal effort. It allows users to generate videos by adding a product link, uploading images, or simply describing the ad. There is also an option to upload a reference ad, making it easier to recreate successful formats or adapt viral video styles for new campaigns.

The platform supports a wide range of formats, including UGC ads, explainer videos, story videos, news-style clips, and music videos. It also enables users to clone video ads or replicate viral content patterns, which is useful for rapid creative testing. This flexibility helps teams produce multiple variations quickly without rebuilding content from scratch.

A key strength of Pollo AI is its lifelike AI avatars with accurate lip-syncing. These avatars simulate real creators, offering diverse demographics and natural delivery styles that make videos feel more authentic. Combined with built-in voiceovers and background music, users can easily produce polished UGC-style ads without hiring actors or influencers.

The workflow is straightforward: upload a presenter image, input a script, adjust video settings, and generate the final output in minutes. Many teams adopt solutions like AI UGC video generator with Pollo AI tools to scale campaigns efficiently while maintaining control over messaging and creative direction.

Key Features of This AI UGC Video Generator

  • Generate ads from product links, images, or prompts
  • Clone viral videos and replicate ad formats
  • Lifelike avatars with realistic lip-sync
  • Multiple formats including UGC ads and story videos
  • Built-in voiceovers and music customization

Best Use Cases

Pollo AI is well-suited for performance marketing, especially for brands running paid campaigns on TikTok, Instagram Reels, and YouTube Shorts. It works well for rapid A/B testing, influencer-style ads, personalized campaign creatives, and even as a YouTube outro maker to create engaging endings for video content.

2. Pika AI

Pika AI is a creative-focused AI UGC video generator that emphasizes visual storytelling and stylization. It allows users to turn simple prompts into short, engaging video clips, often with dynamic motion and artistic effects that resemble user-generated edits seen on social platforms.

The platform is designed for speed and experimentation. Users can quickly generate multiple variations of a concept, making it easier to test different creative directions. While the output may lean more toward stylized visuals than hyper-realistic UGC, it can still capture attention effectively in crowded feeds.

Pika AI also offers intuitive controls for adjusting motion, transitions, and overall tone. This makes it accessible for beginners while still providing enough flexibility for creators who want to explore unique visual styles.

Key Features of This AI UGC Video Generator

  • Prompt-based video creation
  • Strong visual stylization and effects
  • Fast rendering for short clips
  • Simple and accessible interface

Best Use Cases

Pika AI is suitable for meme videos, creative experiments, and short-form content designed to stand out visually on TikTok and Instagram.

3. Runway

Runway is a more advanced AI UGC video generator that combines AI-powered generation with professional editing tools. It supports text-to-video and image-to-video workflows, along with features like background removal and motion tracking.

The platform is particularly useful for users who want greater control over the final output. Instead of relying solely on automation, creators can refine details and adjust elements throughout the editing process. This balance between AI assistance and manual control makes Runway versatile across different skill levels.

While it may have a steeper learning curve compared to simpler tools, Runway delivers high-quality results suitable for more polished UGC-style content.

Key Features of This AI UGC Video Generator

  • Text-to-video and image-to-video generation
  • Advanced editing tools and controls
  • High-quality output
  • Flexible workflow for creators

Best Use Cases

Runway is ideal for branded campaigns, product videos, and UGC-style content that requires additional editing and refinement.

4. HeyGen

HeyGen is an avatar-driven AI UGC video generator focused on creating talking-head style videos. It allows users to input scripts and generate videos featuring realistic AI presenters with natural lip-sync and expressions.

The platform supports multiple languages and voice options, making it suitable for global marketing campaigns. Its structured workflow ensures consistent results, which is useful for businesses that need uniform messaging across multiple videos.

Although it is less flexible in terms of creative formats compared to other tools, HeyGen excels in producing clear, human-like communication in video form.

video generator tools

Key Features of This AI UGC Video Generator

  • Realistic AI avatars with lip-sync
  • Script-based video generation
  • Multi-language support
  • Consistent output quality

Best Use Cases

HeyGen works well for explainer videos, product introductions, and localized marketing content that requires a human presence.

5. CapCut AI

CapCut AI is a widely used AI UGC video generator that combines AI features with traditional video editing tools. It offers capabilities such as auto-captioning, background removal, and template-based editing tailored for social media content.

The platform is especially accessible, making it a popular choice for beginners and casual creators. Its templates are often aligned with trending formats, helping users quickly produce videos that match current content styles.

CapCut AI also integrates smoothly with social media workflows, allowing users to edit and publish content efficiently without switching tools.

Key Features of This AI UGC Video Generator

  • Easy-to-use interface
  • AI-powered editing tools
  • Pre-built templates for trends
  • Social media integration

Best Use Cases

CapCut AI is best for quick content creation, including TikTok videos, Instagram Reels, and short-form clips that follow trending formats.

Final Thoughts

Choosing the right AI UGC video generator depends on the user’s goals. Pollo AI is particularly strong for scalable ad production and campaign testing, while Pika AI focuses on creativity and visual experimentation. Runway offers advanced control, HeyGen specializes in avatar-based communication, and CapCut AI provides accessibility for everyday content creation.

As demand for UGC-style videos continues to grow, these tools offer practical ways to produce engaging content efficiently while adapting to different creative and marketing needs.

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