Nigerian Entertainment News: Onyeka Nwelue Criticizes National Focus — “Nigerians Are Cooking Rice While Others Win Nobel Prizes”
Nigerian author and filmmaker, Onyeka Nwelue, has ignited controversy across social media after questioning the country’s national priorities
His comments pit Nigeria’s recent obsession with food-related accomplishments against the backdrop of international academic and scientific achievements.
Questioning Nigeria’s Focus
Taking to his social media platforms, Nwelue expressed frustration that many Nigerians appear more invested in breaking culinary records than in pushing boundaries in education, science, or innovation.
“Nigerians are cooking rice while others are winning Nobel Prizes,” he remarked, in what many saw as a critique of the country’s celebration of large-scale cooking events.
His statement comes in the wake of popular chef Hilda Baci’s recent headline-making cooking marathons, including her Guinness World Record-breaking cookathon and her latest attempt to prepare the world’s largest pot of jollof rice.
Public Response: A Nation Divided
The reaction to Nwelue’s comments has been sharply divided online. Some users echoed his sentiments, emphasizing Nigeria’s limited progress in fields such as technology, science, and research compared to global counterparts.
Conversely, others defended the nation’s culinary triumphs, pointing out that food is an essential part of cultural expression and soft power. They argue that such feats help project Nigerian culture to a global audience and should not be dismissed.
Critics of Nwelue’s stance accuse him of downplaying the importance of arts, entertainment, and cultural achievements — key pillars in national identity and international recognition.
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