Nigerian chef, Hilda Effiong Bassey, popularly known as Hilda Baci, is in the world of news for a proud reason.
Her name is currently a topliner across the social media space after cooking for more than 100 hours in an attempt to break a Guinness World Record for the longest cooking time.
Although Guinness World Records has not officially confirmed Baci’s effort, many have started congratulating her for surpassing the time set by Indian chef, Lata Tondon.
To my admiration, Baci has enjoyed the support of supposedly divided Nigerians, including political gladiators and celebrities, as everyone stood strong like a rock behind our Naija sister to become the ‘idan’ (a Yoruba word for a person who is a don) of cooking.
Former Vice President and the presidential candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the country’s 2023 election, Atiku Abubakar, who is challenging the outcome of the election in court, said in a tweet that Baci’s feat has made the nation proud.
‘A proud nation thanks you for cooking Nigeria into the Guinness Book of Records. Keep the sumptuous meals flowing’, he tweeted.
Congratulations, Chef Hilda🍴 ! A proud nation thanks you for cooking Nigeria into the Guinness Book of Records. Keep the sumptuous meals flowing 😄. -AA pic.twitter.com/BUp5Rl0czc
— Atiku Abubakar (@atiku) May 15, 2023
The winner of the election, Bola Tinubu of the All Progressives Congress (APC), also took to his Twitter space to congratulate the Nigerian chef.
I congratulate Hilda Effiong Bassey on her record-breaking achievement.
It was a remarkable display of the Nigerian can-do attitude and the spirit of excellence that lies within.
We are all deeply proud of her. pic.twitter.com/COnhsfDXFc
— Bola Ahmed Tinubu (@officialABAT) May 15, 2023
As for the candidate of the Labour Party (LP), Peter Obi, who is also in court to challenge Tinubu’s victory, he applauded Baci’s determination and focus on the goal.
The efforts being made by Hilda Effiong Bassey (Hilda Baci) to beat the current Guinness World Record for cooking for 4 days nonstop shows the true Nigerian spirit of hardwork and resilience. pic.twitter.com/s8UmOc12G4
— Peter Obi (@PeterObi) May 14, 2023
Baci is not new to cooking competitions and making Nigeria proud as she won the first edition of the Jollof Face-off contest in 2021.
Her feat and the overwhelming support she got from Nigerians say one thing: Nigerians can, indeed, be united in diversity.
As a people, what truly matters to Nigerians is making progress and getting a country that truly works for them.
The lesson, here, is that our leaders, both at the federal and national levels, must ensure that the interest of citizens is protected regardless of our ethnic, socio-economic, political and religious lines.
Congratulations to Baci!
