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Hilda Baci is a skilled chef who has built a successful food brand in Lagos.
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The Lagos-based chef is attempting to break a cook-a-thon record set in 2019.
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She has received an outpour of love from Nigerians who have been impressed by her incredible resilience.
Eko Hot Blog reports that political leaders across Nigeria have backed Hilda Baci, a chef based in Lagos State, to break and set a new World Record for cooking.
As of 7:12 a.m., Monday morning, she had spent more than 87 hours on her way to setting a new Guinness World Record for Marathon cooking.
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That means she has less than 9 hours to go to reach her target of 96 hours.
The Nigerian foodpreneur aims to break the Guinness World record of 87 hours, 45 minutes, and 00 seconds set by Chef Lata Tondon in Rewa, India, in 2019.
The four-day cooking marathon, which began on Thursday at 4 p.m., features celebrity visitations, networking, games and brand activations.
Here is how political leaders in the country have reacted to Baci’s mind-blowing effort:
‘IDAN BREAKS RECORDS’ – TINUBU
President-elect Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who is set to take over the reins as Nigeria’s number one citizen in 14 days, has shown support for Baci in her bid to set a new world record for cook-a-thon.
Tinubu took a screenshot from the chef’s Instagram Live on Sunday and wrote a message on it to show his support for the world record-chasing young woman.
“Idan doesn’t break, she breaks records. We’re rooting for you, Hilda,” he said.
‘INSPIRING MILLIONS’ – ATIKU
Former Vice President Atiku Abubakar joined millions of people backing Baci to set the new world record.
In a Twitter post, Atiku, a presidential candidate of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), admitted that her cook-a-thon is “no easy feat,” but he expressed confidence that her grit and passion will see her through.
He also described Baci as an inspiration to millions of Nigerians as she showcases the strength of the human spirit.
“We see you, Chef Hilda, standing at the crossroads of history, ready to carve your name in the annals of world records. This is no easy feat, but we believe wholeheartedly in your grit and your passion,” Atiku wrote on Twitter.
“You are inspiring millions by showcasing the strength of the human spirit. May your energy remain unbroken, for you are on the brink of making history. We believe in you. Nigeria believes in you.”
TRUE NIGERIAN SPIRIT OF RESILIENCE – PETER OBI
In a Twitter post on Sunday, Peter Obi, the presidential candidate of the Labour Party (LP), also hailed Baci’s resilience, which he described at the “true Nigerian spirit.”
Obi, who described the chef as an inspiration to many Nigerian youths, wished her well on her journey to set a world record.
“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,” he wrote on Twitter.
“I applaud her determination and focus on the goal, which is inspiring many Nigerian youths to live their dreams through hardwork and dedication.
“I wish her well on this noble journey to pen her name in the golden book of history.”
A SURPRISE VISIT
Meanwhile, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State, where the cooking is taking place, went a step further by cheering the foodpreneur at the event, currently being held at Amore Gardens, Lekki.
Sanwo-Olu stormed the event on Sunday in a show of support for Baci who was visibly pleased as the governor signals his approval of her effort.
The Akwa Ibom indigene and owner of My Food My Hilda Restaurant in Lekki had cooked for 68 hours when Sanwo-Olu stopped by to boost her morale.
Hilda’s mother, Mrs. Lynda Brown, and some family members were also around to support her.
Sanwo-Olu made a brief entry into the kitchen in order not to disrupt the event flow. During a chat with the governor, the chef offered a taste of some of the delicacies prepared, including Akwa Ibom’s traditional Edika Ikong and Egusi soup.
He witnessed the moment Hilda hit 69th hour in the kitchen, which was at exactly 1pm on Sunday. The show was being watched live across social media platforms.
Addressing the crowd, Sanwo-Olu said: “My presence here is to encourage a young talented citizen who has been making all of us proud. You can see the Nigerian spirit popping out from her; the resilient spirit that Lagos is known for. We can also feel the Akwa Ibom spirit.
“Hilda is a great inspiration and motivator displaying the values of our country. I wish her the strength and courage to finish well and break the global record. Having made history with the largest cupcakes, we are expecting to have another first for our country and State.”
FURTHER READING
The governor urged youths across the country, who had been cheering her on social media, not to relent in sending their wishes, stressing that the global record would be their collective win.
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