News
How ‘Idan Hilda’ Broke Guinness World Record For Longest Cooking

Nigerian chef Hilda Baci has continued to command massive attention with her participation in this year’s Cookathon Guinness World Record.
The sociology graduate from Madonna University, Okija, has since her emergence on the scene continued to prove her worth to the world.
Hence The PUNCH has decided she is worthy of being referred to as ‘Idan’, a slang which is a synonym for a person who achieves a difficult feat or a person who possesses the power of discernment.
READ ALSO: BREAKING: Nigerian Chef, Hilda Baci, Surpasses Previous Cooking Marathon Record Holder
Her journey to owning the ‘Idan’ title
As earlier stated in a previous article, the term Idan also celebrates individuals who prioritise logical and rational thinking in decision-making processes.
Before her recent feat as a Guinness World Record holder, Hilda earned Nigeria its first national food bragging rights when she won the Jollof competition in 2021. Chef Hilda represented Nigeria against Chef Seyram Leslie Kumordzie of Ghana and emerged winner, taking home a whopping $5,000.
Speaking during an interview following her first major win, the Akwa-Ibom-born chef, acknowledged the power of discernment (Idan) playing a huge role in her prowess and win.
READ ALSO: N10.4 Billion Judgement debt: Senate indicts Malami-led Justice Ministry
According to Hilda, ”I’ve never had formal cooking training. My work is powered by vibes and the Holy Spirit. But I’ll probably train one day, mainly because I teach people. I’ll probably reach a point where I want to learn more so I have more to offer my students.”
On winning the jollof competition, Hilda added saying; ”I had a lot of sides, from stewed turkey to coleslaw to moi moi to a special green sauce. But I didn’t serve the moi moi because I realised it was a Nigerian thing. I didn’t want the blind judges to tell I was the Nigerian rep and let bias win.”
How Hilda Broke Guinness World Record For Longest Cooking
At 21, Hilda considered participating in the Guinness cook-a-thon but couldn’t due to finances. She soon came up with a plan to save enough for the competition. Five years later, working a full-time job at a fashion retail company, alongside acting, presenting cooking TV shows, and hosting a talent show — MTN Yello Star in 2020, Hilda was finally ready to participate in the Guinness World Record cook-a-thon challenge.
READ ALSO: Subsidy: Nigeria Spends N50bn Daily To Service The Rich
The cook-a-thon required that the Chef prepared 80 recipes, which could be repetitive, for four days and four nights. Hilda is aiming for a 96-hour mark to be completed by 4 pm, May 15, 2023.
On how she prepared for the cook-a-thon before the competition started, Hilda noted that she spent the last week resting a lot. ”I’ll need all my strength to cook non-stop for four days. But last, I enjoy cooking, so I hope I’ll have fun with it.”
So far, the young chef has prepared 35 sides, soups, cold dishes, and sauces, mostly Nigerian cuisine, and has 92hrs of marathon cooking under her apron.
News
DSS Arraigns Sowore Over Anti-Tinubu Post

The Federal Government is set to arraign human rights activist Omoyele Sowore on a five-count charge for allegedly posting false statements about President Bola Tinubu intended to cause a breakdown of law and order, court papers show.
Sowore was sighted at the Federal High Court in Abuja on Tuesday ahead of the arraignment.
The suit dated 16th September,2025, was lodged after Sowore allegedly refused to delete the controversial posts about the President.
The Sahara Reporters publisher was accused of using his official X handle to make the post, “This criminal @ official PBAT Actually went to Brazil to state that there is no more corruption under his regime in Nigeria. What audacity to lie shamelessly!”
READ ALSO:DSS Sues Sowore, X, Meta Over Anti-Tinubu Post
The alleged offending post, said to be contrary to Section 24(2) (b) of the Cybercrimes Prohibition and Prevention Act 2024, was said to have been made on August 25 within the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court.
The charges were brought on behalf of the DSS and the Federal Government by M.B. Abubakar, Director of Public Prosecutions at the Federal Ministry of Justice, alongside four other counsel to the DSS –M.E. Ernest, U.B. Bulla, Dr. C.S. Eze, and E.G. Orubor.
Social media companies X Inc. and Meta Platforms Inc. are listed as co-defendants.
Confirming the legal action in a Facebook post last week, Sowore wrote, “The State Security Service, alias @OfficialDSSNG today filed a 5-count charge at the Federal High Court in Abuja against ‘X’ (formerly Twitter Facebook, and myself. They claimed that because I called Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu a criminal, I have somehow committed a set of ‘novel’ offences they invented and spread across five counts.
READ ALSO:DSS Gives X Ultimatum To Pull Down Sowore’s Tweet
“It’s hard to believe there’s anyone sensible left in these offices that should be making Nigeria work. Regardless, I will be present whenever this case is assigned for trial. #RevolutionNow.”
Recall that the human rights activist and African Action Congress candidate in the 2023 election vowed not to delete the controversial tweet, despite a request from the DSS to X demanding its removal.
Restating his stance, Sowore wrote, “This morning, X (formerly Twitter) officially contacted me about the despicable threat letter they received from the lawless DSS over my Tweet on Tinubu. One option I will NOT be taking is deleting that Tweet. Thank you, @X.”
News
Lagos Opens Portal For Teaching Job Applications

The Lagos State Universal Basic Education Board has opened its official application portal for teaching positions across the state.
In a statement signed on Monday by the Executive Chairman of LASUBEB, the board said the recruitment exercise, approved by Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu, targets qualified candidates willing to contribute to the delivery of quality education in Lagos State.
The statement partly read, “This is a unique opportunity for NCE holders, B.A (Ed), B.Sc (Ed), B.Ed, HND+PGDE, BA+PGDE, and B.Sc+PGDE graduates to build a career in teaching and contribute meaningfully to qualitative service delivery in the State.”
READ ALSO:FG Specifies TRCN, NTI’s Roles In Teaching Profession
According to the commission, applicants are required to submit applications strictly online via https://subebjobs.lagosstate.gov.ng.
The statement warned that physical submissions would not be entertained and stressed that the board has not authorised anyone to collect money for the exercise, which is completely free.
It stated that the documents for application include, O’ Level Certificate (WAEC, NECO, NABTEB), Degree Certificate or NCE Certificate, and NYSC Discharge or Exemption Certificate, as applicable.
READ ALSO:Job Seekers Protest Alleged Fake Employment Letters For Ondo Teaching Jobs
The board also noted that notifications or statements of results issued beyond two years would not be accepted.
“LASUBEB has not engaged or authorised any individual or group to collect money for this exercise. The application is absolutely free.
“Closing Date: The portal will close on 14th October, 2025,” the statement concluded.
News
FG Approves New NYSC Mandatory Regulations

President Bola Tinubu has approved the compliance with the National Policy for the Nigeria Education Repository and Databank (NERD) a mandatory requirement for mobilisation into or exemption from the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC).
The provides that, effective from Oct. 6, no Nigerian graduate – whether from a Nigerian university, polytechnic, college of education, or an overseas institution would be mobilised for or exempted from NYSC without proof of NERD compliance.
This directive was contained in a circular issued to all Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs) by Sen. George Akume, Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF) on Sunday in Abuja.
The directive does not, however, affect serving Corps members or those enrolled before the enforcement date.
Akume said that the compliance directive was to convey the approval for the adjustment of “NYSC mobilisation criteria in accordance with the President’s regulation requiring proof of NERD Policy compliance for all prospective Corps members, regardless of where they were educated.”
READ ALSO:NYSC Reiterates Provision Of Community Development Services (more…)
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