Connect with us

News

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

Published

on

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.

Advertisement

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

Advertisement

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.

Advertisement

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.”

Advertisement

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

Advertisement

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.

Advertisement

 

Advertisement

News

Edo Sports Commission Boss Celebrates Okpehbolo On Birthday

Published

on

The Executive Chairman of the Edo State Sports Commission, Hon. Amadin Desmond Enabulele, has felicated with Governor Monday Okpebholo, on the occasion of his birthday.

In a statement issued on Friday by his Media Officer, Edoko Wilson Edoko, Enabulele Okpebholo as a visionary leader whose dedication to the growth and development of the state has continued to inspire confidence and admiration across all sectors, especially sports.

Advertisement

Enabulele, who highlighted the governor’s unwavering commitment to youth empowerment through sports development, noted that under his leadership, Edo State has witnessed significant strides in grassroots sporting initiatives and infrastructure.

READ ALSO: Enabulele Confident Of Team Edo’s Success At 2025 NYG

His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo, is not just a political leader but a beacon of hope for the younger generation.

Advertisement

“His passion for excellence and inclusive governance is evident in the way he has continued to support policies that uplift our youths and promote sporting excellence,” the statement read.

The Executive Chairman prayed for long life, good health, and continued wisdom for the governor as he steers the affairs of the state towards greater prosperity.

“On behalf of the entire Edo State Sports Commission, I extend our warmest birthday wishes to His Excellency at 55. May this new chapter of his life be filled with more accomplishments and divine grace,” he added.

Advertisement

Continue Reading

News

Oba Of Benin Suspends Palace Chiefs

Published

on

The Oba of Benin, Ewuare II, has suspended two of his chiefs for falling for dereliction of duties.

This was contained in a statement signed by the Secretary to the Benin Traditional Council (BTC), Frank Irabor and made available to journalists in Benin City.

Advertisement

He said their suspension was as a result of their long absence from the palace, resulting in their failure to carry out their palace responsibilities.

The suspended persons are: Chief John Igiehon, the Izuwako of Benin and chief Aimiukpomonyako Oghogho (Ebengho), the Oyenmwensoba of Benin.

READ ALSO: Oba Of Benin Suspends 67 Dukes

Advertisement

“The under-mentioned two (2) chiefs have been suspended from the Palace of the Oba of Benin.

“This is as a result of their long absence from the Palace, resulting in their failure to carry out their Palace responsibilities.

“The public is advised to be wary of unscrupulous chiefs that are no longer functioning in the Palace. His Royal Majesty has approved their _ Suspension and directed the public be duly informed. 

Advertisement

“The names of the chiefs are: – ; 1. CHIEF JOHN IGIEHON, THE IZUWAKO OF BENIN and, _ 2 CHIEF AIMIUKPOMONYAKO OGHOGHO (EBENGHO), THE OYENMWENSOBA OF BENIN”, the statement said.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

News

Lawyers Fault EFCC Statement, Say It’s Misleading

Published

on

Some legal practitioners in Bauchi state have faulted the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) official statement about their client on Wednesday, adding that it was erroneous, false and misleading.

It could be recalled that EFCC posted on its official Facebook handle that a Bauchi State High Court has cleared the commission to proceed with its investigation of a former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party in Bauchi State, Hamza Koshe, and his company, Pentech Engineering Nigeria Ltd.

Advertisement

According to the EFCC statement, the commission said Justice Aliyu Baba, in a judgment delivered on July 30, 2025, dismissed an application by Koshe seeking to restrain the EFCC and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission from probing him.

However, in a statement jointly signed and made available to newsmen in Bauchi on Thursday by Jibrin S. Jibrin Esq, M.M. Usman Esq, H.B. Pali Esq, Abbas Ibrahim Esq, I.G. Agwam Esq and Salome Audu Esq all counsel to Pentech Engineering Nigeria Ltd & Anor as well as Koshe insisted that the statement was misleading.

READ ALSO: EFCC Orders Arrest Of Dismissed Officer On Lege Miami’s Show

Advertisement

According to them, the EFCC owed the public the duty of relating only the truth of what the courts decided as regards the contract financing agreement in the issues their clients were parties.

“Our attention as the legal representatives of Pentech Engineering Nigeria Ltd & Alhaji Hamza Koshe in respect of suit No. BA/271/2024 has been drawn to the statement posted on the official page of the EFCC on Wednesday, where the Commission supposedly rendered an analysis of the judgement delivered by the High Court of Justice No. 4 Bauchi Presided by Justice Aliyu Usman on the 30th July 2025.

“Now against the background of the erroneous, false and misleading publication by the EFCC on the matter, we deem it necessary to set the records straight by stating what actually is the truth of the matter in terms of the enrolled judgment Order of the Court to which this press release is attached.

Advertisement

“It is proper to state as a fact that in an earlier judgement relating to the subject of this release, the verdict of the High Court of Justice No. 10 Bauchi presided by Justice M. M. Abubakar delivered on the 19th December, 2024 is to the effect that the Contract Financing Agreement the subject matter of the suit having been found to be valid and not contravening any law remains enforceable hence, Pentech Engineering Nigeria Ltd is accorded the applicable injunctive reliefs as regards the activities of the Commission.

READ ALSO: Things To Know About Procurement Fraud As A Nigerian – EFCC

“We state as a fact that the main question of law determined in Justice Aliyu Baba Usman’s judgment is to the effect that the Contract Financing Agreement the subject of the suit is valid.

Advertisement

“The EFCC failed to state in its statement in reference the fact that many parties and contractors concerned or involved in the Contract Financing Agreement in the issue have been invited by the Commission with virtually all of them responding, honoring its invitation on the matter and thereby discharging their legal obligation speak volumes of ‘the bidding of some’ which the publication seeks to achieve ab initio,” said the lawyers.

The counsel added that the mischief and deliberate misrepresentation in EFCC’s statement could be seen when not only did it make no mention of this fact but also created the impression that their clients went to Court to evade investigation on the matter.

They said that Koshe was a guest of the Commission having honored its invitation in September 2024 which he was released on administrative bail, the terms and conditions applicable to which he has been observing.

Advertisement

READ ALSO: EFCC Recovers Funds Lost To CBEX Fraud, Forfeiture Process Underway — Olukoyede

“It is also important to clarify as a fact that there is no truth at all in the Commission’s statement to the effect that our client sought a perpetual injunction of general nature against the Commission’s activities.

“The truth about the reliefs sought by our clients is as contained in the Court’s processes filed in the suit in reference.

Advertisement

“We challenge the Commission to provide evidence of where our client ever sought a perpetual injunction at large or of general nature against it or any other body duly established by law.

“We urge members of the public to disregard in its entirety EFCC’s statement on the subject and be guided in its stead by the facts as contained in the relevant court processes to which this release is attached,” he said.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending