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

Published

3 years ago

May 15, 2023

Editor

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.

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.

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.

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.

Related Topics:Guinness World Records Longest Cooking Hilda Baci

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Edo NLC Crisis: Caretaker Committee Drags Rival Exco, Govt To Court

Published

2 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The division in the Edo State Council of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), took a new dimension on Wednesday as Prof. Monday Monday Lewis Igbafen-led caretaker committee approached the National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Benin Judicial Division, seeking to affirm its authority and restrain a rival executive from parading itself as the council’s leadership.

Joined in the suit are the Edo State Government, the Commissioner for Labour and Productivity, and the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice.

In a suit marked: NICN/BEN/12/2026, and filed before the court in Benin, the claimant, Igbafen, acting for himself and on behalf of the NLC Caretaker Committee in Edo State, is challenging the continued occupation of the union’s secretariat and control of its assets by members of the Bernard Egwakhide-led factional State Executive Council.

The claimants are asking the court to declare that the caretaker committee (Igbafen-led faction), constituted on August 11, 2025, by the NLC national leadership, remains the only lawful authority to administer the affairs of the Edo State Council pending fresh elections.

They further seek a declaration that the continued occupation of the NLC secretariat located at No. 1 Teboga Road, Benin City, as well as the retention of union assets, financial records, and official instruments by the defendants, is illegal and void.

The suit also prays for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from parading themselves as officials of the NLC Edo Council or interfering with the functions of the caretaker committee.

In addition, the claimants are seeking a mandatory order compelling the defendants to immediately hand over the secretariat, vehicles, financial documents, cheque books, and all other properties belonging to the union.

The caretaker committee further urged the court to restrain the state government and its officials from interfering in the internal affairs of the union, alleging undue support for the dissolved executive.

The claimants further demand N50 million as general and exemplary damages against the defendants for alleged unlawful usurpation of office and acts prejudicial to the administration of the council.

According to court documents made available to our correspondent, the crisis followed the dissolution of the Edo State Council by the NLC National Executive Council on February 27, 2025, over allegations of misconduct, anti-union activities, and constitutional violations.

However, the matter has yet to be assigned a hearing date.

News

Transfer: Premier League Clubs Scramble For Dele-Bashiru

Published

7 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

Lazio midfielder, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru is a subject of interest from three Premier League clubs, according to Sky Sports.

Lazio reportedly rejected offers from Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth for the Nigeria international in January.

La Biancolesti are bracing for more interest in Dele-Bashiru ahead of the summer transfer window, according to Sky Sports.

The 24-year-old has two years left on his contract with the Serie A club.

The attacking midfielder joined the Rome-based club from Turkish Super Lig outfit Hatayspor in 2024.

He has been a regular feature for Lazio this season.

News

Xenophobic Attacks: Nigerian Students To Picket MTN, MultiChoice, Other Businesses

Published

8 hours ago

May 6, 2026

Editor

The leadership of the National Association of Nigerian Students, NANS South-West Zone D, has announced plans to picket South African companies in Nigeria following the ongoing xenophobic attacks in the country.

DAILY POST reports that some Nigerians were recently killed in South Africa over the violent attacks.

A statement issued to newsmen by Comrade Adeyemo Josiah Kayode, Coordinator, NANS South-West, Zone D, said that the association is mobilizing to take decisive and lawful action by organizing peaceful picketing and mass advocacy against South African business interests operating in Nigeria.

“We categorically state that the continued targeting of Nigerians under any guise is unacceptable and must come to an immediate end.

“This will include major corporations such as MTN Group and MultiChoice Group. It is morally indefensible for businesses to thrive in an environment where the lives of Nigerians are protected, while Nigerians are subjected to fear and violence elsewhere.

“This contradiction will no longer be tolerated,” the statement said.