President Muhammadu Buhari, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, governor of Lagos state, and Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala are among the prominent figures who congratulated Hilda Baci on her recent feat.
On May 11, Hilda Bassey Effiong, the Nigerian chef, embarked on a four-day cook-a-thon to set a new world record for the longest cooking marathon.
Baci achieved the feat in the early hours of Monday at the Amore Gardens, Lekki in Lagos.
The Nigerian chef made history after cooking for more than 87 hours and 45 minutes, breaking a record that was previously set by India’s Lata Tondon back in 2019.
The feat has continued to attract accolades for Baci with prominent Nigerians also congratulating the chef on social media.
In a statement by Femi Adesina, the presidential spokesperson, Buhari lauded the young culinary expert for “making history and placing Nigeria in the global spotlight.”
The president said he believes Baci’s “drive and ambition have brought more interest and insight into the uniqueness of Nigerian food.”
“I share the immense joy of all Nigerians as Hilda Bassey Effiong (Hilda Baci) makes history by breaking the world record for longest cooking marathon. A great day for Nigeria. We’re all very proud of what she has personally accomplished—and placing Nigeria in the global spotlight,” the statement reads.
“Hilda’s drive, ambition and resilience have brought great interest and insight into the uniqueness of Nigerian food. She is now a cultural icon, and I believe that this feat will inspire many more young people, in Nigeria and beyond, to follow in her footsteps.”
I share the immense joy of all Nigerians as Hilda Bassey Effiong (Hilda Baci) makes history by breaking the world record for longest cooking marathon. A great day for Nigeria. We're all very proud of what she has personally accomplished—and placing Nigeria in the global spotlight pic.twitter.com/X69PadrjxV
— Muhammadu Buhari (@MBuhari) May 15, 2023
On her part, Okonjo-Iweala, director-general of the World Trade Organisation (WTO), hailed the chef for breaking the world record with the “can-do spirit of young Nigerians”.
Congratulations to Hilda Effiong Bassey a young entrepreneurial Nigerian who had a vision to enter the Guinness Book of World Records through a marathon cookaton! She has done it with the can do spirit of young Nigerians!!
— Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (@NOIweala) May 15, 2023
Huge congratulations to Chef Hilda Baci on breaking the Guinness World Record for the longest hours spent cooking.
I had the privilege of visiting and tasting her amazing dishes yesterday. The flavor, passion and dedication she puts into her work are unparalleled.
Hilda,… pic.twitter.com/bjLOJbXKbo
— Babajide Sanwo-Olu (@jidesanwoolu) May 15, 2023
“Huge congratulations to Chef Hilda Baci on breaking the Guinness World Record for the longest hours spent cooking. I had the privilege of visiting and tasting her amazing dishes yesterday,” Sanwo-Olu wrote.
“The flavor, passion and dedication she puts into her work are unparalleled. Hilda, you’ve made Lagos proud and your accomplishment is a testament to the Nigerian spirit.”
Atiku Abubakar, former vice president of Nigeria, earlier praised the chef for inspiring millions with her strength.
Some celebrities like Dremo, IK Osakioduwa, Eni Adeoluwa, Timini Egbuson, Liquorose, Tiwa Savage, Spyro, Charles Okocha, and Skiibii also visited the venue of the competition to cheer up Hilda.
Below are more congratulatory messages:
The overwhelming support our dear Hilda enjoys from Nigerians of diverse ethnic & religious backgrounds, is a testament to the fact that what binds us together will always be greater than what drives us apart
We're super proud of you, Hilda💪
Congratulations Queen!
#100hrs pic.twitter.com/QXV1dDqqUa— Dr Olusegun Mimiko (@Segunmimiko) May 15, 2023
To the incredible record breaking Hilda Baci and her team, we say a very big: pic.twitter.com/znxgyEfnfn
— Netflix Nigeria (@NetflixNaija) May 15, 2023
Game changers dare to dream. They are record breakers. Clear the road for a #GameChanger ! Odogwu nwanyi. Well done, Hilda Baci. Daalu so. pic.twitter.com/69GqOXpi8T
— Flavour of Africa (@2niteFlavour) May 15, 2023
I extend my sincerest congratulations to Hilda for her remarkable achievement.
This serves as evidence of what we can achieve with unwavering determination and tenacity.
She is an inspiration, and we applaud her on this momentous milestone. pic.twitter.com/eoJTzuKnUO— Gbadebo Rhodes-Vivour (@GRVlagos) May 15, 2023
Got into Heathrow and saw ‘Record Broken’ Congratulations Hilda pic.twitter.com/djXokjRcd8
— Aisha Yesufu (@AishaYesufu) May 15, 2023
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
Hilda has broken the record. Congratulations Hilda ❤️ she’s about to set a new record 😍🥰
Go Hilda Go Hilda Go pic.twitter.com/VYF96N6Pee
— Pamilerin Adegoke (@UnclePamilerin) May 15, 2023
Congratulations to Chef Hilda Baci – for not only breaking the Guinness record but for setting the new one. The sky is the limit #Hildabaccicookathon pic.twitter.com/YuvEt5FzQh
— Gesare Chife (@gechife) May 15, 2023
