Obi said the efforts being made by Hilda Baci to beat the current Guinness World Record for cooking for four days nonstop shows the true Nigerian spirit of hard work and resilience.
By Emma Ogbuehi
Former Anambra State Governor and presidential candidate of the Labour party, Mr. Peter Obi, and Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, on Sunday hailed the efforts of a Lagos-based chef, Hilda Effiong Bassey (Hilda Baci), to emerge the world record holder in cooking.
While Sanwo-Olu, invoking what he called “Lagos spirit” made a surprise appearance at the venue of the cooking contest on Sunday, Obi took to twitter to eulogise the resilience of the chef.
“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,” Obi tweeted.
“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. –PO”
On his part, Sanwo-Olu made a surprise appearance at Amore Gardens in Lekki on Sunday afternoon to motivate and celebrate the talented Hilda Baci, who is making a global record in Longest Cook-a-thon contest.
Hilda Baci is challenging the current Guinness World Record set by an Indian chef, who made a global recognition in the craft, cooking for 86 hours in a stretch.
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The Akwa Ibom indigene and owner of My Food My Hilda Restaurant in Lekki, who has been nursing the dream to participate in the food contest for five years, is expected to surpass the cooking time to become a Guinness World Record holder.
The chef had cooked for 68 hours when Sanwo-Olu stopped by to boost her morale.
Mr. Gboyega Akosile, Sanwo-Olu’s Chief Press Secretary, in a statement on Sunday made available to TheNiche, said the Governor’s appearance generated spontaneous excitement among the crowd of youths who gathered at the garden.
Hilda’s mother, Mrs. Lynda Brown, and some family members were also around to support her.
The statement read in part: “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.
“The Governor 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.”
Sanwo-Olu 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.
Chef Hilda had cooked over 100 different meals served freely to over 4,000 youths who turned up for dinner at the garden.
The show is expected to wind up at 4pm on Monday when the chef would have made a new global record.