Don’t Judge Hilda Baci With The Same Parameters Used For Other Countries – Fr Kelvin Ugwu

Fr Kelvin Ugwu, a Nigerian priest based in Ghana, believes Chef Hilda Baci deserves more than a Guinness World Record for the longest cooking time by an individual.

The clergyman stated that the same criteria used to assess other countries should not be applied to Nigeria.

Baci broke Chef Lata Tondon’s record of 87 hours, 45 minutes in Rewa, India, in 2019 and set a new record of 100 hours.

Ugwu, who praised Baci, took to Facebook on Tuesday to argue that environmental factors such as a lack of electricity should be considered.

He added that the country’s inflation rate should not be overlooked.

The clergyman added that Baci should be recognized for her determination to overcome all obstacles in a state like Lagos and realize her dream.

He wrote;

It is my humble opinion that Hilda Bassey deserves more than just a Guinness record for the highest cooking marathon of 100hrs.

The parameters that are used to evaluate other cooks outside Nigeria, should not be the same for Nigerians cooking in Nigeria.

Guinness’ record will have to put into consideration what she did to ensure constant electricity for four days and nights. That in itself is a Guinness record.

How much is the cost of cooking gas? How much is the cost of ordinary plantain? All the items she used in cooking for four days, how much are they in Lagos compared to other places?

One may argue that she had sponsors, but the ability to even attract sponsors in a country where many sponsors are already looking for a way out is in itself another Guinness record.

Nigeria is hard. Lagos is harder. This was the Lagos that was asking non-indigenes to pack out and leave a few months ago. The ability to weather the storm, despite all opposing voices, and bring everyone together to, at least, temporarily, forget their tribes and religions and embrace our “Nigerianess”, is in itself another Guinness record.

For me, the biggest Guinness record which she should be awarded alongside the one she already has, is her ability to do all she did in Sanwo-Olu’s Lagos.