Akwa Ibom State Governor, Pastor Umo Eno is committed to supporting Akwa Ibom indigenes in all sectors who strive to achieve great feats in their various professions.
This was the message delivered by a delegation from the State that was in Lagos to offer support to celebrity chef and restaurateur, Hilda Baci during her bold attempt to cook the largest pot of jollof rice.
Staged at the prestigious Eko Hotel & Suites, Lagos, under the banner “Gino World Jollof Festival with Hilda Baci,”; the event attracted more than 20,000 registered participants who trooped out to witness the historic moment.
Governor Eno said he was impressed by her audacity, tenacity and innovative thinking, noting that it was heart-warming that she did not rest on the oars of her first world record but was seeking another.
Represented by a delegation comprising Senior Special Assistant ( Lagos Liaison), Michael Effiong James, Ebenezer Eno and Hon Emmanuel Inyang, Chairman, Mkpat Enin LGA, Governor Eno stated that though he had wished the monumental event had held in Akwa Ibom, it was important to give her the necessary support to excel.
He noted that Akwa Ibom indigenes in all spheres of life should always strive for the top and the government would always recognise excellence.
The delegation went on to present Baci with a branded ARISE Agenda T-shirt and an ARISE Agenda pin to her mother, Lynda.
An elated Hilda Baci thanked the Governor for sending a delegation to support her and noted that the gesture would propel her to ensure she finishes her task and make the State and Nigeria proud.
Baci who shot into the limelight in 2023 after she shattered the Guinness World Record for the longest cooking marathon by an individual, clocking 93 hours and 11 minutes, said she nursed a new ambition: to elevate Nigerian cuisine by creating the world’s largest pot of Jollof rice.
According to her, she decided to cook the biggest pot of Jollof to celebrate Nigerian cuisine and give the county world recognition.
“This is not just a record attempt; it is a celebration of our culture. Importantly, the servings are free. This is about community and celebration rather than profit.”
After completing the task of cooking the 200 bags of rice into steaming jollof, which was served freely to members of the audience, she told the delegation that the certification process of her world record attempt has begun and it has now been confirmed that she is now a 2-time Guinness World Records holder.
