Nigerian celebrity chef and Guinness World Record holder, Hilda Baci, has explained why she opted to cook 200 bags of rice instead of the initially announced 250 in her latest bid to set a world record for the largest serving of Nigerian-style Jollof rice.
Baci, who shot to fame after her 2023 cook-a-thon, began the challenge on Friday at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos, drawing a carnival-like crowd of food lovers, celebrities, and dignitaries.
Among those in attendance were Nollywood actress Funke Akindele, dancer Kaffy, and Bamidele Abiodun, First Lady of Ogun State.
Addressing journalists at the venue, Baci explained that her decision to scale down was due to the 20,000kg weight limit of the crane and measuring device provided for the event.
“If you notice, when we started we weighed the pot and we need to weigh everything that goes into the pot when we’re done.
The goal was to hit about 17,000 to 18,000 kilogrammes including the pot. But since the crane can only weigh 20,000 kilogrammes, I had to go slightly below that. That’s why I cut it down by a thousand kilogrammes,” she said.
According to her, the 200 bags of rice produced 4,000kg of Jollof, which is enough to feed 20,000 people.
“This 4,000 kilogrammes of rice will still feed 20,000 people, so we’re still up there,” she added.
Baci revealed that the ambitious feat took almost a year of preparation and about nine hours of continuous cooking.
“Honestly, Gino and I figuring this whole thing out was hectic. It took Mr. Ayo two months to fabricate the custom pot, then nine months to plan the event. Cooking the entire meal itself took nearly nine hours,” she said.
Despite the stress, she described the challenge as both exciting and rewarding.
“We’re not done because we still have to distribute the food and make sure everybody here eats to their satisfaction. But so far, I’m very happy with what we’ve achieved today,” she noted.
Interestingly, Baci revealed that the idea was not originally conceived as a Guinness World Record attempt, but rather as a food experience for Nigerians.
“When I came up with this idea, I did not think about it as a world record, quite frankly. It was about bringing people together and feeding as many as possible. Some of you even came with your coolers,” she said with a smile.
“We’re feeding the nation,” she declared.
The London-based Guinness World Records also joined in the excitement, posting a video of the Lagos event on its 𝕏 handle.
“What’s cookin’? Best of luck to @hildabacicooks who’s attempting a new record for the largest serving of Nigerian style Jollof rice today,” it wrote.
This comes just two years after the body certified Baci’s record-breaking cook-a-thon in 2023, which earned her global recognition and inspired many young Nigerians to explore careers in the culinary industry.
A marriage can survive difficult times, financial struggles, and disagreements—but when trust disappears, the relationship begins to lose its foundation.
When a husband no longer trusts his wife, or a wife no longer trusts her husband, even innocent actions can become suspicious. A simple phone call becomes a question. Coming home late becomes an accusation. A private conversation becomes a source of fear and jealousy.
Lack of trust creates emotional distance.
It produces constant suspicion, arguments, insecurity, resentment, and sometimes secretive behaviour. Instead of feeling safe with each other, couples begin to feel like enemies living under the same roof.
Trust is not built by controlling your spouse, checking their phone every minute, or constantly demanding explanations. Trust is built through honesty, faithfulness, transparency, consistency, and keeping your word.
If trust has been broken, don’t pretend everything is fine. Talk about it. Admit mistakes. Forgive where possible. Set healthy boundaries. And be willing to rebuild what has been damaged.
Remember: love may bring two people together, but trust helps keep them together.
💔 Don’t allow suspicion to destroy what communication and honesty can repair.
BUILD TRUST. BE FAITHFUL. BE HONEST. PROTECT YOUR MARRIAGE.
“Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour.”
— Ephesians 4:25 (KJV)
A marriage can look beautiful on the outside and still be struggling on the inside when there is no openness between husband and wife.
When couples stop communicating honestly, keep secrets, hide their feelings, or are afraid to discuss important issues, emotional distance begins to grow. What starts as “I don’t want to cause a problem” can eventually become mistrust, resentment, loneliness, and constant misunderstanding.
Openness does not mean telling your spouse everything in a hurtful or careless way. It means creating a safe relationship where both partners can honestly talk about their feelings, concerns, mistakes, finances, expectations, struggles, and dreams without fear of unnecessary humiliation or condemnation.
A strong marriage requires:
• Honest communication — Talk about problems instead of allowing them to grow in silence. • Trust and transparency — Avoid unnecessary secrecy that can damage confidence in the relationship. • Active listening — Listen to understand, not simply to respond or attack. • Emotional vulnerability — Let your spouse know when you are hurting, worried, disappointed, or afraid. • Respect — Honesty should never become an excuse for insults, threats, or emotional abuse. • Forgiveness — When mistakes are acknowledged, work together toward healing and restoration.
The Bible says:
“Where no counsel is, the people fall: but in the multitude of counsellors there is safety.” — Proverbs 11:14 (KJV)
And:
“Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.” — James 1:19 (KJV)
Marriage should be a place where two people can feel safe enough to communicate, honest enough to admit their weaknesses, and humble enough to work through their differences.
Be careful with the words you speak to your children.
A child should not grow up hearing, “You will never succeed,” “You are useless,” “Nothing good will come from you,” or “You will suffer in life.” Words spoken repeatedly by a parent can deeply affect a child’s emotions, confidence, and relationship with the family.
Even when spoken in anger, such words can become negative messages that a child may carry for many years.
SOME EFFECTS OF CONSTANTLY CURSING YOUR CHILDREN:
1. It can destroy their confidence.
Children need encouragement and guidance. Constant insults and negative declarations can make them believe they are not good enough.
2. It can create fear and insecurity.
A child who is constantly threatened or cursed may become afraid of making mistakes, expressing themselves, or trying new things.
3. It can damage the parent-child relationship.
Instead of seeing the parent as a source of love and protection, the child may grow resentful, distant, or bitter.
4. It can affect their emotional well-being.
Repeated humiliation, rejection, and negative words can contribute to sadness, anxiety, low self-worth, and emotional distress.
5. It can influence how they see themselves.
Children often believe what the people closest to them repeatedly tell them. Speak to the potential you want them to develop—not the failure you fear.
6. It can teach them to use hurtful words themselves.
Children learn from what they experience. If they grow up hearing curses and insults, they may eventually speak to others in the same way.
Discipline is necessary, but discipline should teach—not humiliate. Correct their mistakes, set boundaries, explain consequences, and show them how to do better.
The Bible says:
“Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.” — Proverbs 18:21 (KJV)
And:
“And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.” — Ephesians 6:4 (KJV)
Your child may make mistakes today, but that does not mean their future is ruined.
Don’t curse your children. Correct them with wisdom. Pray for them. Encourage them. Bless them. Speak words that build their character, strengthen their confidence, and remind them that they are loved.
YOUR WORDS CAN LEAVE A SCAR OR BUILD A FUTURE. CHOOSE YOUR WORDS WISELY.