Personality in Focus
Slay Queen with a Difference: Hilda Baci Sets New Guinness World Record for ‘Marathon Cooking’
Akwa Ibom State-born chef, Hilda Effiong Bassey, popularly known as Hilda Baci, has surpassed the current Guinness World Record holder.
With her feat, she’s poised to break the Guinness World Record for the “longest cooking marathon by an individual” after hitting the 87 hours 50 minutes mark.
The restaurateur began the competition on Thursday after she turned on her cooker at 4pm and surpassed the current world record holder on Monday morning.
If certified by the Guinness World Record, she will be displacing the current world record holder, Lata Tondon, an Indian chef who achieved the feat in 2019 with 87 hours 45 minutes record uninterrupted cooking.
Baci’s cooking marathon is currently ongoing at Amore Gardens in Lekki, Lagos State.
In her ongoing record-breaking attempt, Nigerians, including several celebrities defied the rain to physically cheer up the visibly tired chef.
Baci hit the four-day mark on Monday morning.
The chef won the maiden edition of the Jollof Face-off Competition in 2021, pocketing a grand prize of $5000.
The Guinness Book of Records is a reference book that contains human and natural world records.
It was first published in 1955 by the Guinness Brewery in Ireland and has since become one of the world’s most well-known and frequently read reference books.
Individuals or groups must submit proof to the Guinness World Records team and go through a verification process to qualify for a world record listing.
The PUNCH earlier look at list of Nigerians that have broken the Guinness World Records in recent times:
1. Gbenga Ezekiel – Record for the most skips in a minute on one leg. (February 2023)
2. Divine Ikubor aka Rema – Record for ‘Calm Down’ as the first No.1 Hit on The Official MENA Chart, the world’s first regional streaming chart. (May 2023)
3. Bose Omolayo – The heaviest para power lift by a female in the -79 kg category with 144 kg (December 2021)
4. Chukwuebuka Ezugha and Victor Richard Kipo – The most consecutive football passes with the soles (team of two). (December 2021)
5. Folashade Oluwafemiayo – The heaviest power lift by a female in the -86 kg category with 152.5 kg (December 2021)
6. Chinonso Eche – The most football headers in a prone position in one minute, which is 23. (October 2021)
7. Vincent Okezie – The most consecutive backward handsprings with a football (soccer ball) between the legs. (March 2022)
8. Haruna Abdulazeez – The most American football touches with the feet in one minute (October 2020)
9. Peter Aho – Record for six wickets for five runs in 3.4 overs against Sierra Leone. (October 2021)
10. Bayo Omoboriowo – The largest photo book, which was measured at 60.84 m² (654 ft² 87 in²). (September 2021)
The Punch
The co-CEO of Samsung Electronics, Han Jong-Hee, has died of heart attack on Tuesday. He was aged 63.
A spokesperson for the South Korean tech giant confirmed this.
Han, who oversaw Samsung’s consumer electronics and mobile devices businesses became the Chief Executive Officer of South Korea’s biggest company in 2022.
He had joined the tech giant in 1988 after earning a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from Inha University. Before he started to run Samsung’s electronics and devices division, he was in charge of the display operations.
In a tribute to the deceased, Samsung said Han dedicated more than 37 years of his life to leading Samsung’s TV business to become a global leader.
The company said, Han as the head of its electronics and appliances businesses, contributed to its growth amid challenging business environment.
Eze Aro of Arochukwu Kingdom, His Eminence Dr Eberechukwu Oji, has felicitated Professor Ngozi Osarenren on the award of excellence bestowed on her by the University of Calabar (UNICAL).
UNICAL recently honoured Prof Osarenren, an expert in Career and Counselling, with the prestigious award of ‘Face of UNICAL @ 50’.
The award was given to Professor Orarenren in recognition of the contributions she has made in her chosen career both in Nigeria and abroad.
“We write to notify you of your nomination by the Central Planning Committee and UNICAL Alumni Association for the conferment of an award as the “Face of UNICAL @ 50” in commemoration of the Golden Jubilee Anniversary of the University (1975-2025).
“In nominating you for this prestigious award, the University has considered your success in using the knowledge/skills acquired in the university in your chosen filed/professional career.
”The University also notes the worthy manner you have flown the flag of integrity for the University both in Nigeria and abroad; your past/future contributions to the development of your Alma mater (UNICAL) and your pride as an alumnus,” the institution wrote prior to the five-day ceremony, which started on March 17,2025,” the institution wrote, in notifying the award recipient.
In conveying his felicitations to Prof Osarenren, His Eminence, Eze Dr Eberechukwu Oji said:
“On behalf of my family and the good people of Arochukwu kingdom, I write to felicitate you and your family on the conferment of the prestigious award of FACE of UNICAL at 50, which was recently bestowed on you by your alma mater, the University of Calabar.
“The entire Arochukwu community rejoices with you on this well deserved award. The award is a testament of your commitment and untiring efforts in uplifting the educational standards in Nigeria, which has manifested in your sterling career at the University of Lagos where you currently hold sway in it’s Guidance and Counselling Department.
“Aro Kingdom is proud of you and we urge you to keep being a great ambassador of Arochukwu.
“Once again, congratulations Adaukwu,” His Eminence added.
Personality in Focus
Contributions of Late Basketball Star, Dikembe Mutombo, Take Centrestage on Glo-sponsored African Voices
CNN International’s magazine programme, African Voices Playmakers, this weekend highlights the contributions of Late Congolese-American National Basketball Association (NBA) Hall of Famer Dikembe Mutombo as a humanitarian icon and mentor of young basketball players on the continent. The programme is bankrolled by data solutions provider, Globacom.
Full name Dikembe Mutombo Mpolondo Mukaba Jean-Jacques Wamutombo, he was known simply by his moniker ‘Mount Mutombo’ because of his defensive dexterity. He was born on June 25, 1966, in the Democratic Republic of Congo and studied Medicine at Georgetown University in America. He, however, chose to follow his passion for basketball, playing for 18 remarkable seasons in the NBA.
Dikembe created the Dikembe Mutombo Foundation to improve the living condition of his folks in the DRC. Unfortunately, he lost his fierce battle with brain cancer in September, 2024 at the age of 58.
He however remains a beacon of light to youngsters of African descent on the pitch. This new generation of African basketball players who enjoyed his tutelage include his son, Ryan, his two nephews and other youngsters from the continent two of whom are rising NBA stars, Yves Missi and Josh Okogie.
Both 20-year-old Missi, a Cameroonian professional basketball player with the New Orleans Pelicans, and 26-year-old Nigerian-American shooting guard, Okojie, who plays for the Charlotte Hornets in the United States of America will talk about Dikembe’s influence and their successful careers so far in international basketball.
The 30-minute show will be on air on DSTV Channel 401 at 7.30 a.m. on Saturday with a repeat the same day at 11 a.m. On Sunday, other repeats will be broadcast at 3.30 a.m. and 6.p.m. and on Monday at 3.00 a.m. Further repeats come up at 7.30 a.m. and 11 a.m. on Saturday next week; Sunday at 4.30 a.m. and 7 p.m. and on Monday at 4 a.m.
