Mallam Mohammed Idris, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, has publicly commended celebrity chef Hilda Baci for her ambitious attempt to set a new Guinness World Record for cooking the world’s largest pot of jollof rice. Describing the ongoing challenge as “another testament to Nigeria’s global excellence,” the Minister’s message underscores the federal government’s pride in Nigerian achievements on the international stage.
The Minister’s commendation was delivered on Friday by Dr. Olalekan Fadolapo, the Director General of the Advertising Regulatory Council of Nigeria (ARCON), at the Eko Hotel and Suites in Lagos. This is the venue where Hilda Baci began her challenging endeavor, utilizing a custom-built, six-meter-wide pot, drawing significant public attention and support.
Speaking on behalf of the Minister, the ARCON DG stated, “The Federal Government of Nigeria lauds Hilda Baci’s extraordinary effort in putting Nigeria once again on the global map. Her dedication to excellence and her unrelenting pursuit of greatness exemplify the Nigerian spirit that the world has come to appreciate.” This highlights the government’s view of Baci as a cultural ambassador.
Minister Idris also used the occasion to inspire the thousands of youths present at the event, urging them to emulate Hilda Baci’s values of hard work, perseverance, and commitment to their craft. He emphasized, “Young Nigerians must understand that success comes through legitimate hard work, perseverance, and commitment to one’s craft. Hilda Baci has shown us that with determination and proper planning, any Nigerian can achieve global recognition and bring honour to our great nation.”
Furthermore, the Minister announced the Federal Government’s commitment to providing full support for Hilda Baci’s record-setting attempt and similar initiatives that positively project Nigeria internationally. “The Federal Government pledges its full support to endeavours that promote Nigerian excellence globally. We recognize and celebrate Nigerians like Hilda Baci, who serve as ambassadors of our nation’s capabilities, talents, culture, and food.”
