Funke Akindele celebrates Hilda Baci’s ‘beauty with brains’, stirs giant Jollof pot
Nollywood star and filmmaker Funke Akindele, on Friday, lit up the atmosphere at Eko Hotel and Suites, Lagos, as Guinness World Record holder Hilda Baci began her ambitious attempt to cook the world’s largest pot of Nigerian Jollof rice.
Akindele, welcomed on stage with loud cheers, thrilled the crowd with a dance before hailing Baci’s strength, patience, and resilience.
“For a woman, a young lady, to break the world record—it’s no small feat,” she said. “Hilda, congratulations. Now she wants to break another record, and she will, in Jesus’ name.”
The actress urged young women to embrace hard work beyond physical beauty, describing Baci as “beauty with brains.”
“I love Hilda because she’s beautiful, nice, and intelligent. Ladies, you can look beautiful, but you must hustle. You must do something special for yourself. Look at Tomike, look at all the ladies here—we all hustle. Those are the role models you need.”
Akindele also commended Baci’s loyalty and support for friends.
“She cooks, she hustles, and she always shows up for others. There’s no show or premiere I do that Hilda doesn’t attend. That’s why I told myself, no matter how tired you are, you must be here today to support her. Congratulations, Hilda.”
The filmmaker later joined Baci in the kitchen space, stirring the tomato base of the Jollof alongside the First Lady of Ogun State, Bamidele Abiodun, who also graced the event.
Other celebrities present included Kaffy, Tomike Adeoye, Enioluwa, Veekee James, Femi Atere, Samuel Banks, Alex Unusual, and Folagbade Banks.
Hilda Baci first rose to national fame in 2023 after breaking the Guinness World Record for the longest cooking marathon, clocking over 93 hours in Lagos—a feat that earned her global recognition.
For her latest challenge, she revealed that the specially designed pot measures 22,619 litres, with a target to fill it up to 80 per cent capacity. This would require about 5,278 kilogrammes of raw basmati rice (264 bags), though she opted for 250 bags as part of her strategy.
The cook-a-thon is already drawing large crowds at Eko Hotel, where music, dance, and celebrity appearances have turned the venue into a carnival-like celebration.
