From extraordinary to the ridiculous, Nigerians find reasons to gain Guinness World Records recognition.
Nigeria has been hit by a new pandemic that is not health-related like COVID-19. In this report, IFEDAYO OGUNYEMI examines the newfound craving for Guinness World Record recognition among some of the citizens and the ridiculous extent some of them go.
When 26-year-old Nigerian chef, Hilda Bassey, set the sail for her Guinness World Record (GWR) attempt, her hopes were that many Nigerians would cheer her up. Though her hopes and dreams came true, little did she know her attempt would wake up a crazy sensation and craving for GWR recognition among many Nigerians as witnessed in the last couple of months.
The lady from Akwa-Ibom State, who is popularly referred to as Hilda Baci, set up shop inside a makeshift kitchen at Amore Gardens in Lekki, Lagos State, to beat the longest cooking time by an individual set by Lata Tondon, an Indian, in 2019.
While Tandon was honoured by GWR for cooking for 87 hours and 45 minutes non-stop, Bassey, who initially set out to cook for 96 hours, eventually stopped cooking after 100-hours between Thursday, May 11 and Monday, May 15.
The whole process, which was streamed live and publicised on various social media platforms, attracted the attention of all and sundry as many Nigerians trooped to the venue to cheer her up. During the period, she produced almost 100 pots of food from more than 55 recipes, mostly of which are indigenous to Nigeria, according to GWR.
Among many notable Nigerians who visited the Madonna University graduate are Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu; music artistes Tiwa Savage, Ice Prince and Tim Godfrey while former Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo called to cheer her up on phone.
Upon review of all evidence, GWR, on Tuesday, June 13, announced Bassey as the current holder of the longest cooking marathon by an individual with 93 hours and 11 minutes, about seven hours off Tondon’s record time.
Making the announcement, an adjudicator identified as Mark said in a video posted on the official handle of GWR: “I can now announce that with a time of 93 hours and 11 minutes, Hilda Baci is the new holder for the Guinness World Records title of the longest cooking marathon.”
Mark noted the scheduled rest breaks taken by Bassey during the attempt were miscalculated, leading to the deduction of about seven hours from her original closing time.
“There was a miscalculation when it came to Hilda’s rest breaks, meaning we are unable to award the 100 hours claimed,” Mark pointed out.
But the reward for any record set is not monetary. Bassey’s rewards for the record set are “the prestige of being a record holder, a certificate of achievement and the potential for global recognition.”
What is the Guinness World Records?
The idea for the Guinness World Records –originally known as the Guinness Book of Records– was conceived as a factbook to solve arguments in the early 1950s by Sir Hugh Beaver. Today, it is the ultimate authority on record-breaking achievements, according to information on its website.
Data provided by GWR indicates that over 7,300 records have been approved from the over 56,000 record enquiries received from 171 countries as of 2022. The GWR currently has 62,252 active records on its database and has sold over 151 million books globally till date. It also revealed that 80 per cent of the records contained in the book are updated every year. The book has been published in over 40 languages.
As of today, many Nigerians are holders of numerous records instituted by the GWR including trackster, Blessing Okagbare; the late Super Eagles coach, Stephen Keshi; photographer to former President Muhammadu Buhari, Bayo Omoboriowo; the late Fela Kuti; Chinonso Eche, among others.
Though Bassey’s efforts not only put Nigeria on the map as she hoped, she inadvertently also reawakened both passion among some genuine Nigerians, who felt they could take their talents a notch higher and madness among some others who typically and uncreatively will follow any idea for financial benefits.
While Bassey’s attempt was still being reviewed by the GWR team, an Ekiti State-based chef, Damilola Adeparusi, moved to set another higher cooking marathon record. The move didn’t come as a pleasant development for all as many Nigerians berated her for attempting to beat a record that was yet to be validated. Some described her attempt as malicious and desperate.
The nasty debate trended on the social media, particularly,Twitter, where some comments were passed by many critics and those who rose in defence of Adeparusi. The jeers and boos, however, didn’t deter the 300-level Mass Communication student of the Federal University, Oye-Ekiti, who eventually cooked for 120 hours.
The GWR double U-turn
One of the many debates that ensued during the period was the uncertainty regarding whether Adeparusi notified the GWR team of her attempt. While evidence of notification was scarce, many Nigerian rued her ill-attempt and lack of proper preparation.
Legit, a web-based news platform, had contacted GWR to ascertain the authenticity of Adeparusi’s attempt. In response, GWR said it was yet to receive an application for her attempt, adding that once the application was accepted and approved, the applicant would receive “a set of detailed guidelines specific to that record category that must be adhered to.”
The team added that “this also details a list of evidence that must be submitted for our team to verify the record. Guinness World Records maintains a rigorous review process to maintain the integrity of each Guinness World Records title.”
With this, the critics once again went for Adeparusi’s jugular, describing her attempt as ill-timed. Some others berated her for cooking and flouting some of the GWR guidelines.
When FIJ, another web-based news platform, reached out to Alina Polianskaya, a public relations executive at the GWR, it was revealed that the GWR was “aware of Chef Dammy’s cooking marathon,” while adding that “it is possible to submit evidence after a record attempt has been completed.”
Polianskaya also debunked claims that there was a waiting time to break an existing record as some of Adeparusi’s critics claimed.
But in another twist on Tuesday, July 4, the GWR team sounded a note of warning to many seeking to set or break a record to notify the GWR team ahead of their attempts.
“Polite reminder that you should probably have your world record title confirmed by our team before attempting it here’s how our process works,” the tweet on GWR official Twitter handle read.
While speaking to journalists in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital, last month, Adeparusi said she would cook again, this time for 150 hours, adding that she would register with the GWR team before commencing the process in the hope to beat Bassey’s records.
“Finally, I know there have been many speculations about me not registering this just-concluded cooking, but my team and I have decided to embark on this new challenge next month. This time, it will be held for a 150-hour, and it will be duly registered with Guinness World Records. Chef Dammy is coming back!” she said in June.
The pure water syndrome
Though many Nigerians have been recognised by the GWR in the past for their passion, grit and dedication in their chosen fields and/or activities, the newfound attraction for GWR recognition has come as a surprise for many observers.
Before now, applying for GWR recognition usually is done without extravagant fanfare such that only a relative few are aware of it. Even up to the moment Bassey applied for the recognition, not many Nigerians harbour the plan to apply to set or break a record but the publicity, fanfare, brand recognition, nationwide acceptance and goodwill Bassey garnered from Nigerians all over spurred many to tilt their thinking caps towards it.
One of the many who jumped on the train was Adeparusi whose attempt drew wide condemnation and generated debates from many Nigerians at different fora.
Chef Deo’s cook-a-thon
As many other Nigerians signalled intentions to commence their own attempts at setting and breaking Guinness World Records, the trend was likened to the “pure water syndrome” where Nigerians, in their usual habit, throng any booming activity and proliferate it even to the point of ridicule as seen with the world records attempt.
While everyone was waiting for Adeparusi to commence her new GWR attempt in July, another chef, Adeola Adeyeye, who is based in Ondo State, began the quest to cook for 150 hours. The attempt took place at TMF Lounge and Bar, Ile Oluji, Ondo State, between June 30 and July 6.
Temitope Adebayo’s cook-a-thon
Another Nigerian chef, Temitope Adebayo, also signalled intention to cook for 140-hours starting on November 1. It is not yet clear if Adebayo would reapply for the record now that his target has now been surpassed by Miss Adeyeye.
Chef Limadia’s cook-a-thon
Another chef, Limadia, who hails from Kogi State also announced that she would embark on a 192-hour cooking marathon between July 10 and July 18. The attempt is expected to be held at Campus Two, Auchi Polytechnic, Edo State.
John Obot’s Book-a-thon
As the race for who can cook the longest time is still on, another Nigerian, one John Obot, came out with his own idea of beating the record on reading. He announced that he has set his sight on setting a new reading record with his 145-hour reading marathon scheduled to take place in Uyo, Akwa-Ibom State, between September 9 and 15. During the period, according to him, he would read a collection of 25 novels that will show the literary richness and diversity of Nigeria. The current holder of the record with 124 hours reading time set in September 2022 is Rysbai Isakov from Kyrgyzstan.
Alan Emmanuel’s Sign-A-Thon
Young Enensi Emmanuel Effiong, who has a hearing difficulty also joined the train as he hopes to fingerspell the American Sign Language Alphabet in 4.30 seconds.
Even though there is no previous record holder for the fastest time to spell the American Sign Language (ASL) Alphabet, the Guidance, Counseling and Special Education student of Ignatius Ajuru University of Education, Port Harcourt in Rivers State, is also hoping to covet the fastest World Sign Language record. The current 4.7 seconds record is held by Thomas McWhinney from 2008 using the British Sign Language Alphabet.
Botched kiss-a-thon in Ekiti
On Wednesday, July 5, the Ekiti State government announced a ban on a planned three-day kissing marathon scheduled to take place in the state. The event was purportedly organised by a group identified as Sugartee to commence on July 7 before the state government placed a ban on it with severe punishment for those behind the idea should they flout the order.
A statement written by the Director of Tourism, Adebanji Adelusi, on behalf of the Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Arts and Culture, Dele Ogunsemoyin, noted that the “event is not only absurd, unhealthy, immoral and capable of denigrating the image of the state, it is a programme that runs counter to the values of the people of the state and therefore capable of plunging our youths morally backwards.”
Joyce Ijeoma’s massage marathon
Another shocking development for many Nigerians came in the early hours of Tuesday, July 4, when a Nigerian masseur, Joyce Ijeoma, collapsed during her GWR attempt. She attempted to break the record by performing body massage on different individuals. The longest full-body massage recorded is 25 hours and 14 minutes which was set in 2015 by Alastair Galpin in South Kalimantan, Indonesia. As of the time she collapsed around 1:00 a.m. on Tuesday, Ijeoma had passed the 50-hour mark.
Daniel Aiguokhian’s write-a-thon
A Nigerian writer, Daniel Aiguokhian, announced that he would embark on a journey to set a record for the longest writing marathon. He hopes to write for 188 hours at the University of Calabar in Cross River State.
In the eight days of writing, he said he would have only one hour of rest per day and only 10 minutes on the last day. During the period, he is expected to produce two fiction books with a minimum of 25 pages each daily.
Oluwatobi Kufeji’s praise worship-a-thon
A gospel artiste, Oluwatobi Kufeji, popularly known as Alejò Pätäki, also attempted to get a GWR recognition by singing for 200 hours at Jakande Estate, Lagos State. Should his attempt be validated, he’ll become the holder of the Longest Singing Marathon currently held by India’s Sunil Waghamare (105 hours) since March 2012.
Stylist Bojuri’s braid-a-thon
Bojuri, a hair stylist based in Ibadan, Oyo State, also underwent 72 hours of marathon braiding. The braid-a-thon was held at Mingles Hotel, Monatan, Ibadan, between July 5 and July 8.
But will there be sanity?
As the mania for GWR recognition continues, many have continued to wonder about how to restore sanity into these numerous quests while questioning their level of preparation. They believe the uptick in the number of attempts coming from Nigeria is making a mess of the GWR institution as they lack decency, practice and preparation.
One of the guidelines used in setting or breaking a world record, according to the GWR website, is “Practice, practice, practice.”
GWR explains that “it takes a lot of time and dedication to become the best in the world! Only move on to the following step when you are confident you can beat the world record, or the minimum requirement in the case of a new record.”
For Bassey, plans for her record attempt started in 2018. In an interview with The Sun in April this year, Bassey said: “The cookathon has been in plans for the past five years. I have been preparing physically and mentally. Now is the time to go for this huge attempt. With the support of Nigerians and people worldwide, I believe this is achievable.”
Commenting on the rising trend, a social commentator, Zakka Bala, called for decency as it appears that many Nigerians are competing with one another. He further said that such unbridled competition also promotes negativity.
“That is a special recognition for people who have made outstanding achievements in an area or activity of human endeavour. It is not something someone will jump into anyhow. There is a need for sanity. In the context of Nigeria, the way it is going, it looks like there is a rivalry among themselves. If there’s going to be a quest for GWR, let it be something that will put Nigeria on the world map and on the highest pedestal. The way Nigerians are going about the recognition right now is really not encouraging.
“Provided there is decency, any thing, competition is widely encouraged. It not only broadens the horizon, it also challenges the competitor. What I don’t want is rivalry because it promotes negativity and doesn’t promote positive progress. They can pick different areas of human endeavours and set good examples there. The better and more glamorous it will be,” Bala said.
Speaking further on the benefits of applying for such recognition, Bala said: “Breaking records translates into social, political and economic gains. It has a lot to do with resilience, endurance, creativity and consistency. After some time, holders of such records become celebrities and influencers for promotional activities wherein they get paid. It enhances their lives. It also acts as a sort of motivation for many people but I advocate healthy competition.”
While the cost of making such extensive record attempts could not be ascertained, Sunday Tribune believes millions of naira would have been committed to their quests, which in itself does not come with a financial reward.
Sometimes in June, Bassey revealed that she prosecuted her own attempt with over N80 million. She said, “I spent over N80m of my hard earned money for my cookathon so people could eat and drink for free.” She later put the record straight, clarifying that what she meant was N8 million and not N80 million!
Though Adeparusi is yet to make the cost of her attempt public, she once said the whole process was sponsored by her pastor and church members. She had disclosed that what she received in donations had not surpassed the initial investment made to organise the event.
“People always criticise about the money coming in, but they don’t ask about the money that was used to start up the whole programme.
“This programme was fully funded by my pastor and a few members of the church. I was not involved in anything. The only thing I did in everything was to cook. I was just the face of the church,” she said in a video.
GWR applicants looking to promote personal brand
Adding voice to the discourse, a public affairs analyst, Samuel Adeyeye, described the craze for GWR quests as moves to promote their personal brands as cooking provides a very simple opportunity to do so.
While describing it as a “normal phenomenon,” Adeyeye said the publicity that came with Bassey’s attempt cannot be unconnected to the uptick in GWR attempts coming from Nigeria.
He said: “A lot of people watched Hilda. The process attracted the governor, a whole lot of people and companies that partnered with her. I think that is one of the reasons many people are looking into it now without looking at other records like running and cycling.
“They are just looking at where their brands can actually fit in and work. I have seen a young Nigerian with about five records but people are not looking at that the way they are looking at cooking that can make you ultimately own a restaurant and a widely known chef.
“It is a competition. Hilda Bassey broke someone’s record. If another person comes and breaks another record, it is a good thing. That someone has a first class shouldn’t stop me or others from getting a first class too.”
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