By Isah Aliyu Chiroma
“History is a nightmare from which I am trying to awake”.
_James Joyce
It has been a happy occasion for the nation as a whole because we recently set a record for the longest cooking time on Monday. The Nigerian chef Hilda Effiong Bassey, often known as Hilda Baci, has demonstrated tenacity and shown the world that young Nigerians can succeed in anything they set their minds to. Hilda has demonstrated her abilities by taking the risk to break this record, which is not a Nigerian record but a world record.
Guinness World Records is a British reference book that is published annually and lists world records for both human accomplishments and the extremes of the natural world. It was first published in 1955 and was previously known as The Guinness Book of Records until 1999. The Guinness World Records has been documenting and preserving record breakers, who have shown exception among individuals, by challenging themselves and showing the world what they can do.
As the record had shown, the last who broke the Guinness World Record on longest cooking marathon was an Indian chef, Lata Tondon in 2019, who had cooked for 87 hours, 45 minutes. He has kept this record for good 4 years before Hilda broke the silence with a big energy. In a stunning 100 hours, Hilda reportedly prepared 55 different recipes and more than 100 meals, starting on Thursday May 11 and continuing through, till Monday, May 15. As she said “The journey to the cook-a-thon started five years ago. It is one of my biggest aspirations and I am glad that I took the bold step to embark on this adventure. I have taken time to prepare for this psychologically and I am proud to finally take on this challenge”. Hilda is not the only person to be proud, but her country and the youth are also proud of her.
Some Nigerians have broken records in the Guinness World Records over the years in various categories, which demonstrates how we have pushed the envelope and advanced human history. Some of these record-breakers from Nigeria include Paul Kehinde, who set the record for the heaviest para powerlift by a man in February 2018, and Bose Omolayo, who broke the record for the heaviest para powerlift by a woman in December 2021. In January 1961, Stephen Keshi set a record for being the youngest individual to win the Africa Cup of Nations as both a player and a coach. On October 13, 2021, Chinonso Eche set the record for the most football headers in a prone position in a minute with 233. In American football, Haruna Abdulazeez received the most foot touches (Male) in one minute in October 2020. Each entry on this never-ending list has a different history.
Nigerian youth appear to have assumed responsibility for their future by not only establishing world records but also building a better future for themselves and future generations. The general election of 2023 has proven that this may happen when young people get out to vote for the leaders they want and the future they want to create. They have brought their rage to the voting booths, where they have cast their ballots, ensured that they were counted, and received the outcome they desired.
In the days leading up to the inauguration of the new President elect, vice President elect, Governors, Senators, and Members of the House of Representatives, it is important to pay attention to and engage the youth in order to tap into their creative potential. They will have a great opportunity as a result, and it will also help them be ready for the future, which they will be a part of. Young people should be supported in a variety of ways since this will help them become more equipped for the task at hand and assist find solutions to societal challenges.
My friend Zainab Illiyasu Bobi, who’s work in the arts, won the first Akachi Chukwuemeka Prize for Literature last week for her poem “A Conversation Between a Cyborg and a Therapist.” I’ve known this woman for a while, and I am aware of the effort she has put forth to develop her creative side. There are many people who share her viewpoints, including some of my friends at the creative space; Mujahid Ameen Lilo, Adamu Usman Garko, Abdulbaki Ahmad, Uchenna Emelife, and too many others to list. Likewise, in the IT sector, my dear buddy Abdulrahman Yahaya Maraya, a robotic engineer who is currently in China, and Abubakar Shuibu, a young guy developing solutions around renewable energy, which has been a huge concern.
These are young people with promising futures who have distinguished themselves and served as role models in various fields, altering popular perceptions about young people. Investment in young people and the creation of an environment where their work will be valued and appreciated are two of the most crucial factors in fostering their growth. Many young people will record a new dawn in our history in the coming years. This will serve as a mirror into which the incoming generation can look and reflect on their path to eventual greatness.
Finally, I’ll reiterate what I once said to Auwal Gataa in response to his question, “Have you been receiving the necessary support you ought to? “, which was posed to me in a Blueprint Newspaper interview. ” one of my mentors told me something very important recently; he said the best support a writer could receive is the motivation to keep writing. Every writer aspires to be read and when people read what you have written, they will get to look out for you and provide you with the support you need to continue your journey. And you know sometimes, opportunity will come knocking at your door when you are fully prepared”.
You must maintain your composure and keep your head up wherever you are on your journey. The road to success is never easy, but if you are ready, you will leave your mark on history and everyone will remember you!
