Four things I learned from Hilda Baci’s cook-a-thon

About 6 weeks ago, I  watched the video of Hilda Bica’s announcement of the cook-a-thon on Instagram. In the video, she narrated how she will be attempting to break the Guinness record for the longest cooking marathon by an individual.

I was amazed that this young lady could dare to dream and plan toward achieving it, so I promised myself that I will closely watch the great feat. 

Previously, I had only watched a few of her cooking videos on Instagram but didn’t think much of it.

On the set date, which was the 12th of May 2023, I joined the live broadcast at intervals to watch her cook. I was amazed by the level of support at the venue of the cook-a-thon and on social media. With her grit, I knew she was going to break the records. 

The following day, I also joined the live broadcast at intervals and the level at which young Nigerians came around to show her support moved me to tears.

I watch her smile, laugh, dance, and exhibit some forms of tiredness. After all, it was not an easy task.

I also saw how politicians, celebrities, friends, and family took turns in cheering her on – that is the Nigerian spirit.

On Sunday and Monday, I joined the live stream at intervals also and she did break the record.

Here are a few things I learned:

  • Hilda Bica is a dreamer: In the announcement, she said she has been planning this for 5 years now and decided to take steps to actualize her dream.
  • Nigerian are supportive and loving people: I watch young people under the rain dancing and cheering when they could have been anywhere else. I also came across countless posts on my feeds across different social media platforms cheering and spreading the news of a strong and determined woman who is attempting to break the Guinness world records

Nigerians prayed and praised her.

  • Consistency brings results: On the first day, the live broadcast had about a few hundred but on the second and third days, it recorded thousands of viewers.

The venue wasn’t so full to the brink on the first day but on the third day, people were advised to stay home as they were at full capacity. 

  • A man’s skill makes room for him: The vice president called to encourage Hilda, the governor visited the venue to support her, celebrities did the same and she got a lot of free press, advertisement, and PR which boosted her social media accounts. 

Hilda Bica is a 27 years old woman from Akwa Ibom, a state in the south-south geopolitical zone of Nigeria. She made her family and many Nigerians proud. She made her dream a reality and broke a world record.

It is a good day to be a young Nigerian

Cracks! Dust! Rust! Cross!

A year seems like a decade

Lives look so much like mud

Dreams fail to blossom 

Pain seems to flourish 

Souls are missing 

But there’s a ray of hope for another day 

A light that changes it all 

A hope no man can give  

For well is for all if all is indeed well 

Peace belongs to those who aren’t broken into pieces 

Love is for those who don’t mind getting hurt 

Life is a union of contradicting experience

 Pain sticks better than Lovers  

 Faith is harder than prayers 

Talk is so much cheaper than actions 

Yes, we choose the easier and less expensive ones every time 

Tears are a better healer than smiles. 

All I see are cracks, dust, rust, and a cross!

Toxicity: My Neighbors Story

I once knew of a couple who can’t stay together for 24 hours without abusing each other physically, mentally, and emotionally. 

I could care less if it was just the two of them but each time they fight, I hear their little girl cry “Please stop” and “Mummy please stop” while the boys watch in silence. 

Sometimes, I wonder why this little girl of about 11 years old appeals to her mum alone to stop, then I realized she knew it takes two to fight. 

Most times, I am scared for the kids, for their mental health and all. 

It shrinks my heart whenever I hear her crying and begging her mum to stop fighting with her dad. 

 I do wonder what these two irresponsible, selfish, and myopic adults are still doing together under the same roof. 

I also feared that  they will eventually kill themselves someday because neighbors don’t interfere anymore ( I heard they’ve heard their share and are tired of the endless fights) 

Now, they just lock their doors and listen to the secrets and dirt the couple chooses to entertain them with through their verbal exchange.

 I do wonder where these two irresponsible beings got it all wrong.

I wonder if it took them three adorable kids to realize they weren’t made for each other. 

I do wonder what kind of adults these kids will grow up to become if these incidents keep reoccurring.

I also wonder if they take out time to ponder on the effects it’s having on their kids. 

I wonder why the boys stay quiet while the girl cries and begs. 

I do wonder about a lot of things though but I hope these kids find peace and suitable adults who they will use to form their opinion of marriage and family life.

I desperately pray they don’t continue the abuse cycle.

I hope they find healing for there was only a little I could do to save them.