Funke Akindele supports Hilda Baci at her Guinness World Record jollof rice attempt, praising her resilience and urging young women to embrace hard work

The Nollywood actress and filmmaker was welcomed to the stage with loud cheers, dancing before addressing the crowd.

Also read: Hilda Baci begins jollof Guinness record with pastor’s blessing

She described Baci as a strong and resilient young woman whose patience and determination continue to inspire Nigerians.

“For a woman, a young lady hustling, to break the world record it is remarkable. Hilda, congratulations to you. Now she wants to break another record, and she will break it in Jesus’ name,” Akindele said.

She urged young women to look beyond physical appearance and focus on hard work and ambition. “I love Hilda because she’s beautiful, intelligent beauty with brain.

To the young ladies here, you can look beautiful, but you have to hustle, you have to do something special for yourself,” she added.

Akindele also praised Baci’s loyalty, noting that she consistently shows up to support others.

“There is no show I do, any premiere, that Hilda doesn’t attend. That is why I told myself, no matter how tired you are, get up and be here today,” she said.

Later, she joined Baci in the kitchen spot alongside Ogun State First Lady, Bamidele Abiodun, stirring the tomato base for the record-breaking jollof.

Other celebrities present included Kaffy, Tomike Adeoye, Enioluwa, Veekee James, Femi Atere, Samuel Banks, Alex Unusual, and Folagbade Banks, adding to the festive, carnival-like atmosphere.

Baci, who became a national sensation in 2023 after cooking for more than 93 hours to break the Guinness World Record for the longest cooking marathon, is now using a custom-built pot with a volume of 22,619 litres.

She revealed that the challenge will require about 5,278 kilogrammes of raw basmati rice around 250 bags.

Also read: Hilda Baci plans record with world’s biggest jollof pot

With music, dance and celebrity support, the Lagos venue continues to draw huge crowds as Baci pushes towards another Guinness landmark in Nigerian culinary history.