Chaos Erupts at Hilda Baci’s World Jollof Festival as Giant Pot Collapses During Record Attempt

By Joseph Iyaji | Akahi News

Lagos was thrown into a frenzy on Friday night when a dramatic twist unfolded at the highly anticipated Gino World Jollof Festival with Hilda Baci as the giant custom-built pot, central to the world record attempt for the largest pot of Nigerian Jollof rice, suddenly collapsed mid-event.

The incident occurred at the prestigious Eko Hotel and Suites, where thousands of fans, celebrities, food enthusiasts, and curious onlookers had gathered to witness celebrity chef Hilda Baci make history once again.

The Moment Chaos Struck

According to Akahi News findings, tension gripped spectators when the massive pot—measuring six metres wide and six metres tall, with a total capacity of 22,619 litres—was being hoisted by a crane onto an industrial weighing scale for official verification.

Organisers revealed that the pot, specially constructed for the event, gave way under its own weight, sending the crowd into panic as the structure collapsed in front of a shocked audience.

Viral videos of the incident flooded social media within minutes, capturing the exact moment the colossal pot crashed, sending spectators scampering for safety while security personnel rushed to restore order.

Overwhelming Turnout and Logistical Hiccups

Earlier in the day, the event had already drawn massive attention, with Hilda Baci announcing that over 20,000 participants had registered for the free festival.

Long queues formed at the venue hours before the event kicked off as security officials struggled to manage the surging crowd eager to be part of the historic attempt.

Initially, Baci had planned to cook using 5,000kg of raw basmati rice—equivalent to about 250 bags—but citing logistical and weighing difficulties, she later scaled the amount down to 4,000kg (about 200 bags).

Despite the adjustment, the custom pot, designed to handle the staggering quantity, failed at the critical weighing stage, casting uncertainty over the record bid.

Guinness Record Bid Still on Track

In a statement released after the incident, organisers reassured the public that the setback would not derail the record attempt.

“Safety was our top priority. We are reviewing all footage and procedures. The record attempt will still proceed for Guinness World Records certification,” a spokesperson for the event confirmed.

The festival, which featured electrifying performances and guest appearances by Nollywood star Funke Akindele and rapper Falz, continued after safety checks were completed, keeping the spirit of the event alive despite the technical setback.

Hilda Baci’s Meteoric Rise

Hilda Baci, who rose to prominence in 2023 after breaking the Guinness World Record for the longest cooking marathon with an astonishing 93-hour feat, has since become a culinary icon in Nigeria and beyond.

Her remarkable journey from a Lagos-based chef to an international sensation has inspired millions, with fans describing her as a symbol of resilience, ambition, and creativity in the Nigerian culinary space.

Awaiting Guinness Verdict

As of the time of this report, Guinness World Records officials have yet to confirm whether the attempt will qualify despite the pot collapse.

Hilda’s supporters, however, remain hopeful that the documentation and evidence submitted will be enough to secure her yet another spot in the global record books.

Whether or not Guinness gives the final nod, the Gino World Jollof Festival with Hilda Baci has already cemented its place as one of the most talked-about culinary events in recent Nigerian history.

Akahi News http://www.akahinews.org