IN SHORT: Claims of financial windfalls can make perceived recipients targets of crime. In this case, another false claim is being made about Nigerian chef Hilda Baci and her cooking marathon.
Shortly after Nigerian chef Hilda Bassey was declared the Guiness World Record holder for the longest cooking marathon, claims that she was awarded a N250 million cash prize surfaced on Facebook.
One post reads: “Guinness book of world records Reward Hilda Baci With 250 Million Naira for cooking longest hours 93hours 11 minutes Things to know if you are planning to break any of Guinness World records.”
Bassey, better known as Hilda Baci, completed a 100 hour “cook-a-ton” on 14 May 2023 in an attempt to break the world record for the longest cooking marathon.
She was officially declared the new record-holder at 93 hours and 11 minutes, replacing Indian chef Lata Tondon, who previously held the title with a record time of 87 hours and 45 minutes set in 2019.
The claim about Bassey receiving money was also made here.
But did Guinness World Records award Bassey a cash prize of N250 million (around US$380,000 at the exchange rate in June 2023)? We checked.
Guinness World Records awarded no cash prize
Guinness World Records announced Bassey's win and other details of her attempt in a video that was shared on its verified Twitter account on 13 June.
However, neither the video nor its caption mentioned N250 million or any other cash prize attached to the award.
In the frequently asked questions section of its website, the record-breaking authority says it does not pay holders of the human achievements it verifies.
“We do not pay record-breakers for their achievements or for carrying out a record title attempt. We are also unable to cover any expenses, offer sponsorship or provide equipment for anyone attempting a record.”
Guinness World Records didn’t award Bassey any cash prize as claimed on social media.
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