Damilola Adeparusi, a Nigerian chef, has just unofficially overtaken the recently announced record holder of world's longest cooking marathon, Hilda Baci, also a Nigerian, who has just been confirmed and certified as the official record holder of Guinness World Records' cook-a-thon.

On this issue, many have been holding different opinions which have led to altercations between the chefs' supporters since Damilola had entered into the contest. Some believe that it's unethical on the part of Damilola to attempt to break same record that has just been set by a fellow Nigerian, Hilda.

They argue that Damilola ought to have exercised patience at least for some years like Hilda did before she attempted to break the same record which was previously set by an Indian Chef, Lata Tondon in September 2019. Tondon cooked for 87 hours, and held the record for 4 years after overtaken a male American chef, Rickey Lumpkin, who set the record for cooking for 68 hours in 2018.

In opposition to the above submission, another set of people saw nothing wrong in attempting to break a record whether it has just or long been set. It isn't a bad idea for one to test his/her ability irrespective of the time of engagement provided that the rules of the game sees nothing wrong with the move.

They believe that since Guinness World Records' rules and regulations do not specify or set out a duration at which a current record holder needs to hold the record before another can overtake him/her, Damilola had done nothing wrong. To them, it's offensively impolite to cast aspersion on the innocent girl who set to cook for 120 hours to break Hilda's 100 hours cook-a-thon.

Some reckon that it's critically important for Damilola's critics to look into the issue based on what Guinness World Records rules draw up rather than allowing their emotions to override their judgements.

Guinness World Records is open to anyone irrespective of colour, tribe, level of education and others as long as the contestant has the strength to carry out the activity and is ready to follow the rules and guidelines. Except for those who are below 16 years old, everyone is welcome and allowed by Guinness World Records to try his/her luck.

Furthermore, there is no rule that states that if a newly contestant overtakes the previous record holder during the time that the latter awaits to be certified or is just being handed a certificate, the record or the certificate of the holder will be canceled or he/she will be denied entitlement to the record being set. Both contestants, of course, will be issued certificates after Guinness World Record have confirmed and are satisfied that both followed the set guidelines. Record holders can co-exist at the same time.

Hence, I do not think there is a reason to see Chef Damilola's attempt to show the world her ability as an envy or a way to deny Chef Hilda her entitlement. Whether contestants come from same country, region, tribe, community or family, Guinness World Records are less concerned.

Their aim and target is the diligence being displayed by contestants; contestants' thoroughness and attention to rules and guidelines of the game, and contestants' ability to outshine or overtake the previous record holder. The interval or duration between the time record is set and the time record is broken is immaterial to Guinness World Records.

Undoubtedly, records are meant to be broken. Instead of reprimanding and castigating Damilola or seeing her as a stumbling block to her fellow compatriot's success, she ought to be applauded for attempting to bring another glory to her fatherland, Nigeria. If Damilola did not do her best to try to break the record for Nigeria back to back, another person from another country will surely do it, and the consecutive glory may elude Nigeria.

In my view, I do not see Damilola as someone who is in competition with Hilda. I see her as someone who's inspired by her fellow Nigerian to prove her worth, and bring glory to Nigeria like her motivator, Hilda Baci. To engage in marathon cooking isn't an easy task. It's dishonourable to reject anyone of the chefs. Both are heroines that ought to be celebrated.

Ademola 'Bablow' Babalola.