You are the author of your own destiny; write yourself into history books. ― Matshona Dhliwayo
Hilda Baci dominated the headlines this weekend as she attempted to break the Guinness World Record for marathon cooking. The restaurateur began the competition on Thursday after she turned on her cooker at 4 pm and surpassed the current world record holder on Monday morning before extending the record to a hundred hours.
If certified by the Guinness World Record, she will be displacing the current world record holder, Lata Tondon, an Indian chef who achieved the feat in 2019 with 87 hours 45 minutes record uninterrupted cooking.
It’s fascinating how humans carry these aspirations deep within us, with each person’s unique journey. For some, it’s an unwavering lifelong pursuit to reach the summit of success, while for others, it’s an exhilarating race to become the very best.
But in Nigeria, where we still have gender discrimination, challenges, and biases, some extraordinary women defied all odds, seizing complete control of their destinies. They have etched their names in the annals of history, leaving an indelible mark far beyond mere words.
This article highlights four incredible Nigerian women who have forged their paths, boldly choosing their destinies. With their unmatched determination, they have shattered records and rewritten history.
Read Also: Nigerians rally round Hilda Bachi as she aims to break the world record for longest cooking time
Kafayat Oluwatoyin Shafau aka Kaffy
When you mention the term “dancing queen” in Nigeria, there’s one name that packs a serious punch—Kaffy. Let me tell you, this woman is a force to be reckoned with. Some of us might know her as the Guinness Book of Records breaker for her mind-blowing dancing skills back in 2009. But let’s rewind and delve into her incredible journey’s roots.
Kaffy did not intend to become a dancer, let alone a record breaker. She has always wanted to explore the aeronautical engineering field, but let’s just say her destiny was different. Dancing which started more of a passionate fun activity, became a more defined destiny.
Fast forward to 2006, and we find Kaffy and her crew embarking on a dance marathon like no other—the Nokia Silverbird Danceathon. They decided to go all out, pushing their bodies to the limit for 55 hours and 40 minutes. Kaffy emerged from that intense dance marathon as the crowned Nigerian dance queen and a Guinness World Record holder for the “Longest Dance Party”.
Odumewu Debbie Sunmisola aka PinkiDebbie
At age 22, Pinki Debbi already had big dreams in the entertainment game. As a dancer and choreographer, Pinki Debbie had a burning passion for pushing boundaries. In 2017, she proved her mettle by snagging the 2nd runner-up position in the Etisalat Break-Free 24hr Dance Challenge. Not only that, but she also emerged as the last female dancer standing.
Pinki Debbi could not rest on her laurels. Fueled by her achievements and motivated to push even harder, she set her sights on an audacious goal. In November 2017, she embarked on a journey to break the Guinness Book of World Records for the longest dance by an individual.
At that time, the record had already been snatched by Kalamandalam Hemaletha from India, who danced for 5 days straight, 120 hours. Pink Debbi shattered the record! She danced her way into the history books, grooving non-stop for 150 hours.
Blessing Okagbare-Ighoteguonor
Blessing Okagbare-Ighoteguonor is one incredible Nigerian woman who has significantly impacted the international sports industry. At 19, Blessing accomplished a remarkable feat by winning a bronze medal in the women’s long jump event at the 2008 Summer Olympics held in Beijing.
As Blessing’s career progressed, so did her list of achievements. 2010 she clinched the Nigerian 100m title, showcasing her incredible speed and athleticism. Later that year, she further solidified her prowess by securing the gold medal in the long jump at the African Championships.
Continuing to push boundaries, Blessing achieved a personal record in the 200m race, clocking an impressive 22.31 seconds in April 2013. Fast forward to 2021, and Blessing Okagbare accomplished another milestone by securing her place in the prestigious Guinness Book of Records for the most appearances in Diamond League Meetings, making 67 appearances between the 3rd of July 2010 and 31 August 2018.
Oyinka Asu-Johnson aka DJ Yin
Speaking of an incredible tale of talent, determination, and record-breaking achievements, Disc Jockey Oyinka Asu-Johnson, also known as DJ Yin is one woman that shook the world. It all began when DJ Obi broke the Guinness Book of World Records for the longest DJ set, spinning tunes for a mind-boggling 240 hours.
This feat inspired Oyinka to embark on her extraordinary journey. With unwavering determination, Oyinka trained rigorously to surpass DJ Obi’s record. She dedicated herself to building the resilience required to conquer this monumental task.
For an astonishing 243 hours and 30 minutes, Oyinka, or DJ Yin as she is known, pushed herself beyond limits. She shattered the previous record, surpassing DJ Obi’s achievement and setting a new record of eleven days of disk-jockeying.
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