Nollywood actress Jumoke Odetola has spoken out against those criticising Nigerian chef Hilda Baci’s giant jollof rice for not being sweet enough.
Hilda Baci recently broke a record by cooking the biggest pot of jollof rice at Eko Hotel, Lagos, with support from notable figures like Funke Akindele and the wife of Ogun State Governor, Bamidele Abiodun.
Jumoke Odetola expressed in an Instagram post how hurtful it is when negativity overshadows greatness. She questioned the mindset of people who are triggered by a woman’s success in her field. Jumoke encouraged critics to reflect on their feelings by placing their right hand on their left chest and asking why they’re triggered by a woman’s success. She prayed for peace, happiness, and healing from past pains for those criticising Hilda Baci’s achievement.
“The Jollof Rice no sweet.
I have been angry since yesterday, and if I don’t express my thoughts, I won’t be fine. It is heartbreaking when negativity overshadows greatness. Since yesterday, my timeline hasn’t rested, posts, and banters everywhere, people saying things like “e no sweet”, cooking na achievement? And I keep asking – what is going on with us? What has changed in our mindset as humans?”
Jumoke emphasised the courage it takes to attempt something extraordinary like Hilda Baci’s record-breaking cook.
“It takes real courage to attempt something extraordinary.
It takes courage to dream big.
But bringing that dream into reality takes even more than courage. It demands a whole lot of preparedness mentally, psychologically, emotionally, and financially. I have just been angry since yesterday. Go somewhere private, where no one can distract you. Place your right hand on your left chest. That’s where your heart beats,” she continued.
“Now ask yourself, slowly but honestly: WHY AM I TRIGGERED BY THE SUCCESS OF A WOMAN TRYING TO MAKE A MARK IN HER FIELD? Sit with that question. Your answer might just be the doorway to your healing. May God give us peace and happiness that surpass human understanding, and heal us from past pains that have transcended into bitterness, tox!city, and hatr€d,” she ended.
