So far, Nigerians have been divided in their opinions about Chef Dammy’s project. While many Nigerians are impressed and are commending the spirit of the Ekiti Lady, there are some who have come hard on her. Their only grouse is that Dammy is undertaking her project rather too soon. They argue that as a Nigerian, she ought to have given her compatriot, Chef Hilda enough time to savour the euphoria of her feat.

Really?

Truth is those who have come down hard on Chef Dammy simply suffer a faulty reasoning complex called logical fallacy. And quite often, people commit logical fallacies either unintentionally (due to poor reasoning), or intentionally, just to manipulate others.

To argue that Chef Dammy is a betrayer who couldn’t think by herself, but had to wait “till someone showed the way” is so petty and warped. So, I ask: Did Hilda herself think by herself? Why did she have to wait for an Indian (and others before her), to set a new record?

Records are meant to be set, and to be broken. It doesn’t matter when and who breaks a record. Competition is about sportsmanship. The optimism of an ability, capability and the capacity to attempt and win; as well as the spirit of forbearance in defeat.

It should not matter who is gunning after Hilda’s record. Hilda is a Nigerian; Dammy is also a Nigerian. They are both entitled to aspire. Any other Nigerian chef can wake up next week and decide to beat Chef Dammy’s 120-hour record (if she eventually sets it). And no one should begrudge whoever challenges her. That is the spirit of competition. As long as the gladiators don’t break organisers rules.

The unknown “local” Ekiti girl may not be a slay queen: a beautiful celebrity with high social network, she may not have big politicians and corporate big boys to fund her, she may not have celebrity artistes to support her and trend her on their social media handles, she may not even have the curves and hips to win the hearts of many, but she remains a hardworking go-getter, with the “Can-do” spirit of the Ekiti Kete.

Weeks ago, when Hilda set her own record. As Nigerians, we were all there to cheer her to victory. Today it’s Chef Dammy who is attempting her own 120-hour record. As Nigerians, we should also be here encouraging her to reach her goal. She is no less Nigerian than Hilda. Who knows: Next week, Chef Halimat from Sokoto may attempt to do150 hours for a new cooking record. It wouldn’t matter a tot even if she is a physically challenged backstreet caterer. As Nigerians, we should be there again to encourage her to victory.

A popular quote from a former American Football player, Andrew Whitworth says: “If you’re a true warrior, competition doesn’t scare you: it makes you better.”

The bottomline is: Guinness Book of Records in cooking isn’t Hilda Baci’s birthright. It is not anyone’s, and will never be anyone’s. Yesterday, it was Chef Hilda. Today, it’s Chef Dammy. Tomorrow, it may be Chef Halimat. Celebrity or no celebrity. Easterner, Westerner, Northerner or Southerner, no one should be more or less Nigerian than another. None should be more entitled or deserving of social, economic or political glory than the other.

Enough of the hate for Chef Dammy.