Social media activist and commentator, Verydarkman, has weighed in on the recent high-profile cooking event organized by celebrity chef Hilda Baci, defending the significance of the occasion while addressing critics who have suggested he is envious of her growing influence and popularity.
The event, which involved cooking a massive pot of Nigerian Jollof rice, drew widespread attention and acclaim, with Guinness World Records officially recognizing Hilda Baci for preparing the largest pot of Jollof rice in Nigeria. The spectacle was attended by numerous guests and extensively covered on social media, sparking conversations about food culture, national pride, and celebrity influence.
In his statement, Verydarkman emphasized the historical and cultural significance of rice in Nigeria. He noted that rice has often been distributed during significant political or social events, particularly by politicians to curry favor with the masses or make symbolic gestures. In this context, he suggested that while Hilda Baci’s cooking event was notable, it should not be viewed as a distraction or diminished in importance simply because it was largely female-driven.
Addressing accusations of jealousy, Verydarkman firmly rejected claims that he felt envious of Hilda Baci’s achievement. He pointed out that his own influence and capacity to mobilize large crowds are well-established, asserting that he could easily fill a stadium if he chose to organize an event of similar scale. His comments aimed to highlight that admiration for someone else’s accomplishments does not negate one’s own power or prominence.
Verydarkman elaborated, saying, “Nobody has the decency to call it a distraction. Hilda Baci has made Nigeria proud by putting us on the map. And then one person go dey one place dey say Verydarkman is jealous that he cannot pull that crowd. What crowd? I can fill a stadium if I want. I can fill it. I will fill a stadium if I say I have something to do there. I will have thousands of ratels that would come there.” His statement underscored both his respect for Hilda Baci’s achievement and his confidence in his own influence.
He also stressed that men should not feel the need to diminish women’s successes, especially in areas where women are taking the lead. Verydarkman described the Jollof rice event as a celebration of culinary excellence and national pride, asserting that all men should simply support and acknowledge such efforts rather than criticize or belittle them.
The video and commentary have since circulated widely on social media, with supporters praising Verydarkman for defending Hilda Baci while also challenging societal expectations and perceptions of influence, competition, and gender roles in Nigeria.
Watch video below …
“There’s a history of rice in Nigeria, any small thing , they share rice” – VeryDarkMan on Hilda Baci’s jollof event pic.twitter.com/u6qll75Abz
— Oyindamola🙄 (@dammiedammie35) September 17, 2025