admin It was a vibrant array of people, colors and aromas at the recent Lagos food festival, organized by the State’s Ministry of Agriculture and Food systems, which took place at the Muri Okunola Park, Victoria Island, Lagos. The theme of this year’s festival was “A Taste of Culture”. It was an avenue to showcase the diverse foods of the various ethnic groups in the cosmopolitan city, and to connect various businesses involved in the production and sale of food related items to a Lagos audience, including Food enthusiasts.
This reporter cum first time visitor to the festival was fascinated by the display of couture with the array of young maidens at the entrance gate, beautifully clad in orange Oleku kampala, welcoming visitors with warm smiles. As one walked into the festival ground, smells of good food wafted through the air, savory aromas of sizzling spices, coming from the Barbecued, Chicken, beef and goat suya pervaded the air.
There were stands for juices, drinks, vegetables, all calling for attention. There were stalls offering Igbo cuisines, Hausa cuisines and other various ethnic groups in the state. In the background was a live band performing, with young people gyrating to the music as they moved from stall to stall.
One thing was most noticeable; it was a family outing for many of the visitors, young couples with little children flocked to the place. No doubt the festival was a blend of the rich diverse culinary flavours of Lagos state and the rich melting pot of the indigenous people as well as residents. Different artefacts and paintings dotted the place while men on stilts moved around mingling with the crowd.
I caught up with a group of four friends Fatimah, Taofikat, Zainab, Hanifah and they gave their impression of the festival:
Zainab – “We are hoping to try new food, there is a variety here”.
Hanifah – “I was here last year, but this year’s edition is bigger and more exciting”.
Taofikat – “I was able to make new friends that I met on the bus while I was coming”.
Fatimah – “I am expecting to see celebrities, some came last year”.
Miss Boluwatife Mohammed – Came from Egbeda. She is targeting pounded yam at ile-iyan. She believes that the festival has created bond, unity among the indigenes and residents in Lagos state.
Mrs Chinonso Attansey – of Simple Nkwobi stand said It was her first time exhibiting. “Nkwobi is a delicacy of the Igbos, from the Eastern part of Nigeria” she explained.
Pitakwa Bole and Grills – The CEO, Gift Akaninwol, was here last year and she believes the festival is a good way to showcase African dishes and meet more people.
In an interview with the event organizer, Deji Shobowale, CEO of Sirocco Productions, who consults with the Lagos state Ministry of Agriculture on events and communication, the recent event was the 7th edition of the food festival. The objective is a part of the agenda by the government of the state, Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, to make a lot of entrepreneurs grow in his administration. “So what we have done is to see how agric can be made youthful and interesting to the younger demographics.
“What we did differently this year, we had a competition for university students, so we went to UNILAG, LASPOTECH and LASU, where we had a cooking competition. The winners from there came to represent the schools at the festival. LASU eventually won the competition.
“This year also, we had diversity of food: Mexican, Lebanese, Ghanaian, Hausa and Igbo. The Hausa man came from Obalende. He showcased Northern delicacies such as; Fura de Nunu, Tuwo Shinkafi etc.”.
On what to expect in next year’s edition, Mr Deji Shobowale replied, “We have done a ‘Taste of Culture’, ‘Taste of Africa’, ‘Taste of Lagos’, and next year, we are going international. We will bring in international chefs, international artistes, and we will try and partner with an Embassy, maybe French Embassy”.
So, for the food enthusiasts, fun seekers, entrepreneurs in the agriculture sector, the Lagos state food festival 2025 is the place to be, as you mark your calendar.
By our Reporter
