Right: Dr. Pereira Sheteolu, Programme Manager of the Lagos State Agriculture Development Authority, who represented the Special Adviser to the Governor on Food Security, Alhaji Sanni Okanlawon, receiving an award on behalf of Governor Akinwunmi Ambode’s at Taste of Lagos: Celebrity Edition held in Lagos recently.

The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode, has been honoured with the Grand Promoter of ‘Eat Nigeria’ Project Award 2016 at the maiden Celebrity edition of ‘Taste of Lagos,’ which took place recently at the Freedom Park, Lagos.

Organisers of the event, Iconic Events Ltd, said Governor Ambode was honoured with the award in recognition of his government’s commitment to food security and tourism.

Taste of Lagos is an annual event that aims at celebrating the indigenous cuisines of Lagos whilst establishing the city of Lagos in the league of other famous City-based Food and Drinks festival such as Taste of Dubai; Taste of London; Taste of Cape Town and Taste of Chicago, amongst several others.

The award was received on behalf of the Governor by Dr. Pereira Sheteolu, the Programme Manager of the Lagos State Agriculture Development Authority, who represented the Special Adviser to the Governor on Food Security, Alhaji Sanni Okanlawon, at the event.

Project Co-ordinator of Taste of Lagos, Mr. Abiodun Fagbohun, described the Celebrity Edition of Taste of Lagos as an event that was organised to celebrate individuals and institutions that have made the consumption of ‘local’ cuisines of Lagos a delight.

“Taste of Lagos seeks to promote the food culture of Lagos State and, by extension, complement the vision of the Lagos State Government on food security and tourism,” Fagbohun said, stressing, “The project is driven by a single-minded goal to encourage Nigerians to Eat Nigeria because time has come to encourage Nigerians, particularly of the younger generation, to believe that our taste culture is not in any way inferior to any other.”

Other notable awardees at the event included Ghana High Restaurant; Kobis Restaurant, makers of ‘Kara Burger’; O’jez Restaurant; Winwin Kitchen, makers of ‘moin-moin’ pie; Amala Shitta; University of Suya; Designer’s Rice; Sean B Barbeque; Fatmot Restaurant; Belgium Restaurant; Oyogbemi Catering Services; Equal Rights Restaurants; Devon King’s Oil; Jimma Special Home food; Coke with food; F1 Bar Restaurant and Delta Kitchen. Prizes were also given to winners of the pounded yam and jollof rice eating competitions at the event.

Over 30 indigenous dishes that included ‘Amala’, ‘Pounded yam’, ‘Fufu’, ‘Tuwo’, ‘Eba’, ‘Ikokore’, ‘Gbegiri’, ‘Banga’, ‘Egusi’, ‘Okro’ and ‘Ogbono’ were served at the event during which guests were encouraged to eat as much as they could. The event was compered by renowned comedian, Koffi and Rems, the comedian whilst music accompaniments were provided by Naytan, JRB as well as Rex Suru and his band.

Dignitaries at the event included the Sole Administrator of Onigbongbo LCDA, Hon Shamsideen Oloyede Akerele; the personal assistant to the Special Adviser to the Governor on Food Security, Mr. Johnson Oluwasola as well as representatives of key sponsors, Haier Thermocool/PZ Cussons and First Bank, among others.

The General Edition of Taste of Lagos will hold from May 26 – 29, 2017 to coincide with the 50th Anniversary of the founding of Lagos State.