Residents of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), who attended the food fair organised as part of activities at the ongoing Abuja Carnival, have described it as a “diversity of cultural dishes’’.
The fair which held at the Old Parade Ground, Abuja on Sunday featured five states namely; Bayelsa, Delta, Kogi, Katsina and Gombe.
In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Dr. Jerry Agbaji, the Acting Permanent Secretary, Kogi State Ministry of Culture and Tourism said that the food fair was aimed at celebrating Nigeria’s rich cultural diversity.
“The food fair focuses on celebrating the cultural diversity that exists in Nigeria.
“We are able to come here and meet different people from different cultures and learn about their cuisine.
“Food is a big symbol of culture, so we want to encourage Nigerians to consume less of these processed foods which are bad for the health and consume more of the food attained in our lands.
“I also think that it is important for parents to instill in their children the importance of eating and cooking our local dishes which are known to be healthy.
“When you travel internationally, you find African shops located in various countries and that means that Nigerians can always indulge in healthy local dishes instead of processed western foods like noodles.’’
He added that the low turnout of participants at the food fair was as a result of the current economic recession in the country.
Agbaji, however, expressed joy that a few states attended the event.
Dr. Bashir Sallam, the Executive Director, Katsina State History and Culture Bureau, said “I am glad that such an event exists because it enables Nigerians to come together and celebrate our cultural similarities and differences.
“We have here the major dishes and delicacies of our state which are all grown on our farms and have helped create jobs for indigenes of Katsina State.
“We want people to know why we enjoy delicacies like Waina, Sobo, Dubulan and more.”
The Director of Tourism, Delta State Ministry of Culture and Tourism, who simply gave her name as Mrs Onokpe told NAN that the event was necessary to promote Nigerian dishes.
According to her, there is also the need to encourage youths to learn how to prepare them.
“Nigerian dishes are very rich in taste and nutrition and every dish represents something.
“Delta state alone has many tribes and we have dishes such as Banga soup, Ofe Nsala, Ukpoka and more which are used for ceremonial events.
“As Nigerians seem to be leaning toward more of processed foods, it will be nice to have our traditional food promoted by youths within Nigeria and internationally,” she said.
Other foods on display include ogbono soup, bean soup, fisherman tea, gbegiri and assorted and spicy snails. (NAN)