Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the winner of the 2021 edition of the Big Brother Naija reality TV show, Hazel Oyeye Onou, popularly known as Whitemoney, on Sunday displayed their culinary skills when they cooked at the unveiling of this year’s Lagos State Food Festival.
The maiden Lagos State Food Festival kicked off on Sunday with an unfamiliar chef – Mr. Governor himself, Babajide Sanwo-Olu at the Muri Okunola Park I Victoria Island.
Clad in a black apron, the Governor set up the symbolic outdoor kitchen and prepared stir fried rice, the official meal of the occasion, in the full glare of the public.
According to a statement signed by the Sanwo-Olu’s Chief Press Secretary, Gboyega Akosile, the Governor assisted the guest chef (White Money) to deliver the Lagos delicacy made from onion, smoked fish, mixed granules of bonga fish and crayfish, pepper and seasoning.
The audience roared in excitement, as the Governor and White Money served the hot meal to sensory panelists who confirmed the quality of the cuisine.
This signalled the beginning of the event organised by the Ministry of Agriculture on a day that the new Lagos State policy of barring unvaccinated persons from social events.
It’s not known if covid19 vaccination cards were a prerequisite for entering the event.
The initiative, formerly known as Seafood Festival, is a yearly event hosted by the State Government to exhibit local delicacies and agricultural commodities produced in Lagos for international market.
There were more than 300 different foods, drinks, aqua products and agricultural commodities exhibited at the event. There was also a variety of games for children on the field.
The Governor encouraged the sellers to take advantage of the Lagos State Employment Trust Fund (LSETF) to grow their businesses, noting that part of the event’s objectives was to boost the entrepreneurial spirit of the residents.
Sanwo-Olu said the administration remained committed to promoting growth of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), adding that his government continually carried out reforms to ensure ease of doing business in Lagos.