World Food Day: Celebrities, Others Rock Ofada Rice Festival In Lagos

The Muri Okunola Park, Victoria Island, Lagos, was the place to be recently, as fun-loving Lagosians converged at the open-air venue for the maiden edition of Ofada rice Festival.

With notable celebrities such as Sir Shina Peter, Debola Lagos, Segun Arinze, Tee-A, Denrele, Yaw and others on parade, there was no dull moment at the gig that turned into a mini carnival. Ambassador Karo, Ono Bello, Lara Rawa, Destiny Amaka and a host of other celebrities were also on ground to add colour to the celebration of Nigeria’s food culture.

An initiative of Nigerian’s leading indigenous restaurant and outdoor catering company, Ofada Boy, in partnership with Ministry of Agriculture, the show was put together as part of activities to mark the 2019 World Food Day. The event had the support of brands such as Malta Guinness, Origin, Maggi, Abinibi Cottage Event, Nescafe and others.

Hosted by ace comedian Gbenga Adeyinka and Prince Hyenana, guests were treated to an evergreen performances from Afro Juju music creator Sir Shina Peters, who took the audience down memory lane with his vintage tunes. Other artistes such as Jimi Solanke, Squad 1 Productions, Awesome Band, Ed Izycs also got slots to entertain the crowd.

Activities at the whole day event owned to its billing as various recipes of ofada rice and other tasteful meal were displayed and tasted by elated guests with traditional touch from Gbadun, Sanje, Apoti, Stainless and notable other drink and food vendors.
 
Meanwhile, some lucky guest went home with various gift items such as free Dubai ticket for a farmers and one winner from the online ofada rice challenge, plus one hectare of land by Lagos State Ministry of Agriculture, TV set, pressing iron and blenders.
 
Speaking at the event, Special Adviser to the Governor on Food Security, Ms Abisola Olusanya, noted that food security and availability is one of the pivotal plans of the present administration as activities around food promotion, farmer care is very keen to the government.
 
She added that, Ofada Rice Day, represent one of the activities that will not only promote a healthy meal but also call the attention of Lagosian and Nigerians at large to the importance of appreciating our brand of rice. Honourable Commissioner for Agriculture, Prince Gbolahan Lawal, applauded the Ofada Boy and his team for coming up with such a laudable idea to support government in taking ofada rice to global attention.