When Governor Sanwo-Olu became a chef

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu on Sunday became a chef. It was at this year’s Lagos Food Fest, themed, “A Taste of Lagos”.

Clad in a black apron, the governor-chef set up an outdoor kitchen at the Justice Muri Okunola Park in Victoria Island.

In the full glare of the public, Sanwo-Olu assisted by Big Brother Nigeria winner, Whitemoney, prepared fried seafood rice to the admiration of all.

The Lagos delicacy was made from onion, smoked fish, mixed granules of bonga fish and crayfish, pepper and seasoning.

The audience was full of excitement as the Governor-chef served the hot meal to panelists who confirmed the quality of the cuisine.

The Food Fest was spiced with various entertaining activities including a fashion show, music by Ayra Starr, Wande Coal and Sheyi Shay, while fish farmers displayed fresh and processed seafood.

The event was organised by the Ministry of Agriculture. 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.

After declaring the event open, Sanwo-Olu moved round to have one-on-one engagements with tradesmen who brought their products for exhibition.

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.

Speaking on the importance of the Food Festival, state Commissioner for Agriculture, Ms Abisola Olusanya explained that it was a platform for Lagosians to relax and unwind with their families during the festive season.

According to the commissioner, the food festival is a follow-up on the success story of the five editions of the erstwhile annual Lagos Seafood Festival, which was held between 2012 and 2020.