Indigenes of Abia have inaugurated a Nigerian food festival in South Africa to create jobs and earn foreign exchange.

Mr Chima Umealo, the President, Abia Progressives Union, South Africa, said on telephone on Sunday that the food festival was inaugurated to promote Nigerian delicacies to South Africans.

“The aim of the festival is to exhibit some Nigerian dishes, create employment for Nigerian chefs, boost importation of Nigerian food and earn foreign exchange.”

Umealo said a survey carried out by the union showed that Nigerian food was in high demand in South Africa.

According to him, the event is an opportunity to showcase some of the food and introduce it to South Africans.

Umealo said that the enthusiasm and attendance at the occasion was overwhelming while chefs could cash in the opportunity to get jobs.

“We also used the occasion to exhibit the rich cultural heritage we have in Nigerian food. It is going to be an annual event.”

Nigerian food on display, he said, included egusi soup, okro soup, yam, fried plantain, plantain porridge, akara (bean cake), Garri, pounded yam, vegetables, native soup and bread fruit (Ukwa).

The President of Nigeria Union, South Africa, Mr Ikechukwu Anyene, who also spoke on phone, commended the organisers of the event for exhibiting Nigerian food.

“This is a great opportunity to exhibit the rich culture of our country through food and encourage our people to export Nigerian food.”

Anyene also urged Nigerians living in South Africa to be law abiding and be good ambassadors of the country.

Nigerians have initiated similar festivals in Glasgow, Scotland, where assorted Nigerian recipes are displayed and in most cases served in restaurants conspicuously written “Nigerian foods ready to be served.” (NAN)

•Photo shows Nigerian dish

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