NTDC Exhibits Nigerian Cuisine, Culture at London Olympics

Reports say that the exhibition, which is part of efforts to showcase Nigeria’s culture and heritage, had on display foods from various parts of the country.

The cuisines include ``Edikang Ikong’’, ``Egusi’’ soup, pounded yam, ``Amala’’, ``Tuwo Shinkafa’’, ``Ofe Nsala’’  and ``Efori’’.

Also on display are bags and shoes made from Nigerian fabric.

Chief Olusegun Runsewe, the Director General of NTDC, who spoke on the initiative, said that Nigeria was blessed with good heritage and culture.
 
``Our rich heritage and culture, including our food, remain a huge tourism potential for the country; we need to market ourselves and that is what we are doing here at the London Olympics,’’ he said.

Runsewe stressed that Nigeria’s participation at the games would be incomplete without the presence of NTDC, adding: ``The Olympics are a window to showcase Nigeria and tell our story through our culture, food.’’

He, however, urged Nigerians abroad to be patriotic and protect the country’s image, adding, however, that there was a need to reawaken their consciousness in that regard.

``The latest strategy of selling any country relates to its strength, weaknesses, opportunities and trends. As Nigerians, we have stopped discussing our weaknesses; we are now discussing our strengths,’’ Runsewe stressed.
Some of the visitors at the exhibition stand described Nigerian foods as tasty and nourishing.

``The vegetable soup is very tasty, although it is full of various ingredients; I enjoy it with the white ball (pounded yam),’’ Mr Levette Scout, a Briton, said.

In a related development, the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) also staged an International Photography Exhibition of the Abuja Carnival.

Mr Adeniyi Olagunju, Special Assistant to the FCT Minister of State, said that the pictures illustrated the different lifestyles and cultures of Nigerian citizens.

He explained that the exhibition was also aimed at informing the people, including Nigerians living in UK, about life in Abuja.

Besides, Olagunju expressed the hope that the displayed photographs would be useful in efforts to woo visitors and tourists to come and visit the city.

Also, Prof Brian Catling, a professor of Fine Arts at the Ruskin School of Fine Arts, Oxford University, said that

although it was easy to take pictures at carnivals, finding humanity in the pictures ``is something very special’’, as portrayed by all the works on display.

He described the photographs as ``an invitation’’ to people to come and witness the events physically.

``It gives an invitation; it invites you to be at the very place where these pictures have been taken. As I look at the people, I understand I will be accepted at the ceremonies on display in the photographs.

``There is movement, there is colour and there is life in the photographs,’’ Catling said. 
Reports say that 17 pictures from various Nigerian states are on display at the two-day exhibition.