The Lagos State First Lady, Mrs Ibijoke Sanwo-Olu has commended Ambassador Ikechi Uko and the entire Akwaaba African Market team for sustaining the platform and for promoting African tourism, business networking, cultural exchange, and collaboration.
She noted that over the years, Akwaaba has provided a valuable platform for tourism professionals.
Speaking while declaring the 22nd Akwaaba African Travel Market open
in Lagos, Mrs Sanwo Olu noted that events such as Akwaaba provide an avenue to showcase “the richness of our culture
Our creativity, our warmth and the enormous potential of Lagos as a destination for business, pleasure, leisure, entertainment and investments”.
She expressed delight with the Jollof Rice war introduced by Uko which has become an exciting celebration of Africa’s culinary heritage, diversity and creativity.
“Food is much more than nourishment. It carries our history, it tells our stories, it connects communities and creates opportunities.
And offcourse, Nigerian Jollof Rice has earned its own place on our tables and menus all over the world. There’s no dispute. We know there’s Ghana Jollof Rice, Sierra Leone, Gambia Jollof Rice.
But you’re in Lagos and this is Nigeria, so Nigerian Jollof Rice is the best. No discussion, she said.
The First Lady stated that the inclusion of the Jollof Rice war in Akwaaba is a laudable initiative, because it creates an opportunity for young people to witness and participate in a professional culinary environment.
In her words: “This is especially meaningful to us, because some of the young boys from our 2026 edition of the Lagos Boy Child Initiative, who have shown remarkable interest and developed skills in culinary art, are here today to participate. I am proud to recognize Joel, Goodluck, and Daniel. In cases like this, we are committed to encouraging our boys to discover their talents, acquire practical skills, and develop the confidence and character required to become productive, responsive, and self-reliant members of the society.
We don’t want our boys to end up as yahoo-yahoo boys. It’s particularly fulfilling when skills acquired through such programs translate into real opportunities as we witness today. I therefore encourage stakeholders in the tourism and hospitality industry to continue creating pathways for young people to participate meaningfully in this sector”.
Mrs Sanwo Olu pointed out that
from culinary arts and hospitality to travel management, event production, entertainment, and destination marketing, the opportunities are vast, adding that
the young people must be equipped to take advantage of them.
She said Honorable Solomon Bonu, chairman Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Tourisn is
going to talk to the House of Assembly to ensure that Lagos State improves its tourism industry and encourages things like this.
Ibijoke added that she has no fear about the government supporting tourism and Akwaaba and all that.
By bringing people together and bringing different ideas from all parts of Africa and beyond, Akwaaba continues to demonstrate the possibilities that exist when we tell our own stories, promote our destination, and celebrate our unique cultural assets, the First Lady said.
She encouraged all participants to embrace the spirit of healthy competition, creativity, collaboration, and innovation including more more ideas coming from Akwaaba.
The First Lady stated further that: “May the Jollof Rice war not only be a celebration of culinary excellence, but also a reminder of the power of our culture to connect people and create opportunities”.
