To some, this should not be an issue of discussion, but for Nigerians, one of the happiest countries in the world, the World Jollof Rice Day must be celebrated.
Whether you are rich or poor, men or women, boy or girl eating jollof rice seem something like a tradition of some sort. Nigerians eagerly attend parties with the hope of having a plate of jollof rice.
The importance of jollof rice to Nigerians is so high that even telecommunications giants like Airtel and Etisalat were not left out of the celebration as they took time to congratulate Nigerians for this celebration.
The #tag which has been trending since Saturday, has also afforded many Nigerians the opportunity to recall funny past experiences with preparing and eating jollof rice.
Some used the opportunity to warn others to leave any party they attend without jollof rice in the menu.
Although contestable, Bimpe Bisoye, reckons that jollof rice served at burial ceremonies are the sweetest. This she says is followed by those served at wedding ceremonies while those served at birthday parties or other parties come least on her rankings.
For Airtel Nigeria, using @AirtelNigeria with a photograph to match, said: “don’t let anybody treat you like white rice; you are Jollof Rice; the life of the Party! Happy #WorldJollofRiceDay.”
Jollof Rice Day
A Nigerian using the handle: @Em_Odd, said: “let us take time to celebrate this one food that has saved many lives in this part of d world..happy #worldjollofriceday”
For Enitan Jacobson using @jeycube2 on Twitter, “making jollof rice trend is one thing, knowing how to cook It is another thing.”
In a series of tweets, Abubakar Babangida using @Abubakarbabang7, said: “Boyfri-end Girlfri-end Fri-end. Everything has an end but jollof rice has no end. #WorldJollofRiceDay
“Behind all that sweet jollof rice , there is a burnt story and someone washing that pot #WorldJollofRiceDay
“The best part of Jollof rice is the bottom of the pot residual! It’s sweeter than the top 1 #WorldJollofRiceDay.”
Another Nigerian, using @officialdaddymo warned those comparing Nigerian kind of jollof rice with that of Ghana saying this could amount to racism.
She however said the important of jollof rice is that deep to be abandoned. “You are allowed to leave a wedding reception if there is no jollof rice on the menu. #WorldJollofRiceDay.”
On how to celebrate #WorldJollofRiceDay, El-Nathan, a social commentator, said: “find any wedding near you, ask for jollof, find the next wedding, ask for jollof. Repeat until evening.”
Hakeem who tweets @Bhadoosky, said: “as we celebrate #WorldJollofRiceDay today, I say happy birthday ‘Jollof Rice’. LLNP.”
Celebrated on 22 August, the origin of Jollof rice has remained a subject of great debate in West Africa, as many countries have their own version, and abhor ‘inauthentic variations’, according to Wikipedia.
“However, it’s origin is traced to the Wolof people of the modern day Senegal and The Gambia.
“The most common basic ingredients include rice, tomatoes and tomato paste, onions, salt, and hot red pepper. Beyond that, nearly any kind of meat, vegetable, or spice can be added.
“The dish consists of rice, tomatoes and tomato paste, onions, salt, spices (such as nutmeg, ginger, Scotch bonnet (pepper), and cumin) and chili peppers; optional ingredients can be added such as vegetables, meats, or fish,” Wikipedia says.
