Between neigbouring African countries, receiving compliments for an exquisitely unique array of indigenous cuisines might not be such a big deal — considering the continent’s marked heterogeneity.
But such ceases to be the case when renowned figures from strikingly divergent climes and distant subcultures repeatedly bare their obsession with local delicacies with which they are least expected to be familiar.
Years after Ed Sheeran had visited Ghana, the award-winning English record producer and guitarist seems to have clung to the continent’s socio-cultural norms as he recently revealed plans to visit Nigeria.
What seems to have attracted attention was his complimentary remarks about the country’s jollof rice — a cuisine he wasted no time in revealing he has heard much about and look forward to having.
“I’ve got to get back to Africa. After the tour I want to go and chill out there. I was in Ghana a few years back and I loved it. Now I need to go to Nigeria. I heard the jollof rice is really good there,” the ‘Shape of You’ crooner told The Sun.
The gifted singer made this known just days after he opened up about the darker side of fame.
Among other renowned celebrated icons, Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Facebook, had made similar comments after his professional visit to Lagos in 2017.
He had revealed his associates dissuaded him on the idea of indulging excessively in local cuisines but he defiantly ordered Jollof rice, pounded yam, and snail soup — the first being his favorite pick.
“It was delicious, I loved it. I was told not to compare the jollof rice with that of neigbouring countries, so we’ll stop there,” Zuckerberg was quoted to have said.
In 2018, Denys Gauer, ambassador of France to Nigeria, had said “jollof rice was his favourite Nigerian dish.“ (The Cable)
