By Emma Emeozor
With the words: Bon appetito! Consul General, Ugo Boni welcomed guests of the Consulate to sumptuous Italian dishes to mark the eighth edition of the ‘Week of the Italian Cuisine in the World’ held in Lagos.
Two celebrated Italian chefs: Michelangelo Sparapano and Fabio Tira demonstrated their professionalism and competence in cooking delicious, tasty and mouth-watering Italian cuisines, as they treated Nigerian friends of the Consulate, including Italians, diplomats and other nationalities to a night of “well-being with taste”.
In a chat with Daily Sun, Boni explained that the event was part of efforts to promote Italian food in Lagos. The Consul was elated when he said that the Consulate has been able to bring to the table special Italian menu for Nigerians to feel how Italian cuisines taste as well as experience the nutritional value of the country’s food.
He said: “Today’s event summaries perfectly how nutrition is a fundamental component of our health. Italian cuisine, based on the Mediterranean diet and high-quality ingredients, is rightly considered among the healthiest in the world. Our food is good for people doing sports and indeed, for everybody and every age.”
The diplomat noted that Italian food is yet to be popular in Lagos because few restaurants serve it due to the low population of Italians resident here (Lagos).
According to him, Italian cuisine is popular in many countries and can be found in the restaurants with high patronage by the people. He said the interest Nigerians have shown in Italian cuisine over time also encouraged him to organise this year’s edition of the event.
Buno observed that Nigeria was growing daily with increasing population and therefore, “We hope to do more than this next year. We want to encourage the establishment of more restaurants in Lagos. This will help to popularise our diets and more Nigerians will enjoy it.
“Of course, we are receiving encouraging responses from Nigerians. Nigerians like travelling; some of the people I have spoken to have been to Italy and they are interested in life in Italy, they appreciate our lifestyle. Italy has a long tradition of friendship with Nigeria.”
On Nigeria-Italian cultural exchange, Boni expressed happiness, saying that it is encouraging. “Many Nigerians are travelling to Italy for academic pursuit, for example, and here in Lagos, there are many Nigerians who are interested in learning the Italian language.”
Boni disclosed that there are several initiatives to promote Nigeria-Italian relations through the event. Such initiatives include Italian design day, Italian language, sports nutrition, wine-tasting and pasta party.
President of Cycling Federation of Nigeria, Italy-born Chief Giandomewico Massari and 1977 World Champion of Road Race Cycling, Alessandra Cappellotto graced the event along with some members of Nigeria Para-Cycling team. They included Africa Champion, Ukpeseraye Ese Lovina and Tijani Oyindamola Abudullahi.
“I want Nigerians to include Italian food in their list of menu because it is easy to find the ingredients and anybody can learn how to prepare our cuisine through YouTube. I really encourage Nigerians to taste Italian cuisine. One thing that we Italians have in common with our Nigerian friends is certainly the love for food and traditions, and I sincerely hope that this event will contribute to ignite interest in Italian cuisine and the values associated with it, and to create a further bridge between our people.”
In his comments, Massari said that events such as the ‘Week of the Italian Cuisine in the World’ would help to promote cultural integration between Nigerians and Italians.
“Today’s event is good because it is a blend of food and culture. Food is very important for everybody and event like this has good result for cultural exchange between nations,” he said.
On the activities of the Federation of Cycling, he said that both male and female teams were doing well. “They have achieved very high results. Before now, Nigeria was not known in cycling. But with committed work, particularly with the female cyclists, Nigeria has qualified three times at the world championship.
“And at the moment, one of the female cyclers has qualified for the World Championship. This was made possible because there is commitment on their part. They are putting in their best with a lot of sacrifice, a lot of efforts, a lot of readiness to learn to improve themselves not only in physique but also to achieve the best result(s).
“They are conscious of the fact that the society needs good example, particularly from its citizens who are involved in the cycling sport. Setting good example attracts others to have interest in the sport.”
Asked if the Federation of Cycling was facing any challenge, Massari said the challenges are several. “The encompassing challenge is finance. Because to maintain the level to be able to improve to win medals, adequate funding is required to train, feed, get good equipment, to travel from one location to another to participate in competitions, etc.”
He added that the Ministry of Sports was trying its best. “I don’t want to blame it because it is making good policies to enhance the performance of members of the Federation, it is providing an enabling environment for the teams to practice.
“But I believe that the private sector is the one that can assist us in sport development, because the sports men and women can also promote their (company) brands which will attract potential clients to patronise their products in return for their support to the Federation.”