Nigeria National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism Food Fair holds next month

The National Institute for Hospitality and Tourism [NIHOTOUR] is organising an international food fair, scheduled to hold from May 6-10, 2014 at the Eagle Square in Abuja.

Christened, ‘Nigerian Food and Cultural Fair’, the event is a baby of the management of the institute, aimed at bringing together experts and food enthusiasts from across the country; just as it’s expected and designed to promote Nigerian cuisines.

It is also an addition to the calendar travel and tourism programmes in the country.

Dr. Munzali Dantata, director general of NIHOTOUR, who made this known recently, noted that though the institute has exhibited in the past in Beijing, Abuja, Lagos, Dubai and London; however, this year’s fair is special because of Nigeria’s centenary celebration, which the institute is using to trace Nigeria’s food and cuisines history since 1914.
According to him, “In 1914, Nigeria’s population was 17 million people, at Independence, it was 55million and in 2014, it’s estimated at 170 million people,” he pontificated.

“Am sure and convinced that the eating habit of the North that is known and associated with tuwo masara/shinkafa, has expanded; the Igbo and their traditional onugbo soup has expanded, the Yorubas’ gbegiri and ewedu have long been expanded to include so many other delicacies, just as the Niger Delta axis that is also known for their banga soup and edikankong,” he added.
Dantata said Nigerian meals can be internationalised, just like the Chinese, Thai, Japanese, India, among others that have all become household names globally.
The fair will also create a platform, through which many industries can effectively promote their brands in a relaxed and receptive atmosphere. “Nigerian Food and Cultural Fair’ is not just about food and drinks, but a total lifestyle, therefore, creating the platform for the effective promotion of a wide range of products,” Dantata noted.
Nigerian Food and Cultural Fair is an event, where visitors will be able to sample dishes from the finest Nigerian cooks and chefs; unique and flavourful local delicacies, interact with prolific celebrity and experience world-renowned luxury brands right here in Abuja.
With many exhibitors expected from many industry that are associated with makers of cooking, beverage, storage facilities in attendance, there won’t be a dull moment at the Nigerian Food and Cultural Fair.
In addition to exciting restaurant and lifestyle exhibitors, the festival will be bursting with activities to keep the crowd entertained with live music, where live cooking demonstrations will be showcased.
Visitors will also learn how to prepare their favourite Nigerian cuisines and learn more about Nigeria’s food history.
The 4-day event is expected to receive over 100,000 visitors. “They would be mainly well-travelled young professionals and families, who are food, drink, art and lifestyle enthusiasts.
“We also expect a high turnout of the expatriates and diplomatic communities respectively,” Dantata revealed.
Established in 1988 by a tripartite agreement between the Nigerian Government, the United Nations Development Programme [UNDP] and the International Labour Organisation [ILO] in 1987, NIHOTOUR has since its inception trained well over 5,000 skilled and craft trainees, servicing the various sectors of the Nigeria’s Travel, Tourism and Hospitality industry.