Theme: Protecting and Promoting Indigenous Food Recipes Using the Digital Environment. (Teens Can Cook Festival)
On Thursday October 6, 2022 the UNESCO Institute for African Culture and International Understanding, Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library organized a programme titled ‘teens can cook festival’ which was designed essentially to teach young Africans various Indigenous food prepared by the major ethnic groups in Nigeria and learn about the diversity of cultural expressions as enshrined in the 2005 Convention.
The event was held at Ark of the Lord Missionary School, situated at N0 1, Isaac Ibu-ofu Street, Thomas Estate Ajah, and Lagos State.
The Director of the IACIU, Professor Emeritus Peter Okebukola OFR, in his welcome address stated that the major desire of the event is to encourage cultural ambassadors to realize that African food is not just a commodity, but it is a veritable vehicle of identity, value and meaning. He added that that young Africans should make use of various social media platforms to promote the Indigenous food recipes.
The cooking competition had in attendance dignitaries across the country, staff of the Institute for African Culture and International Understanding, teenagers, Judges and teachers.
The event was a huge success, the teenagers participated in the event and demonstrated their cooking skills in the preparation of the Indigenous meals. The judges tasted the food and a winner was declared.
In a statement by the Organizer of the event, Mrs. Loveline Nwachuku, she stated that with the fast changing generation’s lifestyles, people tend to prefer processed foods over and above our indigenous cuisine. It is, common knowledge that generations of today are not attaching much significance to the indigenous delicacies. Hence, there is urgent need to teach young Africans how to prepare African dishes and preserve it recipes. ‘’Teenagers should be encouraged to prepare Africans various Indigenous food’’ she stated.
