Nigeria's minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, has come under severe fire for saying Senegal's jollof rice is better than Nigeria's.
Lai Mohammed and Richard Quest
Alhaji Lai Mohammed stunned CNN audience yesterday when he said
the best Jollof rice is prepared in Senegal. A claim that seriously weakened the ‘Nigeria First’ mantra meant to encourage patronage Nigerian goods and drive the nation’s economic recovery on a special edition of Quest Means Business anchored in Lagos.
Although Mr Richard Quest was later to clarify that the Minister misunderstood his question to mean which country jollof rice originated from. “That was why he answered Senegal.” However, the damage was already done, as social media would not let Lai Mohammed off the hook over his faux pas.
Responding to a question about which country makes the best Jollof rice, the minister said: “I want to say probably Senegal.”
Jollof rice is a delicacy that is common among most countries in West Africa and in recent time there have been debate on the social media platforms about the country in the region that makes the best Jollof rice.
Quest may have been prompted to ask the question because of the raging debate.
Quest who had earlier expressed surprise at the minister’s response, however clarified that the minister misunderstood his question to mean “where did Jollof rice originate from,” which according to him was why he answered, Senegal.
However, the minister’s gaffe was clearly apparent and drew the ire of the social media, as the video went viral, with many lambasting the minister.
Below are some of their comments: