CONSUL GENERAL UGO BONI HOSTS A CAPTIVATING EVENT IN LAGOS

BY AYISAT NAALLAH

Food is essential to life and livelihood. It is an important aspect of human affairs without which all living components of the planet faces the risks of rapid extinction. Due to its ever-increasing importance food surplus, security and sustenance have become issues of national governance, regional focus and global concerns.

Consul General Boni during his welcome speech

Food is not only about nourishment:  it is also a form of culture that brings people together. Hence responsive governments around the world are making food business tools of global diplomacy and development, and Italy, a revered European nation is also at the forefront of international culinary diplomacy.

Broadly Known as a home of good food, great chefs, tasteful wines and a profitable agric-food chain that continues to keep citizens and visitors well-fed and wanting more, Italy deeply understands the benefits of global connections and is ambitiously promoting goodwill and building relationships between individuals, communities, organizations and nations; communicating right messaging; fostering diplomatic partnership; establishing fondest friendships, preserving traditions and enhancing global hospitality through traditional and modern food practices, preservations and promotions

Chef Sparapano addressing the guests on the list of menu prepared for the event’s dinner

Following these, the Italian government stepped up efforts through the Italian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other agencies such as the Italian Trade Agency and Italian Cultural Institutes via the launch of ’The Week of Italian Cuisine in the World’: an annual event promoting Italian cuisines through its diplomatic channels consisting of Embassies, Consulates and Cultural Institutes.

Chief Massari with hat on, Ms Cappellotto ( in white suits holding the sovenir), Ms Ukpeseraye, Mr Abdul and other members poses for a picture.

The initiative since inception in 2015 as witnessed tremendous growth cutting across 100 countries with more than 9000 activities and still thriving. Through this laudable effort Italy is strengthening its identity and spreading the gospel of best culinary practices and wine connoisseurship around the world, and Italian Heads of Mission, Envoys and Country Representatives abroad are relentlessly vanguarding this unique national pursuit and ensuring it achieves its intended goal.

Cross-section of guests at the evening reception

Pursuant to this, nations around the world where Italy has cordial relations with witnessed another vibrant annual festival of ‘The Week of Italian Cuisine in the World’, the 8th Edition in its series, held simultaneously worldwide from the 13-19th November 2023. Nigeria, a friend of Italy also enjoyed a fair share of Italian foods, flavours and favours through an exciting and a looked-forward-to programme organised by the Italian Mission in Nigeria. Again, The Italian Consulate General in Lagos was at the forefront of this promotion in Lagos as it hosted to the delight of many an igniting and interesting annual event of Italian good food and productive lifestyle.

Dining with the Italian cuisine: well-being with taste, this year edition theme kicked off in Lagos with a range of activities including a round table discussion organised in collaboration with the Cycling Federation of Nigeria on the Mediterranean Diet, Sport wine tasting, fine dining, sports nutrition, pasta party among others.

Spanish Consul General Jose Ferre discussing with other guests.

At the Dinner Reception organised by Consul General Ugo Boni at Lagos Continental Hotel on the 16th November 2023, erudite and elated Mr. Ugo Boni during his opening speech thanked the attendees ”Friends of Italy and the Consulate General” for honouring his invitation. He also went down a short memory lane on the reasons and benefits of the initiative, and briefly introduced to his guests the respected Italian Chef Michelangelo Sparapano who prepared the various menu served during the dinner. The Consul General also appreciated the various sponsors and supporters who made the Lagos event and dinner worthwhile.

The President of Cycling Federation of Nigeria, Chief Giandomenico Massari (FCISM), (an executive and exemplary member of Africa Cycling Federation who has contributed in no small term to cycling growth in the country and continent), who also attended and spoke during the dinner used the opportunity of gathering to highlight the activities of the Federation and further solicit for partnership and funding support for its functionality and sustainable success.

Consul General Bobby Moroe with wife at the occasion

Other members of the Cycling Federation (members of the national team) also present at the dinner were afforded the opportunities to deliver brief speeches. Both Ms. Ukpeseraye Ese Lovina, Nigerian Female Cyclist Champion and the nation’s Para Cyclist winner (visually impaired), Mr. Damola Abdul, thanked their President, Chief Massari for his unrelenting development efforts and also canvassed for increased collaborations for improved performances, more medals winning and international glories for Nigeria. World renown and respected Italian Biking Champion Mrs Alessandra Cappellotto who spoke on the partnership between both countries and progress made so far in Nigeria  also had an educative slide presentation. Mr. Olumide Oyedeji, former NBA player and vice President of National Olympic Committee (NOC) equally gave an applauding goodwill message on behalf of the President of the NOC.

Compere Benita: a professional MC per excellence

Mr. Jose Ferre, Consul General of Spain in Lagos and Consul General of South Africa in Lagos, Prof Bobby Moroe  were among colleagues’ diplomats and VIPs present at the event.

Invited guests were treated to exquisite wine tasting and wide arrays of Italian menu served during the dinner some of which include:

APPERTIZER

Antipasto

BREAD TASTING-FOCACCINE AND TARALLI WITH EXRA VIRGIN OIL

Degustazione di pane, focaccine e taralli con oilo extra vergine

PRAWNS WITH A COCKTAIL SAUCE

Gamberi in salse all’ Italiana

FIRST MAIN

PRIMI 

RISOTTO MADE WITH PARMESAN CHEESE, PORCINI MUSHROOM RAGU SAUCE, PORK (CHEEK), WITH SPRING ONION CREAM

Risotto al parmigiana, ragu’ di funghi porcini, guanciale e crema di cipollotto

TORTELLONI FILLED RICOTTA AND SPINACH, WITH PESTO TOMATO AND LIGHT GORGONZOLASAUCE (ITALIAN BLUE SAUCE)

Tortelloni in farcia di ricotta e spinanci, pesto di pomodoro datterino e salsa leggera al gorgonzola

MAIN COURSE

SECONDO

FILLET OF CROAKER IN A COURGETTE CRUST ON BURNED TOMATO WITH OLIVES AND CAPERS ON A POTATO CREAM WITH EXTRA VIRGIN OIL

Filleto di ombrina in crosta di zucchini su pomodoro abbrustolito con olive e capperi su vellutata di patate all’olio extravergine di olive

FILLET WITH GREEN PEPPER AND TRUFFLE POTATONMILLEFOGLIE DESSERT

Filletto al pepe verde millefoglie di patate al tartufo dessert

DESERT

Tiramisu

Here is thanking Console Generale Ugo Boni, his wonderful wife and a great hostess, Mrs Gulzhanat Kaiyrbekova, and the Consolato Generale d’Italia Lagos staff for putting up a captivating event. The dinner time was a beautiful evening of music, merriment and mingling professionally anchored by the Lady in Red, elegant Ms Benita.

ANIM BOSS, Mr Olumide Ogunlade at the event

LONG LIVE ITALY-NIGERIA TIES

Acclaim Nigeria International Magazine was there and covered the occasion.