Last evening while enjoying the screening of the best of Nollywood, I became inquisitive on what goes into the mouths of all at the occasion and I decided to go round the venue (The City Mall) to check out what the audience is eating.

The Jury’s table was filled with an array of assorted snacks- Gala (a beef- filled snack) and bottled water. I got impressed because with the pace they were going, it is evident that a lot would still be left on the table. So, I checked with the stars present.

Richard Mofe-Damijo, a Nollywood star that was also part of Critical Assignment came with his beautiful wife and they were both enjoying the scenes from one of Nollywood’s all-time best films, Saworoide, with popcorns.

I bumped into Omotola Jalade-Ekeinde a screen goddess. She seems to be fasting because, apart from her thick lipstick, nothing seems to be on her lips. The rest of the audience seems to be diverse in what they are eating.

I would like to bring to the limelight, two distinct snacks that seemed to be unique, and these are Boli (roasted plantain) and Suya (roasted meat). The press covering the event extensively took Boli. I couldn’t stop admiring the chewing sounds produced by the process of mastication. I was also forced to try it and believe me, it is an awesomely tasty snack that is readily available and relatively cheap. I parted with fifty Naira (about fifty US cents) to get mine. It is best taken with roasted groundnuts and, trust me, it is always a mind-blowing experience!

Boli is made from plantain and one thing you need to know is that a lot of things could be done to or with plantain. If you fry the ripe one it is 'dodo,' if you fry the unripe one it becomes 'chips,' if you roast it, it then becomes the 'BOLI.’ They are all plantain.

Now for some real proudly Nigerian stuff. In line with the Federal Government's renewed drive to encourage exports, a group of experts have come up with suggestions on how to improve the image of our local products by making their names attractive and in line with International Standards on exports:

• Kuli kuli - Peanut bars
• Donkuwa/ Robo Alata - Hot Charcolit nuts
• Kilishi - Beef Crackers
• Dundun - Yamarita (WHATTT)
• Fried Potato - Potarita (lolll right)
• Pako/Atu (Chewing stick) - Dental Stickos
• Boli - Barbecue Plantain
• Roasted corn - Corn Aflame
• Eko - Corn Jellos
• Moin moin - Bean pie
• Isi ewu - Goat-hed o lickins’ (remember your fingers)
• Garri - Grain o' fibres
• Bokoto/ Nkwobi - Hoof salad
• Ogi/Akamu - Corn Caramel
• Puff Puff - Energy Buns
• Chin Chin - Dough Rocks
• Zobo - Juice Rosa Afrik
• Kunnu - Grain Alive
• Burundi - Cocno Jaw-Breakers
• Bread and Akara - Bean cake Burger
• Ofada rice - Unpolished Rice for Vegetarians
• Adalu - Lentils & Grain Salad

This is not a joke because I did not come up with them. These are some of the unique cuisines we are savoring and enjoying on this side of the planet. As unique as they seem to be, quite a number of foreigners are embracing and becoming addicted to them. It’s worth the trial and they are relatively affordable to all and sundry.

with a household name in the Nigerian film industry. You will surely not wish to miss this.

It is on this note that I will be signing out today. Ciao