EXCITEMENT AS PAN AFRICAN INTER-NATION HOLDS JOLLOF RICE COMPETITION IN SOUTH CAROLINA
By; Jerome-Mario Utomi
The city of Columbia, the headquarters of South Carolina, United States of America (USA), on Saturday July 13, 2024, came alive as Pan African Inter-Nation, an umbrella socio cultural organization of all Africans resident in South Carolina, held its second edition of Jollof Rice Competition In South Carolina.
The Jollof Rice Competition is an annual event put together by Africans resident in South Carolina, USA, to among other objectives celebrate African continent’s rich cultural heritage particularly in the area of food.
This year’s edition which was keenly contested witnessed Liberia dethrone Gullah Geechee, the pioneer winner of the competition to emerge first position with Nigeria trailing closely in the second position.
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For their part, Haiti took third position, Gullah Geechee (African American people in Southern Carolina) came fourth, Ghana occupied fifth position while Senegal polled out of the competition at the very last minute.
The event, which was the second edition in the series, saw Grand Knight Emeritus Tonna Okei, President, South Carolina Organization of African Unity (OAU), and Cultural enthusiast championing the course of the black race in America, welcomed on behalf of the group, the Ghana Ambassador to the United States of America, Her Excellency, Madam Ambassador Hajia Alima Mahama, who was on a state visit to South Carolina, as Distinguished Guest of Honour.
Also specially welcomed to the event were Honourable Muhammad, former Majority Leader, Kaduna State House of Assembly and Agbor Delta State born Lady Doris Afam Omoile among others.
The competition had as judges, very erudite scholars, well foresighted and accomplished professionals that include; Professor Gloria Boutte (Honourable Chief Judge), Dr. Bernard Gallman, Lt Uba Okeke (Rtd), Mrs. Diana Odigili, Mrs. Marline Dessalines, Dr. Victor Oyinbo and Mrs. Stella Hansen as members.
Speaking at the ceremony which provided avenue for bilaterial talks between the members of the South Carolina Organization of Africa Unity (OAU), Pan African Inter-Nation and the Ghana Embassy in the United States of America, the Ekuku Agbor, Delta state born Tonna Okei expressed satisfaction at the level of preparedness and support received from members.
He specifically thanked the visiting Ambassador for her time and honour done to the group by the visit, and praised other distinguished guests, panel of Judges and members of the association for their input and in creating time to honour their invitation.
In his words, let me thank my wife, Dr. Mrs. Oluwatoyin Okei (Yeye Asoju Oba), Her Excellency Madam Ambassador of Ghana, her entourage, The Honorable Umaru Mohammed, Donors, Board of Trustees, Executives, Chief Judge, Professor Boutte, Distinguished Judges, Lady Barrister Ngozi Ezeihuaku, Mrs. Merline Dessalines, Ajei Matthew and Mrs. Dee Odigili, the Chefs who gallantly flew the flags of their various countries, OAU men, leaders of our pan African communities, Chief of Staff and Master of Ceremony (MC) Ms. Mildred Vanderpuije, Ms Nnenna Amuji (Presidential aide), Elder Felix Agho and Lady Carolyn Agho, Lady Grace Inyangetor (Mkpouto Nto Nsek), the Donors Fakord Groceries, Dr. Steve Osaguona of Palmetto Kidney specialist, Chief Dr Eleanya Ogburu (Miri Oma) and especially our Professor and Dr Gloria Boutte and George Johnson for giving us this great venue for free.
”I thank God we displayed the OAU fraternal spirit. We showed that despite our challenges, we are a one United people. I salute the winner, Sir John Sampson of Liberia. I equally salute the 2nd position, Nigeria (Lady Carolyn Agho), 3rd Haiti, 4th Gula Geechee and 5th Ghana. Thanks to you all. I doubt any serious-minded person will challenge the integrity of the process and caliber of Chief Judge and Judges. It was not the best but we can only get better next year. I thank my family for supporting me in this onerous task. I thank our Chief of staff, Presidential Aides and advisers”.
A major highlight of the event was the decoration of the visiting Ambassador, by Mr. Okei, President of the black community in South Carolina, with Anioma (Akwa-Ocha and beads) traditional regalia and conferment of Honorary traditional title on her as the Ugo (Pride)of OAU/ Pan African Inter-Nation.
In a related development, a guest of honour declared that Tonna Okei be known as the Kwame Nkrumah the second, for championing the course of the black race in the United States of America and beyond.