Events

Firewood Jollof Festival 2.0 to Unite Africa Through Food

Published

1 year ago

November 7, 2025

Firewood Jollof Festival 2.0 set for November in Lagos, celebrating Nigeria’s food heritage and uniting Africa through the love of Jollof

Organisers of the Firewood Jollof Festival have announced that the second edition of the much-loved culinary and cultural event will take place on 29 November 2025 at Samui Okola Park, Lagos, from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

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Themed “Unifying African Jollof,” this year’s edition aims to celebrate Nigeria’s rich food heritage while promoting African unity through the continent’s most iconic dish — Jollof rice.

In a statement, Chizoma Chukwueke, Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Firewood Jollof, said the festival had grown beyond a food event into a cultural movement connecting Africans and the diaspora through shared culinary traditions.

“The inspiration behind Firewood Jollof is how our mothers cooked it when we were growing up,” she said. “That smoky, earthy taste from the firewood is part of our heritage. We’re here to preserve the original essence of this iconic dish.”

Describing this year’s edition as “bigger, better, and more immersive,” Chukwueke said Firewood Jollof 2.0 would bring together chefs from across Africa to prepare a special creation called West African Jollof — a symbolic blend of flavours and techniques from Nigeria, Ghana, Senegal, and Kenya.

“We’re going to have chefs from across Africa come together to create something truly symbolic — a Jollof that embodies the spirit of African unity,” she added.

The festival will feature celebrity appearances, live music performances, cooking competitions, a children’s fun zone, and various experience areas powered by brand partners.

Access Bank is the official sponsor for the 2025 edition, supported by Devon Kings Oil, MTN Nigeria, and Nestlé Pure Life.

Chukwueke praised Access Bank for championing small and medium enterprises. “This festival provides a platform for small businesses to showcase their products, connect with customers, and generate revenue. Access Bank is holding our hands through it all,” she said.

According to Chibuzor Chukwueke, Marketing Director of Firewood Jollof, the festival also drives food tourism and entrepreneurship. “Last year, we had about 35 small-scale businesses participate. This year, we’re looking to double that number,” he said. “When small businesses network and grow, they contribute directly to Nigeria’s economy.”

He added that organisers expect over 20,000 attendees and participation from top chefs across West Africa. There are also plans to take the festival beyond Lagos in the coming year. “Next year, we’re going interstate — and with the right partnerships, maybe even to another African country, or London,” he revealed.

Voke Emeje, Assistant Brand Manager at Devon Kings, said the collaboration reflects the brand’s ethos. “Firewood Jollof is about uniting people through food, and that aligns perfectly with our brand positioning — Taste That Binds,” she noted.

Emeje added that Devon Kings will create an engaging experience at the festival with product sampling, games, and giveaways. “There’ll be food, prizes, and lots of fun. We want everyone to feel nourished, both physically and emotionally,” she said.

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Debuting in 2024, the Firewood Jollof Festival continues to position Nigerian cuisine as a symbol of unity, heritage, and creativity across Africa.

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Culture

Crowds Gather for Rare Sunrise at Egypt’s Abu Simbel Temple

Published

2 weeks ago

October 23, 2026

David Ogunjobi

Hundreds of tourists gathered at Egypt’s Abu Simbel temple to witness the twice-yearly sunrise ceremony illuminating Pharaoh Ramses II’s statue

Hundreds of tourists gathered at Egypt’s Abu Simbel temple on Thursday to witness a spectacular sunrise phenomenon in which sunlight illuminated the face of the statue of Pharaoh Ramses II, an event that occurs only twice a year.

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The ancient astronomical ceremony drew visitors from different parts of the world to the archaeological site in southern Egypt on October 22, one of two dates associated with the phenomenon.

The second occurrence takes place on February 22, when the rising sun illuminates the temple’s interior.

Egyptian tour guide Yasser Fouad described the occasion as extraordinary, saying some visitors had stayed overnight to secure the opportunity to witness the event.

“Today is an extraordinary day, everyone is keen, there are people who stayed over the night, foreigners who actually spent the night in Abu Simbel to see this phenomenon,” Fouad said.

The Great Temple of Ramses II at Abu Simbel dates back to the 13th century BC and is among Egypt’s most prominent archaeological attractions.

Built during the reign of Ramses II, one of ancient Egypt’s most powerful pharaohs, the temple is renowned for its monumental statues and sophisticated architectural design.

The twice-yearly sunrise phenomenon is a major attraction, drawing visitors eager to witness the interaction between sunlight and the temple’s ancient structure.

The dates have traditionally been associated with significant moments in Ramses II’s life.

October 22 is commonly linked to his birthday, while February 22 is associated with his accession to the throne.

However, the precise historical reasons behind the dates remain debated.

Some archaeologists have proposed alternative explanations, including that they may have marked the pharaoh’s coronation and birthday.

Abu Simbel underwent a major international rescue operation in the 1960s, when archaeologists and engineers relocated the temples to protect them from flooding caused by the construction of the Aswan High Dam.

The monumental structures were cut into large blocks and reassembled at a higher location, preserving the site for future generations.

The relocation was one of the most significant archaeological preservation projects of the 20th century.

Despite the move, the temple continues to attract visitors for its ancient Egyptian art, monumental architecture and remarkable alignment with the rising sun.

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The annual gatherings highlight the enduring appeal of Egypt’s archaeological heritage and the continuing fascination with the astronomical knowledge and engineering achievements of its ancient civilisation.