As the outgoing Ambassador of France to Nigeria, Ms. Emmanuelle Blatmann, prepares to embark on her new role as the director for Africa in Paris, she bids a fond and humorous farewell to one peculiar aspect of Nigerian cuisine – the infamous pepper soup.
In a lighthearted conversation with journalists before her departure, Blatmann openly shared her sentiments about the Nigerian delicacy. While expressing her genuine affection for Nigeria’s weather, people, music, and a variety of foods, she made it clear that pepper soup wouldn’t be missed.
“I will be very honest with you and blunt, I will not miss the pepper soup because it’s too peppery. You people tried to kill me several times.
“I will be eating all sorts of things with my eyes red and crying, I have smoke coming out of my ears. I am exaggerating, but honestly, why do you put so much pepper?
“In the North, it’s better but in the South West, my God! But I like the jollof rice, I like the moimoi and the puff-puff.
“I will miss the climate, I will miss the love of the people, I will miss the sense of humour, the laughter, the music, the dancing; I dance a lot, I will miss a lot,” she humorously remarked.
Amidst the light banter, Blatmann expressed genuine appreciation for other aspects of Nigerian cuisine, highlighting her fondness for jollof rice, moimoi, and puff-puff.
Her departure marks the end of her diplomatic mission in Nigeria, and her candid remarks add a touch of humour to the traditional farewell discourse.
As Ms. Emmanuelle Blatmann transitions into her new role, her departure from Nigeria is not only accompanied by diplomatic formalities but also leaves behind a memorable quip about the spiciness of Nigerian pepper soup.