Professor Yemi Osinbajo, Nigeria’s Vice-President on Monday described Nigerian jollof rice as “the best in the world”, ending decisively the controversy started by minister of information, Mr Lai Mohammed.

While responding to a question by Richard Quest, CNN International business editor, Mohammed was quoted to have said that the Senegalese make the best jollof rice on the continent.

Although Quest defended the minister, saying the minister did not hear his question correctly, the incident sparked off unpleasant reactions on social media among a cross-section of Nigerians.

According to Quest, the minister thought he was asked to name the origin of jollof rice. The answer is of course Senegal.

The Vice-President however set the records straight.

He gave the right answer while speaking at “The Platform Nigeria,” a Global Media live broadcast on Channels TV convened by Poju Oyemade, Senior Pastor of the Covenant Christian Centre, in Lagos.

Osinbajo said: "And by the way, we all know that Nigerian jollof rice is the best, we beat the Ghanaians and the Senegalese hands down.”

“We have everything, and our people are doing incredibly innovative things.

“Our music and entertainment industry is the fastest growing in the world, and of course, nobody is as funny as Nigerians, whether professional or amateur", he noted.

The VP also extolled Nigerians innovative feats in various fields, especially in recent times.

“Last year Oluyinka Olutoye, a Nigerian surgeon successfully took out a baby from her mother’s womb, operated on the womb, and put the baby back in.

“The baby was carried full term and was born naturally — a feat previously unheard of.

“Only last year, a Nigerian girl Morolake Akinosun won a gold medal at the Olympics.

“Last Saturday, a Nigerian boxer Anthony Oluwafemi Joshua won the WBA, becoming the boxing champion of the world.”

Jollof rice is a staple meal among Africans. However, over the years, Nigerians, Ghanaians, Senegalese and other African countries have claimed to make the best of the meal.

NAN