Outgoing French Ambassador Humorously Reflects on Nigerian Cuisine

In a light-hearted yet candid farewell speech, the outgoing Ambassador of France to Nigeria, Ms Emmanuelle Blatmann, jokingly remarked that she won’t miss the pepper soup she consumed in the country, stating, “You people tried to kill me several times.” Blatmann made this humorous comment during her farewell speech after being directed to return to France upon the completion of her assignment in Nigeria.

Despite her jest, Blatmann revealed to journalists on Thursday that she is returning home to assume a new role as the director for Africa in Paris. The diplomat amusingly recounted her experiences with spicy foods that left her eyes red and teary, particularly emphasizing the intensity of pepper soup in the south-western region.

While expressing her departure sentiments, Blatmann shared that she would miss various aspects of Nigeria, including its weather, people, music, and other foods aside from pepper soup. She praised Northern cuisine as more manageable in terms of spice but humorously emphasized the challenging heat of pepper in the South West.

Blatmann concluded on a positive note, expressing her fondness for Nigerian dishes like jollof rice, moimoi, and puff-puff. She highlighted that, despite the peppery encounters, she would miss the country’s climate, the warmth of its people, the sense of humor, laughter, music, and dancing, noting, “I dance a lot, I will miss a lot.” The ambassador’s farewell speech adds a touch of humor to the diplomatic farewell, showcasing her appreciation for Nigeria’s cultural richness.

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