Hey Ladies! Which do you prefer – Naija Jollof or Ghana Jollof,” asked Sexy Jola as she sat down close to me with a big cooler of food in hand. She dropped it on a table behind us which I had earlier spotted her placing there.
I guessed there was going to be a party because when Jola makes such move, it means we are in for a party. Although I didn’t know what we are celebrating, not being one to slack at such moments, I decided to treat the girls to my juicy Zobo drink.
“Oya, Tamara, Evelyn, which will you prefer,” continued Jolaolu, jostling me back to reality with her question.
“Give me Naija Jollof any day, anytime, and you’ll make my day,” retorted Tamara.
“I am black and proud of my heritage…Ghana Jollof of course,” countered Mummy Fawaz.
“I have tasted both, but critically speaking, I prefer Ghana Jollof,” Barrister Ada cut in.
And turning to me, Sexy Jola asked, “What about you, Evelyn?”
“Like Mummy Fawaz, I’m proud of my heritage… I prefer Naija Jollof. Give me hot steaming Naija Jollof with a dangerously peppered chicken as complement and watch my creative muse go.” I responded with a laugh that seemed to infest others, catching the attention of other neighbours.
“You ladies seem to have won the lottery, this one you are laughing like this. Please share the money o,” urged a curious Daddy Innocent from his balcony.
“We will sir. Ada responded. Just then we looked up and saw he was not alone but had with him the husbands of some of ladies in the group.
“Wetin dey happen here? Are the men forming their own counter group as well,” I asked in surprise.
“You never see anything yet. My husband says it is enjoyment that we are enjoying anytime we meet. In fact, he has been protesting the fact we cannot continue to enjoy alone and have the spotlight on your column. They want in on it too,” Jolaolu said, while laughing her heart away.
“Mine too,” added Ada.
“Including mine,” Tamara also stated.
“This is serious o. How come you didn’t mention it before now? I didn’t know our gists have caught the attention of our husbands? Well, there’s…” And before I could finish my statement, the men joined us, bring their seats with them.
“Oh-oh-oh-oh!” protested Tamara, “What is this na?”
“Today’s gist, food and drink will not pass us by!” Ada hubby interjected.
“I remember when you used to go to the office even on a Sunday and return late after hanging out with the boys, Daddy Nkem, what changed?”
“Your Women’s Corner and Evelyn’s column changed everything. It seems to hold a tantalising appeal and your blood pressure has reduced and everything else has improved,” he said with a deliberate emphasis on his statement as he winked at his wife. I caught the sensual look that passed between them and so did Jola for she quickly shifted the topic back to Naija and Ghana Jollof rice. “Ehen! Back to what we were saying before you joined us, between Naija Jollof and Ghana Jollof rice, which do men prefer?”
“If you ask me, between Naija Jollof and Ghana Jollof, I prefer both. Abeg all na the same boo,” Daddy Nkem said with an unusual passion as if he had so much to say.
“Abi o.” All the men all responded in unison.
“My brother na true you talk,” Ada’s hubby retorted.
“It’s like asking Nigerian women or Ghana women who do you prefer. All na the same. Woman na woman. I no matter where she from. Na the same headache the same wahala,” hammered Daddy Nkem.
“What about the love we show,” queried Sexy Jola as she scanned her hubby’s face for his response.
And not waiting Sola, Jolaolu’s husband to speak, Daddy Nkem continued vehemently: “It’s not about that. It’s about us thinking that the grass is greener on the other side. And everybody is Japaing now, including my wife. Now she is complaining, wishing she didn’t leave her job in Shell. And I’m here lonely. Imagine that. Abeg wey the two Jollof rice, let us taste and give our verdict her jare.”
We all laughed and joined Jolaolu to share the Jollof rice in the cooler, accompanied with croaker fish and very chiled Zobo drink.
“Have a taste of this Naija Jollof and when next we meet we’ll have the Ghana Jollof too and then we can judge.” Jola’s sat well with the men. And then then her hubby said emphatically, “But I hope you know we would be joining you ladies at the Women’s Corner as well.” We laughed and continued with the merrymaking.
