Liberty Stadium, Ibadan was transformed into a massive celebration of Nigerian food, culture, entertainment and family fun on Saturday as Golden Penny hosted its Soup Festival, bringing together food lovers, families and fun seekers for a day packed with culinary experiences, competitions, masterclasses and live entertainment.
The festival, according to the organisers, was designed to go beyond serving food, creating an experience that celebrated Nigeria’s rich food culture while giving attendees opportunities to learn, compete, play and connect.
Speaking at the event, Chiaka Eluchie, Category Manager, Ball Foods, said Golden Penny Semovita’s market leadership and long-standing equity had helped strengthen the wider ball foods category.
She noted that consumer insights around family outings and bonding also influenced the festival’s planning.
“Golden Penny Semovita is an Owambe brand. It’s a brand that sits in all situations, be it your birthday, your wedding,” Eluchie said, highlighting the festival and other consumer activations as opportunities to strengthen family bonding and deepen consumer relationships.
She further assured consumers of consistent product quality across Golden Penny activations nationwide, saying the brand maintained the same standards and experience across states.
From the food arena to the games zone, children’s area and entertainment stage, the event offered a full day of activities for attendees of different ages and interests.
Popular personalities Kiekie and MC Password hosted the festival, engaging the crowd and driving the energy throughout the celebration. At dusk, popular Nigerian Artist, Wande Coal, gave the crowd an amazing time with his electrifying performance that kept them vibing.
At the heart of the event was Golden Penny Semovita, described as the “king of soups,” served with a wide selection of Nigerian soups including Afang, Edikaikong, Black Soup, Egusi, Ewedu and Gbegiri, Bitter Leaf and Ogbono, among others.
The variety of soups showcased the depth and diversity of Nigerian cuisine while reinforcing the organisers’ emphasis on food as a powerful part of the country’s culture and everyday family life.
A major attraction at the festival was the Golden Penny Semovita Museum, which showcased six decades of the product’s evolution.
Attendees were taken through the history of Golden Penny Semovita from its inception, with exhibits displaying the product across its evolution as well as the seeds and ingredients involved in its manufacturing process.
The museum offered visitors a closer look at the story behind a product that has become a familiar part of meals in Nigerian homes.
Learning was another major component of the Soupfest, with masterclasses facilitated by Chef Gina Ehikodi Ojo, Chef Abi, also known as MealsbyAbi, Chef Polan and Adeola.
The sessions explored food, entrepreneurship, creativity and practical skills, giving participants knowledge they could apply beyond the festival.
The event also featured a range of recreational activities, including snooker, video games, tennis, chess and Ludo. Attendees also competed in a cooking competition and dancing contest, while a fashion parade added colour and style to the celebration.
On the entertainment stage, Shody the Hype Man kept the crowd energised before Nigerian music star Wande Coal delivered a performance that further heightened the atmosphere.
Children were not left out of the experience, with the Kids Arena providing a dedicated space where younger attendees could play on trampolines and a bouncy castle while enjoying their own share of the festival excitement.
The Golden Penny Soupfest ultimately brought together food, heritage, entertainment, learning and family recreation in one setting.
For the organisers, the Ibadan edition was not simply about putting food on people’s plates, but about creating a platform where people could eat, learn, play and celebrate the richness of Nigerian culture together.
