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Pascal is a true and Progressive African Business man that our community should emulate.
Just as Moderator Matto encourages Africans especially Nigerian to remove 'Tribal Goggles' before
political analysis on NaijaPolitics. Pascal encourages African Business to patronize one another
without regard to the 'ring' of their Last name or tribe.
In case you do not know De Ranch Restaurant served as last year's African People's
Intercontinental Awards base of meetings and operation with Pascal not charging Matto any fee for
its use. Here is what Pascal said "Matto you and your A-Team can use this joint anytime as my
contribution to Africans" He also supported financially. In addition, Pascal continues to support up
and coming African Artists to use his joint as well as many Community Meetings.
Give it up to!!!
Pascal Agwubuzo
who I today proclaim
ChatAfrik African Business Man of the Month
DELTA ASSEMBLY MEMBERS IN US VISIT JAMBOREE
Legislators from the oil-rich state came to the US to attend a 4-hour Seminar of Parliamentary and Budgetary
processes with their spouses. What is the purpose of such a trip with public funds?
Seyi Oduyela and Femi Soneye, in Washington DC/ Africananews Exclusive
It was on the evening of May 9, 17 men had come to a Nigerian restaurant located along Landover road, Maryland.
There they met some Nigerians who helped them out. One of them introduced himself as the Speaker of the Delta
State House of Assembly and others identified themselves including a lady lawmaker, Omawumi Udoh.
One of them called our reporter aside to inquire about the prospect of real estate business and whatever business
prospect in the United States. He introduced himself as Martin Okonta, a member of the Delta State House of
Assembly. Mr. Okonta told our reporter that he was tired of doing business in Nigeria and wanted to see the
possibility of exploring the United States for business.
In what can be termed as a confession of the assembly delegation's true intention of coming to the US, Mr. Okonta
told our reporter that he has 42 houses all over Nigeria and just bought a N14Million house in Abuja trying to proove
that he has resources to do business in the US. After this, Africananews.com tried to invesitigate their mission in the
US by calling the Speaker, Mr. Young Igbrude on Friday May 12 and he gave our reporter an appointment for 8 am
Saturday, but when we called the hotel (New Carrollton Hotel along Annapolis Road), we were told that he had
checked out. We called the cell phones of the assemblymen but they have been turned off.
We were lucky to get one of them who refused to identify himself. According to him, the Speaker and others have left
for London to attend a Parliamentary Seminar. When asked on their mission to the United States, he said they came
to attend a Parliamentary Seminar in Maryland. The honorable member refused to answer question on the nature of
the seminar. He said he was not competent to talk to the press but that the Speaker would be in the best position to
answer our questions and he did not give us the contact number of the Speaker who is now in the United Kingdom.
Africananews enquiry from the Maryland General Assembly revealed that the 17-man delegation came from Nigeria
to attend a 4-hour briefing on Maryland budget and legislative processes. According to Ms. Patricia Harrison, Visitors
Program Coordinator of the Library and Information Services, Office of Policy Analysis, department of Legislative
Services, the tour took place on Wednesday, May 10 2006. She said of the 17 Assembly members who were billed to
attend only 13 came.
We were told that their spouses accompanied them for the 4-hour tour. According to the agenda of the event
presented to us by Ms. Harrison, the tour started at 9.30am, they visited the Historic Rooms and Chambers of
Maryland State House. At 10am, Lynne Porter, Executive Assistant, Office of the Executive Director, department of
Legislative Services, briefed them on Legislative Process. At 11am, Jennifer Chasse, Senior Policy Analyst Staff,
Senate Budget and Taxation Committee, Office of Policy Analysis, Department of Legislative Services, briefed them
on Budget process and at 12pm the tour ended.
According to Ms. Harrison, 20 more members are coming for same tour on May 19 2006. One Mr. Tony Odiadi, who
is also the Legal Adviser to the Delta State House of Assembly, coordinates the program, according to Ms. Harrison.
We have also confirmed that the Speaker of the House, unlike normal protocol, did not inform the Nigerian embassy
in Washington DC of his presence in the United States
We have contacted Mr. Odiadi for comments but he has not responded to our requests. Though we do not have the
list of those who took part in the May 10 tour, we have the list of the 20 people billed for the May 19, 2006 tour. They
are as follows:
1.Hon. Pius Ewherido- Dep. Speaker
2.Hon. Funkekeme Solomon- Minority Leader
3.Hon. Frank Enekorogha
4.Hon. Victor Ochei
5.Hon. Silas Buowe
6.Hon. Harvest Igben
7.Hon. Misan Ukubehinje
8.Hon. Basil Ganagana
9.Hon. Sam Obi
10. Hon. Reginald Dombraye
11. Hon. Dr. (Mrs) Felicia Nwaeze
12. Hon. Akpodiagaga Emeyese
13. Hon. George Oyefia
14. Hon. Omizu Odebala
15. Hon. Ross Uredi
16. Hon. Anderson Mekoma
17. Hon. Gibson Akporehe
17. Sir Jacob Iyamu-Clerk
18. Barr. Tony Odiadi-Legal Adviser (coordinator)
19. Mr. Anthony Aki- Director Legislative Services
20. Mr. Basil Esekemuemu- Special Assistant
Legislators from the oil-rich state came to the US to attend a 4-hour Seminar of Parliamentary and Budgetary
processes with their spouses. What is the purpose of such a trip with public funds?
Seyi Oduyela and Femi Soneye, in Washington DC/ Africananews Exclusive
It was on the evening of May 9, 17 men had come to a Nigerian restaurant located along Landover road, Maryland.
There they met some Nigerians who helped them out. One of them introduced himself as the Speaker of the Delta
State House of Assembly and others identified themselves including a lady lawmaker, Omawumi Udoh.
One of them called our reporter aside to inquire about the prospect of real estate business and whatever business
prospect in the United States. He introduced himself as Martin Okonta, a member of the Delta State House of
Assembly. Mr. Okonta told our reporter that he was tired of doing business in Nigeria and wanted to see the
possibility of exploring the United States for business.
In what can be termed as a confession of the assembly delegation's true intention of coming to the US, Mr. Okonta
told our reporter that he has 42 houses all over Nigeria and just bought a N14Million house in Abuja trying to proove
that he has resources to do business in the US. After this, Africananews.com tried to invesitigate their mission in the
US by calling the Speaker, Mr. Young Igbrude on Friday May 12 and he gave our reporter an appointment for 8 am
Saturday, but when we called the hotel (New Carrollton Hotel along Annapolis Road), we were told that he had
checked out. We called the cell phones of the assemblymen but they have been turned off.
We were lucky to get one of them who refused to identify himself. According to him, the Speaker and others have left
for London to attend a Parliamentary Seminar. When asked on their mission to the United States, he said they came
to attend a Parliamentary Seminar in Maryland. The honorable member refused to answer question on the nature of
the seminar. He said he was not competent to talk to the press but that the Speaker would be in the best position to
answer our questions and he did not give us the contact number of the Speaker who is now in the United Kingdom.
Africananews enquiry from the Maryland General Assembly revealed that the 17-man delegation came from Nigeria
to attend a 4-hour briefing on Maryland budget and legislative processes. According to Ms. Patricia Harrison, Visitors
Program Coordinator of the Library and Information Services, Office of Policy Analysis, department of Legislative
Services, the tour took place on Wednesday, May 10 2006. She said of the 17 Assembly members who were billed to
attend only 13 came.
We were told that their spouses accompanied them for the 4-hour tour. According to the agenda of the event
presented to us by Ms. Harrison, the tour started at 9.30am, they visited the Historic Rooms and Chambers of
Maryland State House. At 10am, Lynne Porter, Executive Assistant, Office of the Executive Director, department of
Legislative Services, briefed them on Legislative Process. At 11am, Jennifer Chasse, Senior Policy Analyst Staff,
Senate Budget and Taxation Committee, Office of Policy Analysis, Department of Legislative Services, briefed them
on Budget process and at 12pm the tour ended.
According to Ms. Harrison, 20 more members are coming for same tour on May 19 2006. One Mr. Tony Odiadi, who
is also the Legal Adviser to the Delta State House of Assembly, coordinates the program, according to Ms. Harrison.
We have also confirmed that the Speaker of the House, unlike normal protocol, did not inform the Nigerian embassy
in Washington DC of his presence in the United States
We have contacted Mr. Odiadi for comments but he has not responded to our requests. Though we do not have the
list of those who took part in the May 10 tour, we have the list of the 20 people billed for the May 19, 2006 tour. They
are as follows:
1.Hon. Pius Ewherido- Dep. Speaker
2.Hon. Funkekeme Solomon- Minority Leader
3.Hon. Frank Enekorogha
4.Hon. Victor Ochei
5.Hon. Silas Buowe
6.Hon. Harvest Igben
7.Hon. Misan Ukubehinje
8.Hon. Basil Ganagana
9.Hon. Sam Obi
10. Hon. Reginald Dombraye
11. Hon. Dr. (Mrs) Felicia Nwaeze
12. Hon. Akpodiagaga Emeyese
13. Hon. George Oyefia
14. Hon. Omizu Odebala
15. Hon. Ross Uredi
16. Hon. Anderson Mekoma
17. Hon. Gibson Akporehe
17. Sir Jacob Iyamu-Clerk
18. Barr. Tony Odiadi-Legal Adviser (coordinator)
19. Mr. Anthony Aki- Director Legislative Services
20. Mr. Basil Esekemuemu- Special Assistant
Maryland Community Newspapers Online
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Thursday, April 26, 2007
Nigerian restaurant favorite of African food fans
by Jada Bradley | Dining Review
E-mail this article \ Print this article
When you walk into De Ranch the first thing you see is a counter at front and a few table and chairs, but if you look to
the left or right, you’ll see there is more than meets the eye. To the left, there is space for dining with booths and to
the right there is a room used for banquets and events.
Just as the space is larger than it appears to be, the restaurant itself is more than it appears to be. It serves as a
place to eat and a kind of crossroads for members of the African diaspora.
The menu at De Ranch has African, Caribbean and American dishes. African dishes include Cassava leaf soup,
served with goat, fish or chicken ($9.99 and $10.99). If you like Caribbean food, they have favorites like curry and jerk
chicken ($7.99 and $8.99). For $6.99 you can choose among American standards like baked and fried chicken, or a
sandwich (chicken, fish, steak and cheese, cheeseburger) with fries. Portions are generous and the staff is pleasant.
Cecilia Registe, who decided to pop in with a friend, said, ‘‘The people are friendly.” As if to prove this point, an
employee came out to front counter to say that she had the same first name when she heard Registe give hers, and
the two laughed over having something in common.
Registe, who is from Dominique, asked about trying a taste of the jolof rice, something she’d never had and the staff
was happy to oblige. Jolof rice is an African rice dish that can vary in different regions, but the basic recipe calls for
rice flavored with tomatoes or tomato paste, onion and spices.
Most dinners are offered with a choice of plantains and white rice, rice and peas or the jolof rice which Registe
sampled and said she’d try next time she came.
De Ranch’s owner, Pascal Agwubuzo, a native of Nigeria, came to the United States in 1981 and saw there was a
need for more eating establishment to cater to the African and Caribbean communities.
The name ‘‘De Ranch” is the English translation of a Nigerian phrase that refers to food that came from farmland. In
Agwubuzo’s homeland the phrase carries with it the idea of food that is wholesome and fresh.
‘‘Most of our food is natural and medicinal,” said Agwubuzo, and he cites the pepper soup ($5.99) as an example of
this. The hot and spicy soup can quickly clear congestion, but it is not for the weak. Also, the onugbo (bitter leaf soup,
$14.99) is rich in greens and high in vitamin C.
The kitchen at De Ranch aims to keep its customers healthy, so they remove excess grease and fat from their meats.
There are also delicacies that are hard to find elsewhere, like the ishi ehu (goat head, $22) or nkwobi (cow foot, $10).
For both of these dishes the main course is cooked down and marinated in palm oil and spices.
The restaurant caters for weddings, special events, birthdays, and it has a banquet room for on-site celebrations.
They also do what Agwubuzo likes to call, ‘‘food support for busy professionals.”
With a sly smile, he explains that some people will buy large quantities of food to place in their own pots and present
it as homemade.
De Ranch does more than provide food, as its owner notes, the restaurant also serves as a ‘‘community connecting
point” for Africans, especially Nigerians from the varying states and government associations within that country.
Dignitaries from Africa who visit the Washington, D.C. area make it a point to dine at De Ranch. They are also
equipped to show sports programs live from West Africa.
Although the restaurant wants to keep people in touch with the African community at home and abroad, Agwubuzo
would not mind seeing some unfamiliar faces.
‘‘We’d like to attract more non-Africans to try our food,” he said.
De Ranch Restaurant and Carry Out
3511 Maryland Ave.,Landover; 301-773-5444
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to midnight; Sunday, noon to
11 p.m.
Advanced Search
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Nigerian restaurant favorite of African food fans
by Jada Bradley | Dining Review
E-mail this article \ Print this article
When you walk into De Ranch the first thing you see is a counter at front and a few table and chairs, but if you look to
the left or right, you’ll see there is more than meets the eye. To the left, there is space for dining with booths and to
the right there is a room used for banquets and events.
Just as the space is larger than it appears to be, the restaurant itself is more than it appears to be. It serves as a
place to eat and a kind of crossroads for members of the African diaspora.
The menu at De Ranch has African, Caribbean and American dishes. African dishes include Cassava leaf soup,
served with goat, fish or chicken ($9.99 and $10.99). If you like Caribbean food, they have favorites like curry and jerk
chicken ($7.99 and $8.99). For $6.99 you can choose among American standards like baked and fried chicken, or a
sandwich (chicken, fish, steak and cheese, cheeseburger) with fries. Portions are generous and the staff is pleasant.
Cecilia Registe, who decided to pop in with a friend, said, ‘‘The people are friendly.” As if to prove this point, an
employee came out to front counter to say that she had the same first name when she heard Registe give hers, and
the two laughed over having something in common.
Registe, who is from Dominique, asked about trying a taste of the jolof rice, something she’d never had and the staff
was happy to oblige. Jolof rice is an African rice dish that can vary in different regions, but the basic recipe calls for
rice flavored with tomatoes or tomato paste, onion and spices.
Most dinners are offered with a choice of plantains and white rice, rice and peas or the jolof rice which Registe
sampled and said she’d try next time she came.
De Ranch’s owner, Pascal Agwubuzo, a native of Nigeria, came to the United States in 1981 and saw there was a
need for more eating establishment to cater to the African and Caribbean communities.
The name ‘‘De Ranch” is the English translation of a Nigerian phrase that refers to food that came from farmland. In
Agwubuzo’s homeland the phrase carries with it the idea of food that is wholesome and fresh.
‘‘Most of our food is natural and medicinal,” said Agwubuzo, and he cites the pepper soup ($5.99) as an example of
this. The hot and spicy soup can quickly clear congestion, but it is not for the weak. Also, the onugbo (bitter leaf soup,
$14.99) is rich in greens and high in vitamin C.
The kitchen at De Ranch aims to keep its customers healthy, so they remove excess grease and fat from their meats.
There are also delicacies that are hard to find elsewhere, like the ishi ehu (goat head, $22) or nkwobi (cow foot, $10).
For both of these dishes the main course is cooked down and marinated in palm oil and spices.
The restaurant caters for weddings, special events, birthdays, and it has a banquet room for on-site celebrations.
They also do what Agwubuzo likes to call, ‘‘food support for busy professionals.”
With a sly smile, he explains that some people will buy large quantities of food to place in their own pots and present
it as homemade.
De Ranch does more than provide food, as its owner notes, the restaurant also serves as a ‘‘community connecting
point” for Africans, especially Nigerians from the varying states and government associations within that country.
Dignitaries from Africa who visit the Washington, D.C. area make it a point to dine at De Ranch. They are also
equipped to show sports programs live from West Africa.
Although the restaurant wants to keep people in touch with the African community at home and abroad, Agwubuzo
would not mind seeing some unfamiliar faces.
‘‘We’d like to attract more non-Africans to try our food,” he said.
De Ranch Restaurant and Carry Out
3511 Maryland Ave.,Landover; 301-773-5444
Hours: Monday through Thursday, 11 a.m. to 11 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 11 a.m. to midnight; Sunday, noon to
11 p.m.
