IT MAY not be the food you would first associate with an African chief, but Christian Ebede is determined to get more people tucking into his favourite British traditional supper.

The 55-year-old from Barns Road, Cowley, who became Oxford’s first Nigerian chief in 2008, is getting ready to open a fish and chip shop close to the home of his beloved Oxford United.

Mr Ebede, who is one of the chiefs of the Igbo, an ethnic group in south-east Nigeria, said he and his wife Trudy saw a gap in the market for the traditional English fare at the Ozone Complex, in Grenoble Road.

Mr Ebede already runs a security firm at the complex and he and his wife are busy putting the finishing touches to their traditional style eaterie, the Ozone Plaice, ahead of its official opening on Sunday.

The couple said the unit near to the Kassam Stadium had an abundance of Indian, Chinese and Italian food, but nothing for people wanting a taste of good old England.

Mrs Ebede, 54, said: “I am from Banbury originally and I grew up with this type of food. We used to have haddock and my dad loved his with mushy peas.

“Having grown up as a Catholic my family always used to have fish and chips on a Friday.

“It’s a tradition I still uphold now and every Friday we have a fish and chip supper.”

Mr Ebede, who moved to England 25 years ago, said he was also a big fan of the dish, especially plaice. He said: “Yes I do like fish and chips – I think everyone does.

“There’s a lot at the complex for people who want Chinese and Italian food, but nothing really for people who want this typically English food.”

The shop is the latest in a line of business ventures for the couple.

Mrs Ebede has successfully launched her own range of African style bread ‘Aunty Trudy’s Bread’ after making it for friends and family around Oxford.

In 2005, the 54-year-old also became the city’s first black woman taxi driver when the couple ran a taxi firm.

Mrs Ebede, who has a history in catering, has employed a team to work in the shop but will take a hands-on approach to the business, giving up her weekends to work alongside her staff.

She added: “We do hope being so close to the stadium some of the players will pop.”

Oxford United spokesman Chris Williams said: “We wish Christian the best of luck.

“He is a familiar face around the stadium and always follows the fortunes of the football team so we hope this new venture goes really well for him.”

awilliams@oxfordmail.co.uk