Category: Shopping

As part of its efforts to enrich the lives of consumers , Pally Agro  has unveiled its

new culinary dishes: Banga, a canned fresh palm fruit extract, unripe plantain flour and soya bean oil into the market.

The company’s Corporate Affairs Director, Mr. Ifeanyi Dike, while unveiling the new products, stated that though Banga is a popular fresh palm fruits extract among Nigerians, it is still not accessible to those who would have loved to make it part of their culinary due to the herculean way of preparing it.

He explained that the new offering, which comes in two sizes of 400grams and 800 grams, would revolutionise the culinary market and set quality standards in that market segment.

Dike noted that besides being the first company to produce such a product in the nation’s market, its freshness, and natural oil remain one of the factors that would set the new offering apart from the competition.

Expressing the company’s readiness to fight for its own share of the market, Dike explained that the company was already cultivating a farm, which would give the needed advantage of getting its raw materials fresh to complete its production.

“Besides employing both direct and indirect marketing to push the new offering, the Banga team would also be visiting universities across the country to further bond the new offering with its target market,” he added.

Pally Agro Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Mr. Collins Onyeagu, noted that for Nigeria to achieve its food self-sufficiency, more attention should be given to agriculture.

 

Mrs Bisi Badmus was disappointed when she went to the market to buy some food stuff in preparation for her daughter’s traditional marriage last Saturday. She budgeted less than the amount she actually needed for her shopping, as prices of items in the market suddenly went up because of the Ramadan.

Though last week Thursday, she had gone to the market to inquire the cost of some food items, she would need for the ceremony.  That enabled her to make necessary estimations for the items she would need.

But on getting to Daleko Rice Market in Lagos,  she was shocked that a bag of Mama Gold brand, which was originally sold for between N13,200 and N14,000 cost N15,500.

Her frustration was heightened when she was asked to pay N16, 000 for a basket of tomato,  which, two weeks ago, sold for N4, 000 at  Mile 12 Market.

The plight of Mrs Badmus was not different from other shoppers who were faced with the hike in prices of some food items a week to the Ramadan. It has been sour experiences for them in view of the current cash crunch in the country.

For instance, Tope Akinlade who runs a canteen, said the increase has affected her profit margin.

“My daily budget for tomatoes, pepper and tatashe is N2, 000, but now I buy close to N4, 000. Prices of virtually all the food items in the market have increased and this has reduced my profit” she lamented.

At Daleko Rice Market, rice increased from N14, 500 to N15, 000- 15,700. However,  10kg of Semovita (both Mama Gold and Golden Penny) and five-litre of Kings Oil maintained their initial prices at N3,000.

A basket of tomatoes at Mile 12   Market ranges from N8, 000 to N14, 000, depending on the freshness. This was against the N4, 000 it sold a month ago.

“The price is even fair since this week.  Last week, it (tomato) was sold for about N20, 000,” a tomatoes seller at the market said.

Likewise, a bag of pepper ranges from N10,000 to N16, 000, depending on the freshness, while half bag of tartashe is sold for N10, 000; full bag. N20, 000. A sizable yam is sold for N700 and a bag of yams now sells for N62, 000 as against N60, 000.

The increase also affected fruits, which the Muslim faithful use to break their fast.

For instance, at Ketu fruit market, a dozen of watermelon is sold for between N7, 000 and N8, 000, depending on the size, as against the initial N4,500 price tag.

Lamenting the price increase, a fruit and vegetables seller in Agboju Market in Amuwo Odofin area of Lagos, Alhaji sanni, said though the Ramadan season contributed to the hike in price, most fruits are seasonal crops and are gradually going out of season.

Another fruit seller at Balogun market, Mohammed, said he makes a meagre profit of N1, 500 after sales of a cartoon of apple.

He, however, said with the increase in the price of apple, which is now N13, 000 (Red apple), N11,000 for the small size of the green apple, he was forced to sell at the rate of  N70 and N150, for an apple.

For Mrs Balikis Bakare, who stocked her home in preparation for Ramadan, she was left with no alternative than to give in to sellers’ arbitrary prices.

The rush for staple food items for the Ramadan season was an opportunity for sellers to cash-in on shoppers.  At various retail markets, shop owners told The Nation that they recorded huge sales; that they also hope to make much sales all through the Ramadan period.

While shoppers’ hinged  the hike in price to the Ramadan season, Mile 12 market spokesman, Mr Femi Odunsanya, explained that the increase was as a result of poor harvest.

He said the rainy season, which is fast approaching, was unfavorable to some food crops. He noted that government can assist farmers to mitigate poor harvest by providing a preservation plant will preserve much of the harvested crops got from bountiful harvest seasons for about 60 days.  This, he said, would also help to prevent post harvest wastages.

“Last month, the price of tomatoes was N4, 000, now it is sold for between N13, 000 and N14, 000. How can you rationalise between N4,000 and N14,000 within a space of one month? The government can really help out here.  During those periods that there is more than enough, the government is supposed to buy back from the farmers and preserve them and make them available in the market when harvest is declining.

“ If Lagos state could invest in preservation plant that can preserve perishable items like tomatoes for 60 days, it will help savage post harvest loses, make it readily available and affordable by all” he noted.

There is no doubt that music and sports are fast becoming the most potent platforms for marketing because of the affinity between fans and their preferred teams or music stars.

In the market, top brands have always found the two areas attractive because they are the easiest routes to the heart of their teeming consumers. This explains why brands jostle to associate with World Cup and other sporting global competitions.

The former Chief Marketing officer at MTN Nigeria, Mr. Bola Akingbade, once said  a company that seeks to maintain a strong brand must employ strategies that will elicit top-of-mind awareness while making the brand relevant beyond its functional benefits in a bid to get maximum loyalty.

In line with this belief, the Heineken brand, from the stable of Nigerian Breweries, has consistently used its sponsorship of the UEFA Champions League to promote its brand essence and create awareness among its high end consumers.

Meanwhile, the brand has also appointed sport personalities and music icons as ambassadors to boost its market influence.

Poised to tell the Nigerian story that will resonate through families and cultures across the country, three years ago, the beer brand teamed up with Nigerian-American singer, Jidenna, to bond more with its patrons.

During that period, there was a trending television advert, which captured a family bond shared by many Nigerian families as Jidenna was seen sharing gifts with his family after a trip back home.

For a brand that has been the go-to beer brand in over 192 countries of the world, connecting families and friendships, Heineken recently facilitated the coming of Carles Puyol with the UEFA Champion League trophy to Nigeria as part of the UEFA Champions League tour.

Puyol is a three-time winner of the Champions League trophy with FC Barcelona in 2006, 2009 and 2011.

According to the company, the former Captain of FC Barcelona in the country to tour UEFA Champions League trophy was to rub minds with stakeholders in the beer industry and sports enthusiasts.

At a briefing, the NB Marketing Director, Mr. Emmanuel Oriakhi, explained that the presence of the Spanish legend, Carles Puyol with the iconic UEFA Champions League trophy to Nigeria was a way of rewarding consumers of Heineken and fans of UEFA Champions League competition.

The visit provided a unique opportunity for consumers to not only have a feel of the trophy, but also have wonderful photo opportunity with him as the brand is committed to delivering top notch experiences to its consumers.

“Such a player fits into what we want to achieve by bringing the world’s best into our country for Nigerians to have a chance to meet him for the first time and have photo opportunities with him and the iconic UEFA Champions League Trophy too.

“We are excited to be creating premium experiences for our consumers and this is just part of the package we have in the ongoing season of “unmissable moments” Oriakhi noted.

The three days tour in Uyo and Lagos featured an “unmissable” match at the Uyo international stadium. Puyol played with the “shine shine bobo” team, which was made up of some of the brand’s loyal consumers as well as past and present ex-Nigerian internationals and some domestic players of Akwa United.

Though the event provided opportunity for sports lovers to feel the Trophy and interact with the legend, it also provided amiable platform for the Heineken brand to bond more with consumers.

Oriakhi described the relationship between the brand and the UEFA champions’ league as ‘perfect partnership. Noting that the partnership over the years has been a strong platform for the Heineken brand, he said the brand has continued to gain more momentum which its promoters are proud of.

Speaking on his experience, one of the brand’s consumers, a 34-year-old business man, Ekom Simon, said: “To me, this is the best a brand can do to identify with the masses, I was glad to see our local footballers playing side by side with Puyol and top Nigerian players.

“This is not only a motivation for the players but an exposure for Akwa Ibomites. Personally, I feel so great and commend both the visitors and my state government that made Uyo an ideal place for such event.”

This window of opportunity provided by Heineken for consumers and passionate fans is in its 12th year. It has reached at least 33 countries across Africa, Asia, North and South America.

The organisers of the Sustainability and  Enterprise and Responsibility (SERAS) awards in Nigeria, TruCSR, has called for entries for the 2019 edition of the award.

The award is divided into four categories viz: Sustainable Development Goals; PR and Media Relations; Best Practices and Leadership and Governance.  All entries are expected to bear supporting documents stating the interventions, locations, impact on beneficiaries, list of contact persons in organisations and communities, new reports, (where present), video clips, still pictures, research and testimonials.

The award will feature a three -hour workshop on the award entry processes.

Speaking about the workshop, the Chairman SERAS, Mr, Ken Egbas, noted that it would be a platform to communicate a sense of partnership with participants.

“The award is the most valuable in the country and the organisation has spent over N5 billion to invest into society.  The workshop is to bring people together not as participants, but as partners and our vision was to move the society from where it used to be to where it is”.

The theme for the 2019 SERAS CSR Africa awards is: “Driving Sustainability through Inclusive Growth-Strategic Partnership as key to Unlocking Opportunities.”

Submission for the award, which is in its 13th edition, closes on June 26.

 

The Gtbank Food and Drink Festival, which started on April 28 and ended on workers’ day, provided shoppers a time out to ease work stress, Jane Chijoke writes.

It was an exciting week for shoppers to shop from varieties of foods and beverages at the four-day GTBank Food and Drink festival, organised by leading African financial institution, Guaranty Trust Bank.

The festival which held at  GT Centre, Plot 1, Water Corporation, Lagos,  ended on Worker’s Day, provided shoppers with the opportunity to have a pleasant time.  In the morning hours last Sunday, the venue was already filled with shoppers . They feasted on both local and international cuisines, small chops, pizzas cocktails and others while they shopped for the home.  The music played added glamour to the event.  Children also were not left out in  the fun galore. The event also afforded shoppers the platform to free master classes by renowned international operators from the food and drink industry. During the master classes, Tom Reaney, a popular street food chef in London, owner of the Burger Bear, excited shoppers with his culinary art in Burger making, as they struggle to have a taste of his burger. He noted that through the help of his friend, Chris Fynes, who is a food blogger, photographer and a videographer, he was able to expand his burger business which is now sort after in London.  His Burger Bear makes the list of London’s top 10 Best Burgers and solidify his place as London’s favorite street food mainstays.

They also learnt the art of Sushi making, how to build and maintain a world class restaurant, confection of chocolate Connoisseur, the secret to blending seasoning to perfection and making ultimate sandwich.

Other areas include: Reinventing traditional recipes, afro recipe fusion for a new culinary experience, acing cakes, creating evergreen content for food, guide to great food styling for photography among others.

For Adesua Steven who had fun with her family, GTBank has always had innovative ways to put smiles on consumers face.

“This is fist time  I would attending this fair. I was impressed with what I saw.  I commend GTBank for its innovative ideas to serve its customers. I had fun with my family and at the same time received some food tips that ordinarily I would have paid for”.

For blessing who is an entrepreneur, she was pleased with the bank for supporting small business enterprises.

‘’I am pleased to see small enterprises showcase their food products and people are patronising them. If we can come together as a people to support each other, I believe Nigeria will progress tremendously”

Another shopper, Timothy who dined with the local cusine-Ofada rice and shopped some pastry food, expressed satisfaction with the taste of the food. He was optimistic that Nigerian food has the taste and quality that could compete internationally.

David Anslem who had the intention of opening a food business was pleased to have attended the master classes. He said he will utilise the tips he got to expand his food business which he is planning to open before the year runs out.

Exhibitors also commended the bank for supporting them.

Since its commencement in 2016, The GTBank Food and Drink Festival has become the biggest culinary festival, promoting the foodpreneurs in the country. It has hosted more than 450,000 people and has improved the business of many food vendors.  At this year’s fair, 300 small business operators enjoyed free exhibition spaces.

The World Health Organisation’s recent statistics that 91 million people fall ill on the African continent due to food-borne disease is alarming. Locally, many regulatory agencies and associations are creating awareness to fight the scourge, Jane Chijioke writes. 

It was a long day for Esther Nwachukwu at work, as she returned home at about 7:15pm, farmished. For her, going into the kitchen to get a meal ready was a luxury; hence, she dashed off to a nearby local eatery, “bukka”, at Mafoluku, Lagos Mainland to get food.

On getting there, she was appalled by the poor hygiene exhibited by the food seller who didn’t care to wash her hands properly after cleaning up her child’s buttock who had just finished defecating, before serving her customers with  food.

Disgusted, Nwachukwu queried the food vendor, urging her to be hygiene conscious when dispensing food to her customers.

Rather than heeding  the advice, the food vendor replied in the defensive, walking the complainant out of her shop, with a warning not to patronise her again so as not to further poison the minds of her customers.

Food as a necessity of man has been a major health risk to humanity. Along the streets, various kinds of foods are sold on daily basis, leaving the consumers at the mercy of the food vendors, most of the street foods are prepared and sold in dirty environments, open to environmental contaminants, improper handling of the food and void of self hygiene of the seller.

From the various streets  food visited, it was observed that most vendors are ignorant of the health implication  of their reluctance to comply with safety food measures are, as they are just out to make profit.

A road side vendor at Oshodi who sells fried yam, chicken and turkey were neither concerned about safety of neither his consumers nor himself.

“Yam doesn’t have much dirt. So I just rinse it small and pack all the quantity I will sell for that day into a sack bag from home. So here (his shop) I just fry it and place it on my tray for customers to buy.  Sometimes, I don’t even have the time to take my bath before going to shop” he said.

Asked if he could employ a safety method to prevent dust, flies and defer his customers from dipping their hands into the food, he said “I can’t use a show glass; it will hinder my customers from accessing their choice of what they want to buy”

A few distance away from his shop, is a bukka that operates in the evening. With a sizable space she is entitled to, the seller has no shade over her head as she places her goods on a bench. Her big pot of stew garnished with various kind of meat is always open to the sight of passersby and her customers who flock her shop, standing at close range to the pot to order their choice.

According to World Health Organisation, 91 million people fall ill in Africa due to food borne illnesses. 137,000 people die in Africa because of unhealthy and contaminated food, with Diarrheal disease responsible for 70 percent of the disease burden, while chemical contaminants like Dioxin, Cyanide and Aflatoxins cause 25percent of the deaths from contaminated foods.

Food borne disease is not peculiar to the streets but also eateries and homes. To this end, the Lagos State Safety Commission (LSC) recently held a sensitisation programme in partnership with Restaurant and Food Services Proprietors Association of Nigeria (REFSPAN).

The Director-General of LSC, Hakeem Olaogun Dickson, stressed the need for food operators to be equipped with adequate information on proper handling of foods, adequate temperature needed in preserving and storing foods, food hygiene and control of hazards in workplaces.

“We are doing this safety programme to ensure everybody is carried along even those selling food on the streets. Safety should be incorporated at every processes of food making”.

Also the Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology (NIFST) Lagos Chapter has begun a safety food campaign for street food vendors.

Its Chairman, Mr Sunday Bamgbose said the programme titled “Street food safety” explained that there was urgent need to protect consumers as food is a must need for man. He said it was piloted in seven local governments in Lagos with the aim of scaling it up in the state. Impressed with the programme, he added the national body has adopted it and would soon be carried out in every part of the country.

A  Hazard Analysis Critical Control Point (HACCP) auditor, Mr Olusegun Ogolo, said the long term effect of food borne disease result in cancer, kidney or liver failure, paralysis and brain and neural disorders.

Noting that food hazard could arise from chemical, biological and physical contaminants, he said the HACCP which is a prerequisite for food sellers present a holistic approach to food safety, adding that training and capacity building can help reduce the scourge of food borne diseases.

Likewise, a food practitioner, Mrs Folawe Adewakun, identified some of the organisms found in foods, warned that “There is what we call danger zone temperature. You are supposed to eat your food hot. Any time you eat cold food, you are eating Bacillus Cerus.  You are only meant to re-eat food once. If you re-eat food after once, you are having food poison”.

The President of REFSPAN, Lady Kehinde Kamson   remarked that the association has developed to incorporate more practitioners in the food service chain even canteens and bukkas who are internally regulated by the association and have REFSPAN mark of quality. The idea is to have a broader spectrum for regulation and for efficiency. To this end, food borne diseases would be controlled, she summarised.