Emma Okonji
As part of the moves to boost the non-oil sector of the economy, the management of the Afro Intercontinental Connections Limited (AFRICON) has continued to celebrate the foods and drinks industry, with a view to encouraging players to increase productivity and boost the economy.
As part of its contribution to boost the non-oil sector, the organisation said it would hold the 2017 edition of Afrifoods and Drinks Fest, which is an exhibition of foods, drinks, beverages and other allied products, from Saturday, 15th to Sunday 23 April at the National Theatre, Lagos.
According to the organisers, the festival, which is being organised in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Information and Culture and other relevant agencies of government, is being put together as industrial tourism project in fulfillment of the recommendation of the April 2014 World Economic Forum that was held in Nigeria.
The world body was said to have appreciated the Agricultural development of Nigeria and endorsed a large scale promotion of same for other countries to emulate.
In what looks like a strategic plan to celebrate the 50th year anniversary of Lagos, the organisers appeared to have targeted the festive period to further showcase the economic and tourism potentials of the commercial city. The organisers had in a statement noted that Lagos State as the host state has indicated its willingness to partner them on the project.
Speaking on the festival, the Chief Executive Officer of AFRICON, Mr. Segun Oyedeji, said the timing was necessary because the nation needed a massive exposition of her agricultural products and produces to rejuvenate the economy.
He said; ‘’While it could be agreed that the flow of foreign exchange can be through many channels, the importance of a well – structured and organised tourism industry is certainly beyond question.
It is not surprising therefore that tourism has become very powerful for many developed and developing countries as a source of foreign exchange and development generation through well organised ‘’center-point-activities like the RIO Carnival, Nothing Hill Gate Festival in London, Peoples Carnival in Glasgow and Oktoberfest in Munich, Germany, to mention a few.’’
On the objectives of the festival, Oyedeji stated that it is designed to create a ‘centre-point-activity’ to spur the influx of tourists into Nigeria and other neighbouring African countries as well as creating a healthy competition markets for drinks, beverages, foods and allied products manufacturers in the African states.
For companies and brand owners, the organisers have indicated that the festival would be a good platform to showcase their products, either through sponsorship or as participants while the exhibition lasted.
