This is for Aba and all Nigerian makers and producers on the necessity of boldness and decency as we pursue entrepreneurial market opportunities. Good People, I am very disappointed with guys who are alleged to be making fake products. I have read about the raid by NAFDAC, and can conclude that everyone dropped the ball. The government (yes, NAFDAC) endangered the lives of citizens by even allowing such to happen. And the people making those products are not serving Aba and Nigeria.
Guys: if you can taste a French wine, and can recreate that wine to the extent that people buy them without noticing any difference on taste, packaging, and everything, why must you use the foreign label? And why must you be hiding to run your own winery? And why must you do this in an illegal way? What is the problem Guys?
Nigeria has limited dollars to import foreign wines, and you’re here producing the French liquids in Nigeria, and yet, you cannot be bold to do the right things? Do you know that with small money, you can go to NAFDAC, apply for a permit and with that permit, you can have your own wine brand? The government will just ask you to maintain a basic level of sanitation so that your customers do not have problems consuming your products (this for your good as you need them today, tomorrow and next).
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I do not drink alcohol (not that I have issues with people who do) because as a Scripture Union kid, there are things you see no value for. Also, I cannot invest in this type of business. Otherwise, I would have liked to support so that after serving whatever penalty NAFDAC has penciled down, people can be organized to do things right. Get a warehouse, go to FUTO and hire one Food Science & Tech student, look for a retired quality expert from Nigerian Breweries, etc, and get the facility to order, using the same tools you have now.
Seek for NAFDAC permit and if you need help, contact Greater Aba Development Authority (GADA). There are many names to pick from; leave the foreign labels alone. Go with Abai Wines, Eziukwu Winery, Bendes, Ovim Wines, Ohafia Farms Winery, Aba Oma Wines, Ikenga Winery, Enyimba Winery, etc.
Too bad, this has to do with alcohol, I would have asked you to meet my guys in Aba, but if you persist, talk to Shoptreo team, they’re in Aba and understand every aspect of permits, exports, etc from Aba. Tekedia Capital invested in them and they’re operating with extra support from the Bank of Industry (BOI). I want you wine makers to follow the same path: be bold on your local brand, obey the laws, and serve with honour and decency.
As you know, if you need help, reach out and I will talk to our Mr. Governor. He wants you all to do the right things. If you need help, come out and the state will support you. Let us stop this attitude because Aba is bigger than this. We must do the right things and build our brands. I am restricted as I do not invest in alcohol-related businesses; otherwise, we will do what we did in Shoptreo.
Make Aba Greater, Transform Abia, and Advance Nigeria.
Good People, I am very disappointed with guys who are alleged to be making fake products. I have read about the raid by NAFDAC, and can conclude that everyone dropped the ball. The government (yes, NAFDAC) endangered the lives of citizens by even allowing such to happen. And the… pic.twitter.com/ogwIhDd7qD
— Ndubuisi Ekekwe (@ndekekwe) December 20, 2023
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Still part of the inferiority complex an average African is trapped in. From milk to bottled water, from carbonated drinks to wines, everything is faked, yet the consumers barely distinguish between the original and copied ones. People who can replicate these things still don’t see themselves as being capable of floating brands and pushing same, in their small-mindedness they have convinced themselves that consumers won’t buy. The maker of Bigi drink is selling, it is neither Coca-Cola nor Pepsi, but it commands a market share. This is what smart and honourable people do.
We need to decouple from small-minded thinking, the belief that you need foreign labels or endorsement to be accepted. The mental slavery is real, no matter how much our people choose to pretend.
Value your heritage, your culture, your craft, your industry, your education, your land. I don’t know how people end up reducing themselves, believing that even their inferiors are now their superiors.
Our NAFDAC has given up and left Nigerians to their fate, the institution once revered and admired; the story of what one individual could accomplish. Dora Akunyili will remain eternally peerless. Nobody even attempts to match her legacy anymore.