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Malicious Facebook Post: Erisco Foods fingers ‘powerful syndicate
Malicious Facebook Post: Erisco Foods fingers ‘powerful syndicate
The founder and Chief Executive Officer of Erisco Foods Ltd., Chief Eric Umeofia, says that a powerful syndicate keen on killing his company is behind the “false and malicious’’ social media post against the company.
Speaking to newsmen on Saturday in Lagos on the raging Facebook controversy, Umeofia said that the syndicate, whom he identified as importers of tomato paste had been pulling such pranks over the years.
“Their ultimate goal is to discourage Erisco Foods as Nigeria’s major local tomato paste maker and force Nigeria to depend on imported tomato paste,’’ Umeofia said.
He vowed, however, that he would continue to forge ahead, to make tomato paste locally and discourage importation of the product to save the Nigerian economy.
Umeofia, who is described as Africa’s top tomato paste maker, said that the purported review of ‘Nagiko Tomato Mix’ by a Facebook user, named Chioma Egodi, was apparently another attempt to smear a local brand that had put a Nigerian manufacturer on the map.
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Records show that Erisco Foods has had a dominant presence in the tomato paste sector in Angola and Liberia over the years, positioning itself as the fourth largest of its type in the world.
He lamented that the offensive Facebook post had a tendency to impact negatively on the company, describing the development as “one of the painful experiences of engaging in manufacturing in Nigeria’’.
According to Umeofia, the so called review of ‘Nagiko Tomato Mix’ by Egodi, showed her total lack of knowledge of the ingredients used in the making of tomato paste.
Describing Egodi’s post as baseless and malicious, he said that the write-up was clearly meant to drag Erisco Foods to the mud and destroy one of its flagship products.
“She showed her determination to kill our brand and products so why should I let her go scot-free?
“For the past five years, I’ve not received any credit facility in Nigeria – no loan. For the past three years, I’ve not received one dollar as foreign exchange.
“I’ve been sustaining my local production from my foreign investments in Angola and the United Arab Emirates.”
Narrating how the incident unfolded, Umeofia said that after Egodi’s product review on social media, he reached out to his staff to find out if any complaint had been filed by Egodi.
“I found out that there was none — no product, no batch number, no production number – but a claim that our product is killing people.
“We released a statement that we would not allow our efforts of over 40 years of production to be destroyed by a syndicate of importers who had been fighting our products.
“We decided to defend our corporate identity by tagging her to the statement.
“Some people advised her to pull down the post that she’s destroying someone’s business but she refused.
“She abused those that had positive comments about our products but made thumbs up for those that criticised it. Then we knew she had a hidden agenda.
Umeofia added: “we had fought tomato paste importers for years because we believe that producing products locally was the best way to support economic growth.
“Should I now sit back and allow someone to destroy what we’ve spent over 10 years building?”
The chief executive officer said that efforts to reach Egodi proved abortive, necessitating Erisco Foods to petition the inspector-general of police to investigate the allegations.
“If my product has been killing people, I should be killed.
“I have over 3,000 workers in my factory and pay over 20,000 people indirectly. How can I allow syndicates to destroy my hard work?”
Umeofia clarified that the product under scrutiny was a tomato mix and not tomato paste and that the former always had sugar as an active ingredient, stressing that the product was certified by NAFDAC.
He displayed an apology letter, purportedly written to Erisco Foods through the Nigeria Police Force, regarding the product review Egodi had posted.
Malicious Facebook Post: Erisco Foods fingers ‘powerful syndicate
Ini Edo Shares Engagement News, Plans Fairytale Wedding
Popular Nigerian actress Ini Edo has revealed her engagement and is preparing for a fairytale wedding.
Edo shared the joyful news on her Instagram account, @iniedo, on Sunday, expressing her excitement about this new chapter in her life.
In her heartfelt post, she wrote: “That bright Sunday morning six months ago, while on vacation, we crossed paths, and our lives never remained the same.
“Exactly three months later, you asked me to be with you forever. How did I get so lucky?”
Reflecting on love and destiny, she added, “They say, ‘your flaws are perfect for the heart that is meant to love you,’ and I now believe this wholeheartedly. My fairytale wedding is almost here.”
Edo concluded with an encouraging message to her followers: “To anyone out there who has given up on their happily ever after, Love will find you, and when it does, ready or not, it’ll be the best thing that ever happened to you.”
FG Intervention Programs Aim to Benefit All Nigerians, Says Minister
Alhaji Muhammad Idris, Minister of Information, has affirmed that the Federal Government’s intervention programs are designed to benefit all Nigerians.
Speaking during a sensitization event on the Renewed Hope Agenda, President Bola Tinubu’s administration’s policy framework, in Yola on Thursday, Idris emphasized the wide-reaching nature of these programs. Represented by Rhoda Maina, Head of the Federal Information Resource Center in Yola, the minister outlined various initiatives aimed at improving citizens’ lives.
These initiatives include the disbursement of over N2.9 billion for a student loan scheme, empowerment programs, and the Digital and Creative Enterprise Program. Additional efforts focus on consumer credit, a natural gas initiative, housing, Nano business support, and the National Youth Talents Export Program.
Mr. Jonah Agye, Director of the National Orientation Agency (NOA) in Adamawa, expressed the agency’s readiness to collaborate with federal and state agencies to promote these initiatives at the grassroots level. He urged participants to spread the word in their communities and encouraged public support for government policies.
In his remarks, Mr. James Iliya, Adamawa State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, expressed gratitude to the federal government and President Tinubu for the interventions. He urged beneficiaries to make the most of these opportunities to improve their lives. Iliya also noted that Adamawa State aligns with the Federal Government’s policies to ensure its residents benefit from these initiatives.
Alhaji Idris Shuaibu, chairman of the event, commended the Federal Government’s efforts and advised those implementing the programs to ensure that they reach the most vulnerable citizens.
Empowered for a New Life: UNFPA Supports 50 Rehabilitated Fistula Survivors in Gombe
The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) has empowered 50 rehabilitated Vesico Vaginal Fistula (VVF) survivors in Gombe State through a collaborative program with the Government of Norway.
At the graduation ceremony held in Gombe on Thursday, Dr. Bajowa Lanre, UNFPA’s Sexual Reproductive Health Analyst, reiterated the agency’s commitment to eradicating obstetric fistula, a debilitating condition that occurs during childbirth. He highlighted that UNFPA continues to provide life-saving surgeries for women affected by fistula and severe perinatal tears in Nigeria, working towards a future where maternal mortality and related conditions are eliminated.
Obstetric fistula, an abnormal connection between the rectum and the vagina, is often stigmatized in communities, bringing shame and social isolation to survivors. “No woman should endure this experience,” said Lanre, emphasizing the physical and emotional toll it takes on women and families.
The empowerment initiative, which equips survivors with vocational skills and tools, is seen as key to reintegrating them into society. Sewing machines, grinding machines, popcorn processing equipment, and transportation stipends were provided to help the women become economically self-sufficient.
Gombe’s Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development, Ms. Asmau’u Iganus, expressed gratitude for the initiative. Represented by Mrs. Abu Hassan, she noted that the program would enhance the survivors’ livelihood and boost their social and economic wellbeing.
Dr. Musa Issa, Executive Director of the Fistula Foundation Nigeria, praised the collaboration between UNFPA, the Norwegian government, and the state, calling the empowered women role models who can inspire others in their communities.
One of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Safiyanu Moses, shared her journey from being ostracized due to the condition’s effects to regaining hope for a brighter future. “This intervention has transformed my life,” she said. “I will use this empowerment to help my family and community while raising awareness about treatment for others.”
The program aims to foster support systems for fistula survivors and reduce the stigma associated with the condition in Gombe State and beyond.
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