Yemisi Izuora
First Bank of Nigeria Limited, has partnered with Eventful Limited, to drive Nigeria’s food economy through its sponsorship of the third edition of the Fiesta of Flavours, a world class food and beverage fair, which held in Lagos.
This support reinforces the Bank’s commitment to building the entire agricultural value chain from production to consumption, creating opportunities for SMEs in the food sector and enhancing the economic diversification of the Nigerian citizenry at large.
Agriculture has a high potential for growth and economic boom, and can be referred to as Nigeria’s new oil, impacting significantly on Nigeria’s GDP in the face of dwindling oil revenues.
FirstBank has invested in agricultural businesses for several years, and recently held the FirstBank Agric Expo to explore the huge potential in the sector, and reinvent agriculture for sustainable national development.
Understanding that the business of food will enable individual and communal self-reliance, self-contentment, and self-sufficiency, the Bank has taken the ownership of the food space to fully promote businesses that will build the sector, build revenue for development purposes, create employment opportunities, and in the long run translate to national growth and development.
The two-day food and beverage Fair kept attendees fully fed and entertained with the allure of food culinary and its business. It showcased the best in local and international cuisine, cutting edge food technology and cooking techniques, as well as the best beverages and wines the world has to offer.
The Fair provided management and training seminars, competitions, and food demonstrations as well as performances from Nigeria A-list musicians and comedians.
In a statement by FirstBank’s Group Head, Marketing & Corporate Communications, Folake Ani-Mumuney, “the Bank’s partnership with the Fiesta of Flavours reinforces our support for SMES and our resolve to drive agriculture across the entire value chain whilst promoting economic growth and sustainability. It is interesting to note that Agriculture has become Nigeria’s new sustenance and our foods are our newest exports to the rest of the world.”
According to the CEO, Eventful Limited, Mrs. Yewande Zaccheaus, “FirstBank’s sponsorship of the fair for three consecutive years has been instrumental to the continuous hosting of the event, and supports our firm drive to promote Nigeria’s rich culinary heritage.”