NAN-F-1
Nigeria
By Prudence Arobani
New York, July 24, 2017 (NAN) A Nigerian entrepreneur based in the United States, Mr Stephen Opayemi, says he is committed to promoting Nigerian brands among Africans and particularly Nigerians living in that country.
Opayemi told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in New York that his group, Kalto International, was partnering a Nigerian-owned Amarachi Restaurant to bring Nigerians and Africans closer to their culture.
Cue-in audio Opayemi 1
“Our interest in Nigerian products and also in the introduction of Nigerian products into the U.S. market is driven by the need that we find within the Nigerian and the West African community in the US.
“It is driven by our desire to bring the taste of home to our people in a very affordable way, and also to be able to project the pride of Nigeria and the pride of West Africa within the U.S. market.
“So a lot of the brands that we deal with are brands that connect with our culture and that remind Nigerians and West Africans of the fact that though we may not be physically at home.
“But at the same time we can enjoy the privileges of the foods and the drinks that we used to have when we were back in Nigeria.
“So it is to bring about the excitement that these Nigerian products bring and to be able to also create among other African Americans the desire to be closer to their culture.
“And that is the culture of Africa, which these foods and drinks provide them.”
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According to him, the group has over 35 brands that it supplies in the U.S. markets, including Star, Gulder, Ovaltine, Peak Milk, Maggi, Milo, Semovita and Honeywell Wheat, among others.
Opayemi, who is the Chief Executive Officer of the group, said the Nigerian products were competing favourably in the U.S. market.
Cue-in audio Opayemi 2
”Our intention is to be able to create that nostalgia among Nigerians and among West Africans and we have a very strong acceptance within both the Nigerian community, within the West Africans here in the U.S.
“And within other communities that enjoy good products and niche specialty beverages and food items in the United States.
“There are basically no concerns for the quality because all the companies we represent are notable companies; they are well qualified to produce the kind of products.
“The kind of products they produce are products that will compete with any global products.
“The fact that the products are made in Nigeria do not make them of lower quality to other products made in other parts of the world.
“We want to showcase that because it is coming from Africa does not mean it is of poor quality or that it is not gonna be able to stand head-to-head with any competition in any category where these products compete in the US market. ”
Cue-out audio 2 (NAN)
APT/YEE
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Edited by Emmanuel Yashim