COMFORT EKELEME, Business Editor
BUA Foods Plc has emerged the winner of 2024 Champion Newspapers’ Most Successful Food and Fast-Moving Consumer Goods of the Year award.
Managing Director of BUA Food, Engr Ayodele Abioye while receiving the award letter from the Group Managing Director of Champion Newspapers, Dr. Mrs. Nwadiuto Iheakanwa, during a management visit to BUA corporate headquarters in Lagos, commended the management of Champion Newspapers for the recognition.
He said, it is in the Company’s DNA to continue to see how to fulfill food demands and also address food challenges in whatever form it comes.
BUA Group, he said has got the staying power in Nigeria and has exhibited it in several ways.
He expressed happiness that organizations like Champion Newspapers have recognized the impact of BUA Group in economic growth and development.
Engr. Abioye however, noted that a lot of the kudos will go to the chairman of the Group, Alhaji Abdul Samad Rabiu for the great job, adding that he does most of the heavy liftings.
“Everything you see out there has a pillar behind it, and the pillar is our founder/ Chairman who birthed the organization over three decades ago, and has done so well in terms of industrializing our economy and playing critical role in that space.
“Beyond that also, is that he has a very strong believe that Africa must feed itself. He is one of those who champions the fact that food security is very important, that we must grow what we eat, and eat what we grow.
“That is one of the reasons food business, which is led by the BUA Foods Plc is an important and major business for us as we also play our part in national development.
“We are his supporters and I know we are also the face of the business as it were
“On behalf of the Group and BUA Foods Plc, I thank Champion Newspapers for the award and for appreciating what the company does as a business,” he said.
Speaking further, Engr Abioye maintained that the company’s plan is to keep expanding, adding that it has a very strong ambition to become Africa’s leading manufacturing company.
He said, the company can only do that through expanding its footprint, production system, market and product offerings.
Engr Ayodele stated that one of the things the brand has always done is having the heart and soul of the consumers in mind, particularly when it comes to pricing.
According to him, BUA Group’s products are one of the cheapest offered products with better quality to create that affordability for consumers.
He said, “we will continue to do that. We are largely footprinted in the South East, South -South. So most of our our customers in Onitsha actually feed from our factory and we are expanding those factories for their benefits.
“We are doing similar thing in Lagos, also to be able to diversify the product offerings in line with our strategic aspirations and also growing our product portfolio.
“We believe that food is basic, it is physiological, it is the lowest part of the pyramid of Maslow’s hierarchy. We will always need food in whatever situation or circumstances we find ourselves, whether at war or at peace. But we pray for more peace,” he said.
On the challenges facing the manufacturing sector, Engr Abioye said volatility is one of the big headache.
According to him, everytime there is disruptions in the global economy or the local economy, it creates a sort of turbulence which also impacts on Business in Nigeria.
“Largely, our costs are impacted, and once our costs are impacted, we have to work internally harder to optimize cost so that we can still offer consumers their products at a good price.
“We naturally don’t put all the costs to our consumers. And I must say this very clearly, we are the foremost Nigerian food business listed on the Nigerian Exchange, Infact, top leading. We pride ourselves as most profitable business today based on the NGX dashboard, and we are very proud to do that as an indigenous business.
“So we do recognize the importance of promoting our local brand and also projecting it sub-regionally and internationally,” he said.
He however, assured the company’s numerous customers of a very good products because that is what they want.
“The customers want a very good products, high quality products at a good price and on time, that is what we set out to do.
“We are set to fulfill our customer’s demand with our high quality products at a competitive price,” he said.
Speaking earlier, Group Managing Director of Champion Newspapers, Dr. Nwadiuto Iheakanwa commended the efforts of BUA Group towards job creation and poverty eradication in Nigeria, adding that it is one of those Groups that have saved Nigeria high level of poverty.
According to her, the Group has contributed in making products affordable and provided labour for Nigerians.
She said , “We are here to celebrate you. We are are happy with what BUA Group stands for. We thank God for firms like you that are standing to provide very important needs and services, foods that are fortified with vitamins.
“We are happy to present our letter to you. We are one of the oldest Newspapers in the country, and we are for a better society. We bring together those who have contributed and are contributing positively to the growth and development of the nation and celebrate them,”she added.
