The Nigerian Export Promotion Council, NEPC and Free Onboard global Logistics today achieved a feat of exporting eight tonnes of raw packaged Pap paste called in local parlance Ogi in Yoruba, Dawa and joro in Hausa to the United Kingdom.
The export of the product took place from the Cargo section of Murtala Mohammad International Airport, Lagos.
The product produced in Abuja and moved over to Lagos for export by Bubez Foods was packaged in 7 different variance of strawberry, vanilla flavour, ginger, groundnut, soyabeans, mixed, yellow paste.
The packaged pap paste is processed from maize, millet and sorghum.
Briefing journalists at the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company, NAHCO boardroom, the Managing Director, Bubez Foods, Ms. Ijeoma Ndukwe said the product was carefully and hygienically processed for everyone’s consumption.
According to her, it took 45 days from fermentation to packaging in their main factory in Abuja and transported to the NAHCO warehouse perishable facility in Lagos.
“This is 8 tonnes leaving today, 8 tonnes were not produced in 7 days, we don’t cut corners with our productions so it is the full fermentation of your maize, millet and your sorghum, even if you have this in your home for the next two years as long as it is frozen our good.
“The product has been taken by individuals across the globe”, she added.
Ms. Ndukwe commended the Federal government for creating the enabling environment for export to thrive and was happy to be one of the beneficiaries of government’s support of its zero oil policy.
“This partnership with the NEPC under the leadership of Mr. Segun Awolowo what that is doing for us as a business is quickness to markets, the fact that within 24 hours through Ethiopian airline and by tomorrow, it will get to the UK that for me is mind blowing”.
The Executive Director/CEO, NEPC, Mr. Segun Awolowo represented by the Regional Coordinator, NEPC, Lagos office Mr. Samuel Oyeyipo said, it was the duty of the NEPC to ensure that the product finds it way to the UK market and for the export of the product to continue.
He stated that the NEPC was happy to have facilitated the process seamlessly, adding that this was one of the main purpose for which the organization was set up not just to assist people to grow in terms of non oil export but to ensure that the process, in terms of procedure and documentation were well taken care of so that non oil export can continue.
“The NEPC is a Federal government agency set up for the development and promotion of non oil products out of this country and we are also met to support export related industries that are coming up to ensure the find their feet in the international markets such as we have here today like Bubez pap that produce this product.”
Managing Director, Free Onboard global Logistics, Mr. Jimi Adebankin applauded Ms. Ndukwe for her initiative and insight for coming up with Bubez pap and for keying into the FG zero oil policy program and export of goods.
“What Bubez MD has demonstrated is that money can grow on trees, no matter the amount of dollars that we want, if I want a hundred thousand dollars, give me your ugwu I will convert it to $100,00. This product, the pap, this time next year I prophesy on every shelves not only in the UK, across Europe, the US, UAE, China, India because of your insight, this product will be there.I want to use this opportunity also to thank to the Executive Director of NEPC, to thank the Minister of Trade, Industry and Investment that is giving the necessary and required support to the NEPC to be able to facilitate what we are doing here today.”
The designated airline for the pap export, Ethiopian airlines through its Cargo Manager, Mr. Solomon Mekonnen pledged the airline support for export of Nigerian products.”We have been here all the time to support the people of Nigeria to promote export from Nigeria, we have huge cargo presence here. We are very pleased and we will not hesitant to render our support on this export project.”
