Saturday, 29 May 2021: The Chairman of the occasion at the ongoing 14th National Delegates Conference of the Food, Beverage and Tobacco Senior Staff Association, (FOBTOB), holding in Abuja, Mr Mathieu Seguin, has commended the leadership qualities of the Comrade Quadri Olaleye for piloting the affairs of the association to an enviable height.
Seguin, who is also the Managing Director of the Nigerian Bottling Company Limited, (NBC), who gave the commendation while speaking at the event showered encomium on Comrade Olaleye and his executives for directing the affairs of FOBTOB in an exemplary manner.
He said food, beverage and tobacco industries are critical to economies around the world, and this is not any different in Nigeria.
The NBC Managing Director said “the Covid-19 pandemic impact was felt in the areas of reduced economic activities, shortage in raw materials availability, disruption in supply chain, devaluation of the naira, higher import costs, restriction of movement and higher production costs among others.”
“In recent years, the performance and contribution of the players in this industry to the Nigerian economy, has grown in value and relevance.” He stated.
Earlier in his address of welcome, the President of the Food, Beverage and Tobacco Senior Staff Association, (FOBTOB), Comrade Quadri Adewumi Olaleye, said this is the first time that FOBTOB would be hosting her national delegates' conference in Abuja, the seat of power.
He appreciated the chief host, the Honourable Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Mohammed Musa Bello for accepting to attend the conference.
Olaleye also commended the Chairman of the occasion, who is also the Managing Director of the Nigerian Bottling Company Limited, Mr Mathieu Seguin, for his leadership capacity in handling the company. He noted that the Nigerian Bottling Company Limited has large numbers of FOBTOB members and had been committed to payment of membership subscription and remained a vibrant member of the Association which is laudable.
He bemoaned the state of the nation’s economy which is affecting members of the association seriously, noting that it is unbelievable that a country called giant of Africa can be in the abysmal level of economic doldrums that we are presently as a country.
Comrade Olaleye regretted that the present administration that one thought would bring the nation out the woods since 2015 has compounder the country’s woes with citizenry groaning under untoward hardship
He said the security situation in the country has deteriorated with mindless killings of innocent and law abiding citizens by elements of bandits stressing that the government need to strengthen the nation’s security apparatus to stop this acts of brigandage and eradicate this misnomer from our national life.
According to him, “The government must live up to the challenge of ensuring that Nigerians are free and secure wherever they choose to live.”
On African Continental Free Trade Areas, (AfCFTA), FOBTOB President said it was a pity that Nigeria had to shut its boarders soonest after signing the agreement.
He now suggested that the citizens need to be educated in details what AfCFTA stands for, its importance, benefits and challenges as well as for them to develop a culture of continental belonging.
Comrade Olaleye also paid glowing tributes to the past leaders of the association for a job well done and for laying a solid foundation for him to build on.
The theme of the conference was “The role of food, beverage and tobacco industry in the promotion of sustainable economic growth and quality job creation.”
The venue was Chida event center, 224, Solomon Lar Way, Utako District, Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.
