…Laments continuous subjection of women to discrimination

By Elizabeth Uwandu

MR Seleem Adegunwa, Managing Director, Rite Foods Limited, RFL, has stated that as part of activities marking the 2019 commemoration of International Women’s Day, tagged: BalanceforBetter, the company was delighted to give Nigerians, especially the females, a treat come March 30.

Mr Saleem Adegunwa, MD Rite foods limited.

RFL MD, who described women as the salt of the world said there was a need to celebrate the female gender, noting that IWD was a time to reflect on the progress women have made; a period to call for change and to celebrate acts of courage and determination by ordinary women who have played extraordinary roles in the history of their country and communities.

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Adegunwa whose company makes Bigi & Rite Sausages,   Bigi Beverages, Bigi Premium Table Water and Fearless Energy Drinks, explained that “IWD celebrated on March 8 yearly serves as a focal point in the movement for women’s rights. Its origin is traced to the beginning of Russian women suffrage in 1917 and became an international celebration for women in 1975 by the United Nations.

“However, despite Nigeria being a member to the UN alongside many other countries, women and girls who represent half of the world’s population are still subjected to all sorts of gender discriminative practices.

“Unfortunately, there is still an extremely long way to go in achieving satisfactory equality of rights and opportunities between men and women. Therefore, it is of paramount importance to think equal, build smart and innovate changes that will end the multiple forms of gender violence and secure equal access to economic resources and participation in political life,” Adegunwa explained.

Speaking on the activities lined up for the campaign tagged Food, Drinks and Her 2019, he said Rite Foods Limited is especially going to celebrate women in two arms with activities such as Pitcher’s Corner & Speed Networking Spot; Robotic Vending Machine; Subsidized RFL products for Purchase; 3d video & photo-booth RFL branded machine; RFL Branded Dart Board raffle draw.

“The first arm is targeted at Rite Foods Limited followers on social media platforms and individuals interested in women empowerment, rights and equality; while the second arm of this campaign aside from the pre-event registration stage is the main event and is targeted at women in the cocktail business in Nigeria; specifically the Female Mixologist Association of Nigeria.

“So, March 30 will be exclusively all-women affair that will have two sessions. The morning session will witness: Augmented Reality Display of Fearless with an RFL branded woman as the subject; Networking amongst mixologists and panel discussion session to be moderated by Lara Rawa & Mrs. Adegunwa; including a 3D Motion RFL branded interactive photo-booth.

“The afternoon session will feature: Cocktail Innovation Contest; Unique RFL chill out at the spot and a panel discussion moderated by Aderonke Sobodu.”

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Adegunwa added: “Our primary audience will include women from age 18 and above that will come from urban, semi-urban and rural areas. They are women who are technically savvy and use the net to impact lives. The second audience is men aged 18 years and above and are urban, semi-urban and rural dwellers. These are men who desire gender balance and already engaging in activities that encourage gender equality.”

Gender equality

On the benefits of the programme, he said: “This event is aimed at communicating the Rite Foods brand in a light which supports gender equality, leveraging on the International Women’s Day platform which is known for its affiliation to fostering peace and unity amidst gender disparity in countries across the globe.

“To promote the feminine gender and create a platform highlighting the strength of a woman, their survival in the male-dominated society; create a platform where women can interact, educate and pitch ideas to each other; engage and have a personal relationship with the brand’s female consumers; create brand visibility and awareness to prospective and already existing consumers and;  place the Brand in the positive space of the consumers’ minds by generating unique ideas, activities and engagement to commemorate the International Women’s Day,” Adegunwa intoned.