By Moses Nosike

As the Federal Government is making concerted efforts to  reverse economic recession in the country, brand owners, financial institutions, telecom operators, manufacturers and other players in the Nigerian economy in the vein advise government to diversify in those areas that would ensure quick and steady recovery such as agriculture, science and technology, tourism that attracts foreign exchange and investment.

However, in pursuit of the above, some industry players in Nigerian business environment are perfecting plans to organise first of its kind, Nigeria Beer Festival in Lagos. This excitingly would see Nigeria enrolled into the league of Beer Festivals around the World. According to the organisers, “This is a festival or exhibition that takes place in many countries of the world with huge tourism and economic benefits and Nigeria will not be left out.

Evidence has shown that, Beer Festivals around the World has fast grown to become major tourism events across the globe with countries like Germany attracting well over 50,000 tourists to its yearly “oktoberfest” beer festival. Other notable countries are Czech Republic, Canada, Durham, Columbia, Britain, Belgium, among others.

“Nigeria Bear Festival will be a week long carnival-like funfair, entertainment, sales and marketing event with the idea to gather the largest community of beer consumers from across the country and beyond with economic value for the brands and the economy at large.

Each of participating brands have the opportunity to own particular days during the week to entertain the teeming visitors at the festival. Variety of beer brands will be available for tasting and purchase in a carnival like atmosphere.

A selection of top Nigerian artistes will perform daily at the festival. Fashion show, music concerts, fireworks display, carnival, lifestyle, barbeque, asun, beer will beautiful the atmosphere at Tafawa Balewa Square, Lagos, the proposed venue. It is also important to note that the festival would serve as an umbrella for other sectors of the economy to display their products and services which will attract business networking etc.

In order to display and achieve first class standards as obtained in other parts of the world with world class innovation, The Nigeria Beer Festival organisers in partnership with reputable and qualified architects in Poland and Spain have designed modula stand to fit into any shape or style desired by exhibitors.

When asked, why a Beer Festival in Nigeria? Organisers of the festival revealed that Nigeria has the largest population in Africa, a growing middle class and a large number of drinking age consumers continues to emerge. Again Nigeria is indisputably the second largest alcohol market in the entire Africa, with an expected total volume of 15.2m hectolitres per year. So, drinking alcohol is a social activity in Nigeria, as 80% of the country’s alcohol sales are on-trade. Beer is the most popular alcoholic drink in the country, making up the larger percentage of all alcohol sales.

Therefore, this event will be an organised platform to showcase and market the various beer brands and other alcoholic drinks in Nigeria with reference to business, lifestyle, culture, tradition and social economic benefits in a carnival like atmosphere.

The organisers also make bold to say that this festival is strictly for adult who are advised to drink reasonably, saying further that Nigeria Beer Festival will not admit persons below 18 years”.

Reacting to this initiative coming to Nigeria the first time, Okon Philip who operates a wholesale beer business in Kirikiri town, Lagos, said: “This is a good initiative thought at the right direction. We need something that would improve our lifestyle and attract other countries to Nigeria for business transaction, invest here and employ our youths because unemployment is high here. The organisers should be cautious of security so that people will not misbehave during the event. I would happy to attend it, go around and see for myself beer brands people consume more”, he said.

Charles Okonkwo has a warehouse at Agege where he sells brand of beers and soft drinks with two of his younger brothers has this to say: “This is my first time to hear this. I’m in support of it because I always support good initiatives from people that would benefit the public at the end of the day. If I’m in Lagos that I would create time to attend it, but organisers should make tickets cheap so that people can afford it because of the situation in the country. There is no money, business is dull, so they should consider that”.

Kudirat Sadiq, a beer parlour owner at Surulere said, “I have been in beer business for 7 years now. We need this kind of things to move the country forward. Now the country is in recession, people are loosing their jobs, business is slow. If this beer festival you are talking about would help change the situation in the country, attract Oyibo people to invest in our country I support it. After all this beer business is what I’m doing to train my children in schools.

Mustapher Abdul, a Maritime worker at Apapa, Lagos, said: “My fear is that most Nigerians don’t exercise self-control when drinking, especially when it’s free. Is only few people I know that drink reasonably. I would suggest, if possible let there be rules that will checkmate the level of tasting that day. Personally I don’t drink, but any good initiative that would showcase Nigeria before the world and increase our investment portfolio I support it”.