…promotes growth of local SMEs
As part of efforts at ensuring sustainable economic development in the Southwestern Nigeria, the Bigi Carbonated Soft Drink (CSD) brand of Rite Foods, has sponsored the project of Ogun State First Lady, Her Excellency, Mrs. Bamidele Abiodun’s “Adire Market Week”, an exhibition for small and medium scale enterprise (SMEs) in the local textile industry.
The Adire (Yoruba, tie, and dye) fabric is the indigo-dyed cloth made in Southwestern Nigeria by Yoruba women, using a variety of resist-dyeing techniques.
The Bigi brand sponsored the exhibition as part of local content development, with the theme “Authentic African,” and was held from 7 to 9 April, 2022, in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital.
The 3-day event which was flagged off by the Executive Governor of the State, Prince Dapo Abiodun, and with about 5,000 people in attendance, comprised of an exhibition of traders and producers of the indigo-dyed fabric and also a fashion show, as well as visits from various groups and agencies, including celebrity guests, designers, and artistes performance.
Commenting on the award-winning Bigi brand’s support, Rite Foods Brand Manager, Boluwatife Adedugbe, said it is a way of identifying with the people and cultural heritage of the Ogun State, in encouraging skills and local content development as well as economic transformation of SMEs and other value chains within the indigo-dyed fabric sector.
She stated that the Bigi brand supported the First Lady’s “Adire Market Week” with products and funds to ensure the success of the exhibition, which is regarded as the biggest in the SMEs sector of Ogun State.
According to her, the brand with its 13 variants will also be refreshing the participants at the events with the carbonated soft drinks which have set the pace in the beverage industry.
“Bigi is committed to the growth of the economic ventures of Ogun State indigenes through viable platforms like the “Adire Market Week,” and as a leading brand that believes in innovation and creativity, it is contributing to the actualisation of the scheme for the benefit of the local SMEs and others within the local spectrum,” she avowed.
Eulogising the brand for the support towards the success of the project, the Ogun State First Lady remarked that the Bigi brand has truly demonstrated that it is proudly Nigerian and seeks to promote the values inherent in the people within its area of operations and market focus.
She pointed out that it is a way of showing that the consumers are at the core of its mission and the event would lead to display of expertise in local attire, networking and exchange of ideas among SMEs in Ogun State.
