AFFCON Reiterate Commitment to Sustain Food Security in the Country

AFFCON 2015 National Conference/Food Expo

The Association of Fast Food Confectioners of Nigeria, AFFCON has reiterated its commitment to continue to work at improving its knowledge and skills in order to better manage its businesses in the face of global competition as well as sustain food security in the long term in the country.

AFFCON National President, Mrs. Bose Ayeni who disclosed this during her welcome address at the 2015 National Conference/Food Expo held at the Blue Roof of the Lagos Television, Agidingbi, Ikeja, said the event is aimed at bringing together the critical legs in the food value chain in an interactive session.

Ayeni while shedding more light about the association, said AFFCON was set up to promote and protect the interest of fast food operators and all significant stakeholders, adding that its core mandate is to promote cooperation, leading to healthy competition amongst fast food operators.

“AFFCON is a platform through which we foster harmonious relationship with the various tiers of government, working with them to establish acceptable standard in the industry.

“The association is committed to ensure that member organisations strive towards achieving and maintaining international standards in all our areas of operations to guarantee maximum customer satisfaction.” she said.
Speaking on the theme of the event “Synergy in the Food Chain: A Catalyst for Economic and Agricultural Development”, Ayeni said food is critical to Nigeria’s national growth and economic development, noting that the country can no longer relegate agriculture to the background.

She stated that it is no longer news that the Nigerian Fast Food Industry is a key contributor to the Nigerian economy with estimated annual revenue of #230 billion and taxes in excess of a billion naira.

The AFFCON President also noted that the Fast Food Industry collectively provides employment for over 500,000 people at the processing and retailing levels.

“We are certainly contributing to the reduction of unemployment in this country, which is a focal point of the Federal Government.” she said.

Ayeni however said that this figure can increase tremendously if Fast Food business is given the right environment to strive.

She further stated that with the new administration of President Muhammadu Buhari, there has been improvement in electricity supply, noting that regular supply of power will reduce cost drastically and invariable impact on the prices of commodities.

Amongst the myriad of challenges facing the new government, the AFFCON president stated that security, exchange, inflation and interest rates, and urgent diversification of the economy, has a direct impact on the fast food industry.

Ayeni also noted that one of the challenges stunting the potential growth of the Fast Food Industry is access to and cost of capital.

She therefore call on government to continue to support the association as well as assured all who strive for growth and development to take full advantage of the event by interacting, socializing and sharing of business ideas.

Meanwhile, in his goodwill message, the General Manager/CEO, Lagos State Environmental Protection Agency (LASEPA), Engr. Adebola Sbabi said the theme of the event in itself is exciting to an environmentalist because in the environmental family, it is believed that environmental management system requires a joint effort to make it sustainable.

Shabi disclosed that the partnership LASEPA has enjoyed with AFFCON in Lagos State has been a positive synergy, adding that the agency till date still enjoys the support given by AFFCON especially in understanding the policy drive in environmental protection.