The Ooni of Ife, Ooni Adeyeye Enitan Ogunwusi, CFR, Ojaja II has expressed full confidence in Nigeria’s potential to lead the entire continent of Africa to compete in the global market with quality goods, especially in the carbonated and beverage drinks industry.
The monarch made this remark Tuesday, 16 April during the unveiling of Tingo Cola –flavoured carbonated– and Tingo Electric, an energy drink respectively, produced by Tingo B.V. PLC; a spin-off company from his Ojaja Pan Africa Limited at Lekki Lagos.
Ooni believes Nigeria has what it takes to become the production hub of Africa and the world given its population, human resources, weather conditions, leadership, geographic location and proximity to the Atlantic Ocean.
He is confident that Nigeria can rival big beverage brands and globalize its local products to become a delight to the rest of Africa and the world.
Ooni also disclosed that during his formative years, it was always his dream to own a brand that would produce quality drinks to serve Nigerians and position the country as a leader in the African market and the global stage.
So when the opportunity came to produce Tingo Cola and Tingo Electric, he ensured all hands were on deck to put out the best quality regardless.
“The license under which we are currently producing Tingo Cola, Tingo Electra, Tingo Twist (Cucumber and Cranberry), and Tingo Booze Fruit Mix is proof that we are committed to quality and standards,” Ooni said.
“One of our main focuses is our sheer determination to elevate homegrown brands instead of demarketing them. That’s why we have put resources together to come out with these exceptional drinks to also produce what we consume in our bid to reduce importation and save the Naira,” he added.
Ooni further disclosed that his foray into commercial activities as a monarch is not primarily for business purposes but to serve as a pathfinder who can show people how to add value for international standards in production, distribution, and consumption.
“My delving into commercial activities was borne out of my passion for humanity, particularly the youth, to create five million direct and indirect jobs for them, mainly through retailing, recycling, and other forms of distributorship fully driven by technology,” the monarch explained.
Ooni also disclosed that the products produced by Tingo Foods have been certified by concerned regulators in the country led by NAFDAC, as safe for consumption and are beneficial to the entire body system with their uniqueness.
“The Tingo Cola, for instance, is laced with lemon flavour and other natural ingredients such as cucumber, cranberry, and others that showcase the brand’s originality and uniqueness. We made it according to safe specifications for consumption,” he said.
