It was a day of huge financial rewards laced with pomp for the customers and distributors of Dangote food companies as the management doled out millions of naira in addition to all-expense paid trips to Dubai in appreciation of their patronage for the year 2018.
Hundreds of customers as well as 77 major distributors from across the nation were honoured at the 2018 Dangote Customers Celebration and Food Distributors’ Award Night, organised by Dangote Foods. Dangote Foods comprises of Dangote Flour Mills, Dangote Sugar Refinery and NASCON Allied Industries.
At the award dinner held Tuesday in Lagos, 54 winners emerged from the geopolitical regions while the balance was in the other and national categories. Ali Balarabe of Balarabe & Sons emerged the overall best performing customer in the national category for the second consecutive time.
In her welcome address, chairman of NASCON Allied Industries, Yemisi Ayeni, who described the customers as ‘the most important part of our business,’ said the recognition of this symbiotic partnership formed the theme of the award ceremony; ‘Better. Stronger. Together.’ She added that the event was to honour the customers who made it possible for Dangote food products to be the preferred choice in all households.
She said, “Your continuous patronage over the years demonstrates your confidence in our product range; sugar, flour and salt. You have helped to create awareness for Dangote Food products across the six geopolitical regions. This has led to increased consumption of our products in the regions.”
President/CE, Dangote Industries Limited, Aliko Dangote, in his remarks, said the award was to appreciate customers and distributors who through their dogged and persistent efforts had made Dangote Foods products a household name in Nigeria.
He said, “You are all aware that we are celebrating 2018 against all odds. Our Food businesses recorded mixed results in the year with NASCON growing while Dangote Sugar Refinery and Dangote Flour Mill had a very difficult year. Fluctuations in performance are known to occur in the life of businesses but the greater part is that you persevered with us. My special commendation goes to Dangote Sugar and Pasta customers who, despite the price challenges posed by influx of unlicensed and substandard grey imports stood by us.”
“We have remained the dominant brand in most of the sectors where we play in the food sector, and we are delighted to have you as our partners through thick and thin,” he said.
He disclosed that the company invested massively in the sugar sector across the country in line with its Backward Integration Project targeted at the production of 1.5 million metric tonnes per annum of refined sugar in the next 10 years.
Dangote said the challenges would soon become history, as investment in the sugar sector would soon create between 75,000 to 150,000 jobs, price reductions and improved profits to customers.
He commended the customers for enduring the Apapa gridlock that caused delay to product delivery and increased cost to business.
“To reduce the traffic gridlock, we invested significantly in the Apapa road reconstruction project and the completion in 2019 should bring massive relief to our three food companies as well as our competitors operating from the axis,” he said.
