The
first Nigeria Beer Festival is living up to its billing as Lagosians continue to
enjoy the excitement, fun and entertainment that pervade the Atlantic City Waterfront,
venue of the festival.
The
event which kicked off on Monday, September 25, opens daily with hundreds of
fun seekers trooping to the waterfront to enjoy the carnival. The weeklong
festival boasts of the largest community of beer consumers from across the
country.
Consumers
grabbed the opportunity to sample and enjoy the variety of brands from the
brewers’ portfolio. Brands like Heineken, Star, Goldberg, Gulder, 33 Export and
others were readily available for the crowd.
Kufre
Ekanem, Nigerian Breweries’ Corporate Affairs Adviser, explained that the
company’s involvement in the beer festival is to reinforce the culture of beer
as a social lubricant, which brings people from diverse backgrounds to unite in
enjoyment through responsible drinking. He added that the beer festival would
impact positively on the nation’s economy through its tourism channels.
“As the nation’s foremost brewer, we want to
ensure that the Nigeria Beer Festival is rich in various beer brands that would
connect with diverse consumers in a unifying and responsible manner. We are
also here to promote responsible drinking among consumers and fun seekers,” he
said.
Organisers
of the event have said that the festival is indeed a carnival of entertainment,
sales, tourism and a gathering of the largest community of beer consumers from
across the country. They added that it presents economic value for brands and the
nation’s economy.
Since
Monday evening when it flagged off, the festival has provided a fitting
ambience to showcase fashion, lifestyle and culture in a festive atmosphere
with various beer brands in Nigeria connecting with existing and potential
consumers.
Governor
Akinwunmi Ambode of Lagos State is expected to close the festival with an
Independence Day Mega Concert that will parade an array of A-list Nigerian
artistes, which will feature eye-popping fireworks display.