Various reactions from Nigerians have trailed the launch of a Ramadan campaign by Erisco Foods Limited, manufacturers of the now infamous Nagiko Tomato Mix that was at the centre of a controversial review on Facebook by one Chioma Okoli that has soon led to her arrest and subsequent legal tussle with the manufacturers.
The Ramadan Special Promo which was launched recently was purportedly aimed at restoring consumer trust and bolstering sales amid increasing boycott calls for products from the stables of Erisco Foods.
The promo which published on its social media page encourages consumers to buy and get an extra carton of 20 cartons of 1.1 kg, get 1 carton free, 15 cartons of 210g SUP, get 1 carton of 210g SUP free, 15 cartons of 400g SUP, get 1 carton of 400g SUP free and 100 cartons of 400g tin, to get 1 carton of 400g tin free.
The campaign comes on the heels of different calls and hashtags on and off social media, calling for the boycott of Erisco Foods products. Some Nigerians have also taken to the streets in Lagos to protest what they termed intimidation of a married woman with child, by the company. There are also speculations that the protest may extend to other states in the coming days.
Reacting to the campaign directly on Erisco Foods’Instagram page, user, @Momcy33 noted that the promo is “damage control” while another user, @babygirl.somto simply added that the manufacturers are “bullies”.
X user, GodsWillAlone4Naija reacted in a similar, albeit, stronger vein, noting, “ I’ll rather buy fowl shit than buy Erisco Tomato Paste.” Yet another user, IAM@ Ginijr TV added, “Gino no even need to spend money on social media promotion again, see as them dey trend, make them just tweet “Our customers review mean the world to us at Gino” Erisco go just call tomato squad for panti to arrest them.”
Recall, Chioma’s arrest had sparked widespread outrage across social media, drawing local and international attention from bodies like Amnesty International, with many condemning Erisco’s handling of the situation and advocating for a more diplomatic resolution to consumer grievances.
As at press time, it was gathered that some Nigerians have raised N1m to support Chioma in her legal battle against Erisco Ltd. Inibehe Effiong, Chioma’s legal counsel who made this disclosure on his X account, he wrote “The fact that Nigerians have donated a million Naira in less than 16 hours since we launched the fundraising to support her cause is yet another reminder that we can resist the oppressive moneybags when we are united by a common purpose.
In a related development, a social media commentator, Reno Omokeri, has condemned those calling for the boycott of all products from Erisco Foods.
In a series of posts made on his official X page recently, Omokri noted that the boycott of products from Erisco Foods does more harm than good to Nigeria, the Naira, and Nigerians. Omokri, who is a strong advocate of buying made-in-Nigeria products to grow the value of the Naira, noted that “Erisco Foods makes made-in-Nigeria products. Therefore, anybody who wants to undermine that company is automatically an enemy of Nigeria.’
While there has been no official confirmation of declining sales, speculation has arisen suggesting a potential drop in demand following the backlash against Erisco Foods products, a development that may have led to the promo.
Omokri, who is a strong advocate of buying made-in-Nigeria products to grow the value of the naira, noted that “Erisco Foods makes made-in-Nigeria products. Therefore, anybody who wants to undermine that company is automatically an enemy of Nigeria.”
“People like Eric Umeofia, the CEO of Erisco Foods, should be the apple of the eye of the Nigerian government. We should treat them like eggs. By producing locally, they create jobs, grow our GDP, and boost the value of the naira.
“If anybody is guilty of undermining his reputation and that of his products with lies, that person should go straight to jail, pregnant or not!
“If you believe in me and #GrowNairaBuyNaija, then go out tomorrow and buy any product manufactured by Erisco Foods. Let us show this made-in-Nigeria manufacturer that we are not all sentimental people. If Nigeria will survive, it will be because of companies like Erisco,” Omokri said.