Firm seeks tourism development through innovations in food production
By Chinyere Joel-Nwokeoma
A Business Development Manager, Mr Demilola Olaniyi, says Nigeria’s tourism industry could be developed through innovations in food and beverage production and provide more jobs.
Olaniyi, Business Development Manager, Cosmos Trade Nig. Ltd., a leader in sales and specialised training in the production of ice cream, said this at a training and exhibition organised by Gelato & Coffee University.
The event held on Thursday in Lagos.
Olaniyi called for collaboration with both the public and private sectors in developing Nigeria’s tourism potential.
He said the company desired to boost Nigeria’s tourism potential through its training outfit, Gelato and Coffee University.
He also urged collaboration with schools and non-profit organisations to further strengthen the university’s impact and position Nigeria more as a culinary tourism destination.
“We work with the government, but it would be nice if we could do more with them.
“We would like to partner with the Bank of Industry. This is something that we can add to our tourism portfolio and bring awareness,” he said.
He said the company was committed to driving tourism and empowering entrepreneurs in the food and beverage industry.
Olaniyi said the company was recently certified as the 13th Carpigiani Gelato University in the world.
“I see this as a very good thing for Lagos State and Nigeria, essentially because this can be added to our tourism portfolio here, and it can bring a lot of traction to our states and country,” he said.
He said the training outfit was established by Cosmos Trade Nig. Ltd. to fill a gap in the hospitality sector by providing hands-on training in coffee and gelato production for beginners and professionals.
“We realised that there is a gap in the market. A lot of people want to enter the food and beverage industry, but they don’t know how to go about it.
“Being a barista, gelato chef, you can train yourself on that and grow yourself in that market.
“The food and beverage industry is really big in Nigeria, and the world is at your feet if you can grab it,” Olaniyi said.
He said the university offerred structured training programmes ranging from three days to two weeks and covering basic, intermediate and advanced levels.
Olaniyi said the courses were affordable compared to similar ones in Europe or the U.S.
“This campus is not only for people in Nigeria but for all of Africa, even the Middle East,” he said.
According to Olaniyi, Cosmos Trade Nig. Ltd. is a supplier of equipment and raw materials for gelato, tea and coffee production.
He noted that the company pioneered office coffee vending in Nigeria.
“We provide the hot beverage machine, the consumables, and also the technical support that goes with it.
“This is something that we see growing, and there is a lot of potential in the market,” he said.
A customer of Cosmos Trade Nig. Ltd., Mrs Olivia Okeke, who operates Milk and Honey by Livvy’s Twist, a café in Lagos, praised the company’s after-sales support and product quality.
“They have excellent support. We purchased the first unit last year, and it has been wonderful. I purchased another one last week,” Okeke said.
She also commended the firm’s reliability.
Also, a student of the Gelato & Coffee University, Mr Osagie Anthony, said the training opportunities were enormous.
“I have learnt about the origin of gelato, how to balance ingredients and how to create recipes from scratch.
“We also covered the business side and the latest technology,” Anthony said. (NAN)(www.nannews.ng)
Edited by Ijeoma Popoola
Published By
- Senior Editor
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