Despite the bad economy experienced by many Nigerians and organisations in 2024, Ayoola Foods Nigeria Ltd made out time to celebrate its distributors spread across Nigeria and beyond.
The customer forum took place at the Radisson Blue Hotel at Ikeja, Lagos on Saturday February 1
At the event, the Managing Director of the company, Engr. Segun Olaye expressed great appreciation to God for making it possible for the company to survive the year 2024.
He described the outgone year as the worst in the history of the country and indeed in the life of many organisations.
Olaye said he had known that the economy would experience some downturn. ‘But I did not know it would be this bad. It was really a bad year. It’s only countries at war that experience what we experienced last year..We pay for raw materials and before we get delivery we would be asked to pay more because prices have gone up. It was really bad. But there is cause to thank God because it was God who made us survive the year.’ He said.
He said further that it would have been easy for him not to hold the customer forum and not give the usual incentives to distributors because everybody knew the economy was bad.
‘But I would not do that. I believe the profit we got is meant to be distributed among all those who made it happen. That is why we have to keep encouraging our distributors who God have used to keep us in business.’ He said..
Directors of Ayoola Foods and top distributors at the customer forum
Gratitude when things are bad
According to him, ‘it is when things are bad that we are supposed to show gratitude. We have to celebrate our distributors who did so well. In business it is not all about profit alone.
“It is about the fact that we went through fire and came out unscathed. I am so happy we survived 2024.’
While expressing hope that 2025 will be better he said, ‘There will be stability from what I see. Prices may not come down, but I believe the economy will be more stable. ‘
He said the fastest way to get Nigeria back on track is for government to ensure security of lives. ‘Farmers have had to abandon their farms because of the insecurity of lives. We cannot talk of food security without the security of lives and property’ he said.
Generous incentive
At the forum many of the distributors went home with generous incentives despite the challenges the company passed through last year..
Olaye encouraged them to put in more efforts in the current year adding that they can be sure of getting more incentives. He.said he would take strict business decisions that will be of benefit to all distributors who move a step higher in their sales in 2025.
