News

WOW! Balmoral Exploits the $40 billion Nigerian Drinks Industry

Published

9 years ago

30th November 2017

Three-Day International Drinks Festival Comes up Between December 1 and 3 in Lagos

All is set for the first ever International Drinks Festival in Nigeria organized by the Balmoral at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos. The event is expected to attract over 25000 people to witness the transformation that two friends, Ezekiel Adamu and Akin Eso are bringing to the Nigerian drinks industry, with an estimated value of $40 billion.

The festival is expected to be a huge market place where drinks will be sold at prices far less than regular. This is why the organisers chose December, when people tend to buy more drinks for the year end festivities. The three-day event kicks off on December 1 and will run through till December 3.

Both men are very familiar with the industry. Akin Eso is the convener of the popular wedding exhibition known as Wed Expo while Adamu is the Chief Executive Officer of the popular Balmoral, known for its cozy venues. The two friends have always had a symbiotic relationship which is now elevated to a new level. With the new working relationship, Balmoral has become a 360 events solution company spearheaded by three executives: Akin Eso who is the Chief Operating Officer, Goke Obembe, an Executive Director and Ezekiel Adamu who still retains his position as the Chief Executive Officer.

With their vast resources and knowledge, they are united in their quest to take Balmoral to a greater height. Together, they have brought some outstanding and far-reaching changes to the brand. Some of the changes that are visible include Balmoral Life which is the strategic thinking, marketing and ideas arm; Balmoral Exhibitions, Balmoral venues and Balmoral Hospitality.

“We intend to create own events and we will also partner with people to develop their own ideas. Our major concern is to create innovative platforms that are tailor-fit for specific sectors of the economy. The International Drinks Festival is the flagship brand that we are launching. We are going to have several other brands under the Balmoral group next year. What we pride ourselves on now is creating platforms for industries.” says Eso.

“With the International Drinks Festival, we are creating platforms whereby we have the drinks summit, which is where the business of drinks is being discussed. We have the exhibition, where the real brands will be able to showcase and also meet consumers as well as the hotel owners, club owners and the general public, then we also have the beer village which is more like an entertainment hub, whereby you have food and soft drinks. On the last day, we have the concert.”

A major entertainment offering at the festival is the Flair Bartending Show, where the performers will display astonishing bottle juggling skills. An appetizing teaser of things to come at the main event was showcased last August. Having a mini-show four months ahead in itself was a never-before-seen novelty in Nigeria. It was all they needed to convince brands and other participants that the main event was going to be a different experience.

However, with so much entertainment surrounding the event, Eso is quick to point out that the festival is more than just having fun.

“We are not just having an entertainment event. What happened in the past was just an entertainment event, everybody comes to drink and have fun. We have that as a small part of what we are doing in total. The beer part of it is the entertainment part. We still have the B2B part, where the general managers of hotels, the owners of clubs, top level management in drinks companies, government agencies like NAFDAC, Customs, SON are coming to and discuss how to take the drinks industry forward. Customs is going to be talking on importation, We have SON to talk on standards. NAFDAC will talk on how brands that want to come into Nigeria or even the small brands that want to register because you have a lot of people now making smoothies and different kinds of drinks. NAFDAC will be there to discuss how to get your NAFDAC certification and the right steps to take. All these agencies will exhibit their services.”

Adamu added: “This is the first event you are going to be seeing a Diageo opposite a Remy Martins; a Nigerian Breweries beside Guinness, Coke beside Pepsi, It is good for the consumers. A lot of people drink wine in this country, they don’t even know what they are drinking. There are a lot of people who don’t have a choice of drink, they just take whatever they see. With proper education, which is why we have the Masterclasses you will be able to understand; from tasting of wine to food pairing- don’t expect to be have Amala with wine. The experts will teach what goes with Amala; and what goes with other wine things.”

Among the things the Balmoral big wigs hope the International Drinks Festival will achieve for Nigeria is the collation of reliable and verifiable statistics. A lot of figures are being touted about Nigeria being one of the biggest consumers of beer and champagne. “Yes, Euro Monitor has contacted on their desire to conduct a survey because this is the only time they can meet every body they need to talk to in one place. We are also going to run our individual survey as people come in.”

News

Good Sweat Announces Culture Run, Blending Fitness and Culture In Lagos – October 31st

Published

3 days ago

26th October 2026

manlikeakoh

Fitness meets cultural expression as GOOD SWEAT prepares to bring its CULTURE RUN experience to Lagos on Saturday, October 31, 2026.

Designed around the connection between physical wellness and cultural identity, CULTURE RUN offers participants an opportunity to embrace an active lifestyle while celebrating the richness of African culture. The event brings together fitness enthusiasts, culture lovers, and individuals looking for a refreshing way to connect through movement and shared experiences.

The run is scheduled to begin at 4:30 PM, setting the stage for an evening that extends beyond fitness. At 6:00 PM, participants can look forward to the CULTURE PARTY, the event’s post-run celebration.

Adding to the experience is a distinctive dress code that encourages attendees to wear their regular running kits with a touch of cultural wear. This creative blend of athletic apparel and traditional-inspired fashion gives participants an opportunity to express their individuality while celebrating their cultural roots.

The event will take place at Bistrot Samantha’s, located at 7/12 Rumen’s Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.

With its combination of fitness, fashion, culture, and social interaction, CULTURE RUN aims to create an experience that extends beyond the running track, bringing people together through a shared appreciation for wellness and cultural expression.

As Lagos continues to embrace lifestyle experiences that combine fitness with social engagement, CULTURE RUN offers an opportunity for participants to stay active, celebrate their heritage, and connect with like-minded individuals in a vibrant setting.

EVENT DETAILS

Event: CULTURE RUN
Presented by: GOOD SWEAT
Date: Saturday, October 31, 2026
Run Time: 4:30 PM
Post-Run Party: 6:00 PM
Dress Code: Running kit with a touch of cultural wear
Venue: Bistrot Samantha’s
Address: 7/12 Rumen’s Road, Ikoyi, Lagos, Nigeria

Get Tickets

News

Pius Okogie Releases 15-Track Gospel Album, I Lift My Hands In Praise

Published

5 days ago

24th October 2026

Usman Oladuntoye

15 Songs. One Heart Lifted to God.

Gospel music minister Pius Okogie proudly announces the release of his new 15-track album, I Lift My Hands in Praise, now available worldwide.

The album is more than a collection of songs. It is an offering of praise, worship, gratitude, testimony, faith, victory, and surrender to the God who has remained faithful through every season.

Featuring songs such as I Lift My Hands in Praise, You Are Good, I Will Testify, Oghena Kho Oghie, Sweet Holy Spirit, Holy Ghost Fire, Victory on the Cross, and I Surrender All to You, the project offers listeners a powerful collection of worship experiences designed to strengthen faith, inspire gratitude, and draw hearts closer to God.

Through these 15 songs, Pius Okogie invites listeners to reflect on God’s goodness, celebrate His faithfulness, and experience the uplifting power of praise and worship.

Whether during personal devotion, prayer, thanksgiving, or moments of reflection, I Lift My Hands in Praise serves as a musical expression of faith and complete surrender to God.

STREAM ALBUM HERE

News

itel Launches A300+: Most Affordable Duo-Screen Smartphone with a Rear Screen

Published

3 weeks ago

7th October 2026

Usman Oladuntoye

itel, the technology empowerment brand for masses, officially unveiled its new product A300+, brand’s first interactive dual-screen smartphone in its price range. itel A300+ comes with a comprehensive set of features — a 7000mAh marathon battery, IP65 military-grade durability, and satellite communication capability, demonstrating that innovation and complete product strength can coexist at an accessible price point.

A First-of-Its-Kind Rear Screen Experience: Interactive Innovation for a New Generation

itel A300+ coming with an interactive rear display is a rare feature in this price category, designed to deliver a smart entertainment experience for young generations. Far from being a cosmetic gimmick, the rear screen provides practical functions built around real everyday scenarios. Users can frame selfies using the higher-quality rear camera with a live preview on the back screen, glance at incoming messages and alerts without waking the main display, and play, pause, or skip tracks directly from the rear screen. The rear display also supports customizable clocks, photos, and designs, giving users a personal window to express their individual style. Complementing the rear screen, the A300+ features a 6.78-inch immersive punch-hole main display, offering a cleaner, more expansive viewing experience for streaming, gaming, browsing, and social media.

Performance and Value in Balance: Delivering Fresh Technology Despite Industry Pressure

Even amid rising industry costs, itel has chosen to bring fresh technology to its products while continuously improving performance and keeping pricing accessible. The A300+ is powered by a 7000mAh marathon battery engineered for long-term reliability, supporting up to 1,200 charging cycles — far exceeding the industry standard, and designed to retain healthy capacity. AI Charging Protection intelligently manages charging patterns to reduce battery degradation, while Smart Power Management optimizes power consumption across apps and hardware to extend usage time between charges.

The device also features 300% ultra-volume DTS stereo speakers, delivering rich, room-filling sound for music, videos, FM radio, and everyday entertainment. Built to withstand daily life and beyond, the A300+ carries IP65 water and dust resistance certification and meets military-grade durability standards, resisting splashes, dust, and accidental drops. Notably, the A300+ includes satellite communication capability, ensuring users can still send basic messages via satellite when cellular networks are unavailable — a safety net in remote areas, during natural disasters, or in other critical situations, setting it apart in its price segment.

The A300+ is built on a clear product philosophy, rather than relying on a single headline feature, it combines its key strengths into one complete product story. The rear screen captures attention first, while battery life, durability, and practical usability make the overall value proposition convincing. With the A300+, itel once again demonstrates its commitment to using innovation to meet the needs and desire for novelty among young users in emerging markets.

The itel A300+ is available in two variants: the 64GB ROM and 128GB ROM and they are both available in all phone retail stores in Nigeria or via online store HERE