News
Chioma: Nigerians blast Erisco Foods, call for boycott of the product
Chioma: Nigerians blast Erisco Foods, call for boycott of the product
A cross-section of concerned Nigerians has called for the local and international boycott of all products from Erisco Foods over the alleged continuous “witch hunting” and prosecution of Chioma Okoli by Chief Eric Umeofia, the founder of Erisco Foods Limited.
Erisco customer Mrs. Chioma Okoli, who gave a review of the tomato paste brand, was re-arrested on the orders of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, despite court orders.
Okoli was arrested around 7:00 a.m. on Tuesday, January 9, 2024.
She was previously arrested and detained in September 2023 over her review of a tomato product manufactured by Erisco Foods Limited.
Chioma Okoli, on September 17, 2023, made a post on her Facebook page, highlighting the high sugar content in the tomato mix and inviting her followers who might have used the same product to share their opinions. Her post reads:
“I went to buy tin tomatoes yesterday that I will use to make stew. I didn’t see Gino and Sonia, so I decided to buy this one (Nagiko). When I opened it, Omo! I decided to taste it. Sugar is just too much. Haa biko (please) let me know if you have used this tin tomato before because this is like gwuru (tiring) situation.”
A review that has since led to her incarceration has caused an uproar among Nigerians.
Reacting to Chioma’s situation, Lara Miles on X stated that “Erisco Fiasco highlights the negative mentality of top personalities and brands in Nigeria.
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“We just hate criticism as a people. Criticize a big person, and you get labeled “enemy of progress” or “bad belle. It’s why we never grow.”
In his reaction, Obehiegu Akhide argued that “Eriscoe Foods’ CEO is simply bullish and needs to understand that acts like this do not stand.
“Chioma has done nothing wrong. He can make claims about others, but others can’t make claims about him or his products.
“Why do I need a NAFDAC report to confirm my review of a product that I consume? Nigeria Police, Una useless die.”
Edu Ojoi noted that following Chioma’s arrest, his family had boycotted all Erisco Foods products.
“We have already boycotted it right from day one in our house. The MD arrested her. I no longer buy it as a gift to people I do give in every celebrating season. My supplier kept begging.”
While George Inimfoh urged Nigerians to “give me a list of their products; even if it’s that which I had at home, I’m going to pour it and burn the container,” Nzubechi on X stated that “I have boycotted them since last year.”
He added that he “can’t patronize an abuser.”
Another X user, Edidiong Otton, said, “I already told my wife she shouldn’t buy any of their company products.”
Calling the CEO of Erisco Foods “an evil man,” Jasper Izuchukwu stated, “as for me and my family, we are done with Erisco products.”
Another Nigerian identified as Obrian the Great argued that “the fact I know about Erisco foods from this debacle shows the product is not for me.
“How the man is addressing the issue seems to indicate he has no case against her. Intimidating her is all he has done since. A lawless country indeed.”
For Mez Unic Nwapa, she noted that “Seeing the owner on TV swear that he would rather die than not see the lady go to prison is a low moment for me and a very bad PR for the company.”
Chioma: Nigerians blast Erisco Foods, call for boycott of the product
News
Vigilant Landlord Helps Free Teenager Locked in Toilet for Weeks in Rivers State
Vigilant Landlord Helps Free Teenager Locked in Toilet for Weeks in Rivers State
Police detain employer couple in Port Harcourt and contact the young worker’s family.
Police officers in Port Harcourt have rescued a 15-year-old domestic worker after she was locked inside a toilet for weeks by the couple employing her.
The incident occurred in a residential building in the Abuloma community of Rivers State, where a watchful landlord noticed that the young worker had not been seen outside for a long time. Suspecting something was wrong, the property owner contacted local officers, who visited the apartment and helped the teenager out of the locked room.
The young girl, who came from Ebonyi State to work in the home, was reportedly kept in the restricted space as punishment and given only minimal leftover food once a day.
Community members expressed relief after officers from the Abuloma Police Division stepped in to secure her safety and placed both employers under arrest.
State police spokesperson Assistant Superintendent Blessing Agabe confirmed that the employers remain in custody while detectives complete their inquiries.
Police officials also made clear that the teenager is in safe care and will not go back to that residence. Authorities are now working directly with her family members as the investigation proceeds toward potential court charges
Vigilant Landlord Helps Free Teenager Locked in Toilet for Weeks in Rivers State
News
NBS: Nigeria’s Inflation Slips to 15.39% in August
NBS: Nigeria’s Inflation Slips to 15.39% in August
Nigeria’s inflation rate eased to 15.39 per cent in August 2026 as the pace of price increases slowed across the economy, the National Bureau of Statistics has reported.
The latest Consumer Price Index report shows a modest fall from the 15.43 per cent recorded in July.
A sharper improvement was recorded in monthly inflation. The rate dropped from 1.57 per cent in July to 0.71 per cent in August, meaning prices continued to rise but at a much slower pace.
Food inflation also slowed significantly.
The NBS put year-on-year food inflation at 19.57 per cent in August. This was below the 25.30 per cent recorded a year earlier. Monthly food inflation also fell sharply, moving from 5.56 per cent in July to 1.02 per cent in August.
The statistics agency attributed the monthly decline to lower average prices for a range of food products, including palm oil, pepper, onions, cassava flour, beef, yam flour, egusi, ginger, fresh fish, Irish potatoes, chicken and turkey.
The improvement, however, was not shared equally across the country.
Adamawa had the highest annual food inflation rate at 38.85 per cent. Zamfara followed with 37.96 per cent, while Bayelsa recorded 36.20 per cent.
At the other end, Borno recorded negative annual food inflation of -4.04 per cent. Jigawa recorded -0.23 per cent, while Kebbi stood at 3.47 per cent.
For monthly food inflation, Katsina recorded the highest rate at 9.48 per cent, followed by Rivers at 8.86 per cent and Osun at 8.32 per cent.
The latest figures suggest a broad slowdown in price growth, although the wide differences between states show that many households are still facing very different food price pressures depending on where they live.
NBS: Nigeria’s Inflation Slips to 15.39% in August
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As Olalekan Oyeyemi is buried in Osogbo, authorities transfer murder probe to the State Criminal Investigation Department.
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