It was a memorable Yuletide for Lagosians as the inaugural holiday edition of GTCO Food & Drink Festival held amidst fun and fanfare.
From December 20-21, the landmark event brought Africa’s largest food and beverage festival into the festive season, delivering a dynamic fusion of culinary excellence, family-centred experiences and enterprise development.
The event celebrated the richness of African cuisines while creating memorable holiday moments for families and unlocking new revenue opportunities for food-based Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
The two days duration of the festival saw Lagosians trooping into the venue in hundreds. There were indoor and outdoor sections for adults, while the section for children had assorted devices and equipment to keep them engaged. Even more interesting was the large turn out of Nigerians in the Diaspora, who had a good time tasting different dishes and buying drinks from different stalls of their choice.
In his remarks, Group Chief Executive Officer of GTCO Plc, Mr. Segun Agbaje, noted that the Yuletide was a further demonstration of the company’s commitment to fueling enterprise and celebrating African creativity.
“The GTCO Food & Drink Festival is a powerful platform that aligns with our mission to fuel enterprise, promote African creativity and connect communities through meaningful lifestyle experiences.
“The Holiday Edition gives us an exciting opportunity to celebrate the festive season while supporting thousands of food entrepreneurs who form the backbone of our economy,” he said.
This year’s holiday edition introduced several new and expanded features crafted specifically for festive celebrations. These include the Christmas Village – a beautifully curated holiday marketplace offering handcrafted gifts, seasonal delicacies, artisanal products, and holiday-themed entertainment.
There were also large children’s play zone, which was a fun-filled space with games, immersive activities, and holiday experiences designed for young families; as well as street food hub that showcased signature Nigerian street foods, highlighting the country’s culinary diversity. And as would be expected, there was also live entertainment, which kept the venue bubbling with music.
One of the attendees, Dr. Lilian Dureke, a Liberian, said it was her first time in Lagos but the second time she’s visiting Nigeria. “This is my first time in Lagos but my second time in Nigeria. I saw the GTB advertisement of this event, and we decided to come and have fun here. The children playground is amazing, it is beautiful; my children like it, we don’t have this back home. I came with three kids.”
On her part, Vivian Eze-Nwosu said: “This is my third time attending GTCO Food and Drink. I was here last year and the second time was in May. Before, my brand has benefited from this – it is growing. I thank GTCO for the opportunity to participate.”