Osun-Osogbo Update: Support For Festival Receives Royal Blessing

AS activities marking the 2014 edition of the annual Osun Osogbo Festival advance, notable individuals in Osogboland have commended the support from Goldberg, a high quality lager brand from the stables of Nigerian Breweries Plc., describing the support as enormous and encouraging.

The commendations came during the Stakeholders Presentation Forum held at the palace of HRM Oba Jimoh Oyetunji Olanipekun Larooye II, the Ataoja of Osogboland. The Forum was organised to enable the corporate sponsors brief the Ataoja and members of his cabinet on their planned activities for the Festival.

First to shower encomium on Goldberg for its support was Oba Olanipekun, who noted that Goldberg’s involvement and planned leveraging activities have surpassed that of last year, which was the brand’s maiden effort.

He said: “I must state that the support from Goldberg for this year’s festival has been outstanding and quite commendable so far. They came on board last year and as expected could not do so much. But this year, Goldberg has shown they mean business; their presence and support have been enormous”.

The royal father thanked Nigerian Breweries Plc., for the long standing support for the annual festival, which showcases the cultural values of the Osogbo people. He, however, urged the Goldberg Team to keep up the tempo.

On his own part, Araba Ifayemi Elebuibon, the Araba of Osogboland and member, Advisory Committee for the Osun Osogbo Festival, lauded Goldberg’s involvement with the festival, describing it as very good and welcome development.
He said: “I have personally observed that Goldberg’s involvement with the festival this year is actually taking the long-standing support from Nigerian Breweries Plc. to a new level with their planned activities. A look around the palace today tells me they are ready to do some outstanding things this year and I think that is quite good for the brand”.
According to the Araba, Goldberg is already gaining more market share around town since they started associating with the festival last year.
He said, “I noticed that a lot of beer consumers around here have switched to Goldberg since they started sponsoring the Osun Osogbo Festival. The reason is simple; anybody or corporate organisation that shows interest in what the people are passionate about will gain the people’s loyalty. Osun Osogbo is one thing Osogbo people are passionate about”.
Trailing the same path, Ayo Olumoko, Managing Director, INFOGEM Ltd., Official Consultants for the Osun Osogbo Festival also gave kudos to Goldberg Team for their level of involvement with the Osun Osogbo brand this year.
Olumoko said: “In the 26 years of Nigerian Breweries’ sponsorship of this festival, I have not seen the level of corporate presence that Goldberg is bringing to the festival this year. Their branding is unprecedented. Their presence is practically swallowing those of the other stakeholders. People around here are quite impressed with what they are doing”.
Mr Mfon Bassey, Brand Manager, Goldberg, Nigerian Breweries Plc. thanked the monarch and the people of Osogbo for giving the brand the privilege to be a part of the prestigious Osun Osogbo Festival this year, adding that the sponsorship is part of the brand’s policy of associating with and supporting events that are of traditional values to people around Nigeria.