The Chairman, Board of Trustees (BOT), Association of Professional Food Service Providers of Nigeria (APFSPN), Morenike Okupe, has charged food vendors on standard and hygiene to ensure growth of the industry. She spoke in Lagos at the association’s first induction ceremony. “Let your watchword be transparency, integrity and competence,” she said.
Okupe urged practitioners to have integrity, saying there was need to change the narrative that “caterers are thieves.” She also called on practitioners to invest in themselves, commit to excellence and avoid rivalry among themselves.
Okupe, who is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Malas Food, applauded the pioneers for their efforts to make the profession a respectable one.
Acting Lagos State Agriculture Commissioner, Abisola Ogunsanya, represented by Mrs. Toyin Omodunbi said the industry was playing a vital role in the society.
“Without food, there won’t be a nation as agriculture is the backbone of the nation’s economy. If there is no food, there won’t be any activity. Keep doing what you are know for,” she said.
Okupe said the group was formed to enlighten members on how to provide food services in a safe method, act as a link between the association and relevant stakeholders.
She educated members on packaging and encouraged them to acquire skills as well as comply with food service regulations.
She revealed the association was created to cushion the effect of COVID-19 on practitioners.
Okupe advised members to train their staffers to execute their services professionally and called on the government to create systems where foodstuffs are at a reduced rate.
Founder, Sweethands Enterprise, Monioluwa Osho, said the association would always place emphasis on competence, adding that and urged them to strive to do the professional industry proud.
She added that the association would hold periodic trainings on money management and career development would be done in the association.
