Wines and spirit producers under the umbrella body of the Distillers and Blenders Association of Nigeria have announced a six-month campaign to tackle irresponsible and underage drinking among the Nigerian populace.
The Chairman of the association, Chief Patrick Anegbe, disclosed this on Thursday while introducing the campaign to journalists and other stakeholders.
He noted that underage and irresponsible drinking were serious issues that must be tackled headlong even if it would affect the bottom line of the members.
According to him, this is the second phase of the campaign, which will cost the association N170m.
Anegbe said the advocacy would be multi-pronged, covering radio, bus branding, billboards, social media and television commercials, among others.
He said, “Underage and irresponsible drinking are issues of concern to the association. In 2019, our deep value for corporate social responsibility necessitated that we should respond with a strong advocacy platform to drive responsible drinking and zero-alcohol consumption for minors and underage.
“The campaign has been broken into three phases for smooth execution and the evaluation of our set objectives.
On the first phase, we spent N90m. We are on the second phase, which is a continuation of our consumer education programme, to which we have committed a total of N170m.
“Our concern is that anyone below the age of 18 years must not drink alcohol and even the adults who want to drink must drink responsibly. We are socially responsible and that is why we are saying the underage must be protected, even if our bottom line is affected.”
Anegbe said for the campaign to reach a wider audience, commercial buses plying Lagos roads, Abuja and inter-state routes would be branded, adding that the campaign would be pan-Nigeria, touching Kano, Port Harcourt, Onitsha and Aba
He said the association would continue to collaborate with regulatory agencies such as National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control, Federal Ministry of Health and other government agencies.
Speaking at the event, the Director-General, NAFDAC, Prof Mojisola Adeyeye, stated that the agency had noted with interest the various advocacy campaigns done by the association in promoting responsible drinking and kicking against underage drinking.
Adeyeye, who was represented by the Director, Food Safety and Applied Nutrition, Mr Sheriff Olagunju, noted that the consequences of underage drinking could be very devastating as found in delinquent behaviours such as cultism and armed robbery.
