The Leadership Team of Cadbury Nigeria Plc with Mrs. Folashade Ambrose-Medebem, Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, who was the Special Guest of Honour at the celebration of Cadbury’s 60th anniversary and employee cultural diversity initiative, held over the weekend in Lagos.
Lagos State has announced plans to spearhead the implementation of a new Industrial Policy aimed at creating a more enabling environment for businesses and investors in the state.
The Lagos State Commissioner for Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment, Mrs. Folashade Kaosarat Bada Ambrose, disclosed this during the 60th anniversary celebration of Cadbury Nigeria Plc, held over the weekend in Lagos.
Speaking on behalf of the State Governor, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, the Commissioner said the new Industrial Policy is one of the strategic pillars under the state’s economic agenda to make Lagos a globally competitive 21st-century economy.
According to her, the policy is designed to attract sustainable investments by prioritising infrastructure development, offering investment incentives, promoting industrial clusters, and deepening public-private sector collaboration.
“As part of our administration’s agenda to make Lagos a globally competitive 21st-century economy, the Ministry of Commerce, Cooperatives, Trade and Investment is leading the implementation of a new Industrial Policy designed to create a more enabling environment for businesses,” she said.
Ambrose emphasised that the Lagos State Government looks forward to working closely with Cadbury Nigeria and other key stakeholders to ensure that the new policy delivers tangible results, enhances productivity, and promotes inclusive prosperity.
She commended Cadbury Nigeria for its continuous investment, innovation, and job creation in Lagos, noting that manufacturing companies remain vital to the state’s economic growth and industrial resilience.
“On behalf of Mr. Governor, I bring warm greetings and appreciation for your continued investment and operations in Lagos. Mr. Governor holds private sector players, especially manufacturing companies like Cadbury Nigeria, in high esteem,” she added.
The Commissioner, who served as the Special Guest of Honour at the event tagged BRA NAN WAZOBIA DAY 2025, explained that the celebration aligns with Cadbury Nigeria’s commitment to promoting cultural diversity and inclusion.
She noted that WAZOBIA DAY is an annual event that celebrates Nigeria’s rich cultural heritage as a nation of over 200 million people, representing more than 250 ethnic groups.
Ambrose said the acronym BRA NAN WAZOBIA captures languages from Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, and Nigeria, symbolising Cadbury’s multicultural reach across West Africa.
In her welcome address, the Managing Director of Cadbury Nigeria Plc, Mrs. Oyeyimika Adeboye, said the company’s 60-year journey reflects its determination, innovation, and resilience in the face of economic challenges.
Adeboye explained that Cadbury Nigeria’s parent company, Mondelez International, is a global snacking giant with numerous products that are yet to be launched in the Nigerian market.
She added that the WAZOBIA DAY celebration, which began in Nigeria, has been expanded to include colleagues in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire to strengthen unity and collaboration across the region.
Also speaking, the Human Resources Director, Dr. Wole Odubayo, highlighted the company’s emphasis on employee engagement, work-life balance, and well-being through initiatives like BRA NAN WAZOBIA.
On his part, the Manufacturing Director, Mr. Owen Akinwande, commended the dedication and passion of the company’s employees, stressing that their commitment has sustained Cadbury Nigeria’s market strength despite the challenging business environment.
