Social media influencer Reno Omokri has criticised social media critics who called for the boycott of Erisco tomato paste and other products from the producer.
In a statement on X on Saturday, Omokri alleged that the calling for the boycott of Erisco tomato past by certain quarters has led to the boosting of the sales of the producers.
Aggrieved Nigerians had called for the boycott of the tomato paste following the arrest and continuous incarceration of Mrs. Chioma Okoli, a customer of the brand who gave a negative review of the tomato paste.
Okoli was arrested on the orders of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, against court orders.
She was previously arrested and detained in September 2023 over her review of a tomato product manufactured by Erisco Foods Limited.
Amid calls for the boycott of the product, Omokri had urged Nigerians to continue patronising the brand in a bid to grow the Naira.
Arguing that the tomato paste is presently the most dominant tomato paste in the market, the self-acclaimed ”table shaker” mentioned that the calls for the ‘cancelling’ of the company’s tomato paste boosted the brand with unpaid advertisement.
Omokri’s statement reads, ”Six months later, Erisco is now the dominant tomato paste in Nigeria. But where are those people who wanted to cancel him? Can you even remember their names?
”I have never met him or even spoken to him. There is no connection between him and me. My interest in fighting for him was my belief in GrowNairaBuyNaija.
”So I stood by Eric Umeofia when they were harassing him and calling him an uncouth illiterate. But who is laughing now? Did their so-called boycott work? Of course not.
”Instead, it just gave Erisco Foods unpaid advertising that has boosted Eric Umeofia’s brand and increased Erisco’s market share. What they intended for evil for Erisco, God turned around for good.
”May God bless Erisco Foods and Eric Umeofia. May He keep the brand going strong to continue rendering service to Nigeria and Nigerians.”
