Nigerians have criticized Chief Eric Umeofia, the chairman of Erisco Foods Limited (EFL), for allegedly renaming his tomato paste following the boycott of the product.
Nigerians protesting the continuous incarceration of Mrs. Chioma Okoli collectively boycotted Nagito Tomato Mix, a product of Erisco Foods.
Okoli is being prosecuted over her negative review of Negiko Tomato Paste, a product from the company.
Okoli, who gave a review of the tomato paste brand, was re-arrested on the orders of the Inspector General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, despite court orders.
She was previously arrested and detained in September 2023 over her review of a tomato product manufactured by the company.
Her rearrest and the placing of Okoli under watch by the police infuriated Nigerians, who vowed in their numbers to boycott all products from Erisco Foods Limited (EFL).
Following the boycott of products from the company, Erisco Foods has allegedly rebranded and renamed its tomato paste.
This was revealed on social media with the discovery of a new product named TomaGood, reportedly produced by EFL, an acronym many believe means Erisco Foods Limited.
However, following the alleged rebranding of the company’s tomato paste, Nigerians on X have criticized the company.
In his reaction to the rebranding of the product, David Hundeyin, in a statement on X, states, “As predicted two months ago, following its self-inflicted PR disaster, Erisco Foods Limited, a.k.a. “EFL,” has quietly changed the name of its tomato purée product.
“Imagine how much money and effort could have been saved by listening to actual professional advice.”
Another X user identified as True Tyger, mentioned that “it would have cost him next to nothing to humble himself, apologize to that lady and Nigerians, and move on. But in his arrogance, he chose the hard way. This is very disgraceful.”
Another X user simply identified as Koolman, said, “They want to do everything to get rid of what they have in the stock house. The Erisco chairman should just come out and apologize, compensate, make adjustments, and even use the lady as the ambassador of the product for peace.”
Olufemi Lee argued that “their sales must have been badly affected” by the boycott of the product so much “that they decided to rebrand, thinking people would not know. EFL is most definitely Erisco.”
Reacting to the launch of the new product, Jomo Demola said, “So Erisco folded at the end of the day with all the noise. well-meaning Nigerians and Obi-dients are doing a good job.”
“He has gone to change his clothes after being stained by social media; it’s the same man; no worries, he will be stained again. Nigeria is happening to him too,” Chinney Nedum argues.
Sabina Nkiru argued that “Erisco Foods has finally killed his brand with his own hands.”
