The SAAFoST Delegation to Nigeria - 22 October 2006
Attend the 30th Annual Conference and Exhibition of the Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology (NIFST) in Lagos and:
- Deliver a Scientific paper
- Give a presentation on your products or services
- Exhibit your goods and services
- Meet Nigerian businessmen and government officials
- Visit key Nigerian food companies
Invitation from NIFST
The Organizing Committee of the 30th Annual Conference of the Nigerian Institute of Food Science and Technology (NIFST) has issued a formal invitation to SAAFoST members to participate in their conference and exhibition from Monday October 23 to Friday October 27, 2006." Reforms in the Food Industry to Manage Future Challenges in Africa" will be held in The Lagos Sheraton Hotel on 23 and 24 October and will then move to the Ascon Resort in Badagry for the remaining three days, 25th to 27th October.
South Africa Day
The 23rd October has been declared "South Africa Day". A slot has been allocated for a member of the SAAFoST Presidential team to address delegates at the opening ceremony on, "The Food Industry in South Africa - challenges and opportunities". South African companies will have opportunities to present their products and services at the accompanying exhibition.
The Tour Leader and Guide
Larry Umunna, a member of both SAAFoST and NIFST has kindly offered to co-ordinate arrangements for SAAFoST members to visit Nigeria and will accompany a SAAFoST delegation to the country. This delegation will leave for Lagos on Sunday 22nd October, 2006.
Note that the deadline for registration is 31 August and for hotel bookings 15 September. Larry Umunna Contact details:
LHD Africa Development (Pty) Ltd
P.O.Box 827
Randpark Ridge
Johannesburg, South Africa
Tel: +27 11 794 4567
Fax: +27 11 794 2042
Mobile: +27 82 374 0785
Email: larryu@lhdafrica.com
Internet: www.lhdafrica.com
Other Pertinent Information
Larry Umunna has kindly provided the following information
Who will be attending?
Delegates to the conference will include academics and researchers from the country’s universities and research institutes, top executives (management and technical) from the food industry, senior government officials from the various government agencies associated with food science and technology (including NAFDAC), food science and technology students from the various institutions of higher learning (universities and polytechnics), the trade media, etc. The announcement of SAAFoST's participation and the possibility of the South African food industry exhibiting, have resulted in increased interest in the conference. The conference provides a unique networking opportunity for SA academics and researchers to interact with their counterparts from Nigeria. It is also an opportunity for the SA food industry to showcase and present it's products and services to the relevant decision makers in the Nigerian food industry.
Dates: The conference kicks off at 09H00 on Monday October 23, 2006 and ends on Friday October 27, 2006.
Conference Venues: Days 1 and 2 will take place at the Sheraton Hotel and Towers, Ikeja; while days 3, 4 and 5 will be held at the Ascon Conference Center, Badagry.
Flights to Lagos: SAAFoST Delegates are welcome to make their flight reservations directly. Our Travel Consultants: Michelles Exel Travel can also assist. We recommend that the delegation departs Johannesburg on Sunday 22nd October, 2006; and depart Lagos on Friday 27th October evening. For logistic reasons e.g. airport reception in Lagos, transfers to hotels, etc, it will be nice for a SAAFoST party to go as a group. South African Airways flies to Lagos 4 times a week and Virgin Nigeria 3 times. An SAA Economy class return ticket to Lagos costs about R7,000. Virgin Nigeria has a Special Promotion valid till end October 2006 for R3,756 for an economy class return ticket. Virgin flights depart Johannesburg at 09H50 and SAA at 15H00. Flight time to Lagos is approx. 6 hours.
Visas: Visas must be obtained from the Nigerian Consulate in Johannesburg or the High Commission Offices in Pretoria. Visa Fee (as at July, 2006) is R400. Lead time for processing of visas is 3 – 5 days. Our office will be pleased to assist in securing the visa for SAAFoST delegates.
Accommodation: Hotel Accommodation is very expensive in Lagos. The Sheraton will be the most ideal place for the delegates to stay, if they can afford it. We also recommend 2 relatively cheaper hotels that are in close proximity to the Sheraton hotel (venue of the 1st 2 days of the conference).Due to the high demand of hotels in Lagos, there is a strong need to reservations to be confirmed as quickly as possible (by September 15, 2006 latest). For Delegates moving to Ascon Badagry for days 3 – 5 of the conference, it is recommended that you stay in the Ascon Guest houses (rates are much cheaper). LHD Africa (in collaboration with the LOC [local organising committee]) can assist in handling hotel reservation issues. See "First Announcement and Call for Papers" below for a list of hotels recommended by the congress organisers.
Accommodation Rates:
Sheraton Rates
Planet One Rates
House J Rates
Transportation: The LOC [local organising committee] will organize transportation of delegates from the airport to recommended hotels; and from hotels to the conference centers.
Programme: The morning session of day 1 will be used for the opening ceremony. It is customary that conferences of this nature be declared open by either the President of the Country or the Executive Governor (similar to the Premier in SA). One of the highlights of the ceremony will be a SAAFoST presentation. This is a unique opportunity for SAAFoST to share its experiences regarding its role in the Food Industry in SA. It also provides an opportunity to demonstrate the collaboration between 2 great countries in the scientific arena in Africa. The LOC will be inviting the SA High Commissioner to Nigeria to this ceremony.
The afternoon session of Day 1 has been reserved for SA companies to present to the Conference delegates, their companies, products and services. Depending on the number of interested companies, 2 hours have also been set aside in Day 2 for SA companies. These sponsored sessions ( 30 minutes) will cost the company only N15,000.00 (approx. R 750.00). It is indeed a unique opportunity for SA companies to launch themselves into Africa’s most populous country! These slots are also open to researchers who may want to use the opportunity to introduce their projects and identify potential partners in Nigeria.
NIFST has also invited the captains of the Nigerian Food Industry to speak on very topical and vital issues on day 3 of the conference. SAAFoST delegates will benefit from the 2nd plenary session.
Exhibition: Delegates can exhibit their products throughout the conference. Refer to "First Announcement and Call for Papers" below for information on fees and presentations. SAAFoST delegates should please liaise with Larry regarding their interest in the exhibition.
Submission of Abstracts and Papers: Please copy Larry on larryu@lhdafrica.com when submitting your abstracts to the designated officers at NIFST. Refer to "First Announcement and Call for Papers" below for further details.
Registration: see the first announcement document below for a registration form.
First Announcement and Call for Papers by NIFST for info on:
First Announcement - Call for Papers
Payment of Fees: In order to facilitate the smooth payment of fees, SAAFoST delegates should liaise with Larry. By the 15th September 2006, all payments for registration, exhibition, etc must be received by NIFST LOC.
Visits to Companies / Specific Meetings: SAAFoST delegates wishing to utilize the opportunity of their visit to Nigeria to hold other meetings and visit specific companies should please discuss this request with Larry Umunna. In collaboration with the LOC, we can organize these meetings on days 4 and 5 of the week.
Health Warning: Delegates should consult their health centres on preventive steps that may be required before embarking on a journey to Nigeria.
Reports on Nigeria:
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Nigeria Food Processing Ingredients Market 2005: An 18-page Report from the Global Agriculture Information Network (GAIN) of the USDA Foreign Agricultural Service on the This report clearly provides vital information on the Nigerian Food Industry.
Report on Nigeria Food Processing Ingredients Sector
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Spinach
