Business
Wine Fair Brings American Taste To Nigeria
The United States Consul
General, Francis John Bray, and the United States Regional Agricultural Counselor for West Africa, David Wolf, last Wednesday, hosted agribusiness leaders to a large wine tasting event in Lagos.
With the theme: “A Taste of America”, the event provided agribusiness leaders and other friends of America a unique opportunity to experience a wide selection of the finest United States wine brands available in Nigeria.
At the event, Consul General, Francis John Bray introduced the new United States Regional Agricultural Counselor for West Africa, David Wolf to Nigerian agribusiness leaders and stakeholders.
In his welcoming remarks, Mr. Wolf said, “The Foreign Agricultural Service of the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) seeks to address food security challenges in countries they operate in. It mostly supports these challenges by building food and market systems that expand trade and economic development.
“The USDA has trained more than 230 Nigerians in the United States through its Faculty Exchange, Cochran, and Borlaug Fellowship programs in subjects such as food safety, aquaculture, pest management and food processing.”
The USDA’s goal, he added, is to help Nigeria’s agricultural productivity and food distribution, and to bring more Nigerian products up to acceptable standard for the international market.
The program offered members of the U.S.-Nigeria agribusiness community an opportunity to build professional networks, as well as discover new products, ideas, and innovations in the agriculture industry.
Christiana Edem
Business
Kenyan Runners Dominate Berlin Marathons
Kenya made it a clean sweep at the Berlin Marathon with Sabastian Sawe winning the men’s race and Rosemary Wanjiru triumphing in the women’s.
Sawe finished in two hours, two minutes and 16 seconds to make it three wins in his first three marathons.
The 30-year-old, who was victorious at this year’s London Marathon, set a sizzling pace as he left the field behind and ran much of the race surrounded only by his pacesetters.
Japan’s Akasaki Akira came second after a powerful latter half of the race, finishing almost four minutes behind Sawe, while Ethiopia’s Chimdessa Debele followed in third.
“I did my best and I am happy for this performance,” said Sawe.
“I am so happy for this year. I felt well but you cannot change the weather. Next year will be better.”
Sawe had Kelvin Kiptum’s 2023 world record of 2:00:35 in his sights when he reached halfway in 1:00:12, but faded towards the end.
In the women’s race, Wanjiru sped away from the lead pack after 25 kilometers before finishing in 2:21:05.
Ethiopia’s Dera Dida followed three seconds behind Wanjiru, with Azmera Gebru, also of Ethiopia, coming third in 2:21:29.
Wanjiru’s time was 12 minutes slower than compatriot Ruth Chepng’etich’s world record of 2:09:56, which she set in Chicago in 2024.