Still on Ogogoro: Angel of death or Goldmine?

While the economic potential of Nigeria’s local, Ogogoro, is undermined, its Russian version, Vodka, is celebrated.  This is in spite of the fact that the two drinks have the same taste.  While Ogogoro drinkers are rated lowly, ridiculed and maligned as the dregs of the society, Vodka, on the other hand, is seen as an elitist drink; it is displayed in supermarkets. Ogogoro on the other hand remained a street drink. This drink like its palm wine counterparts is a complete Nigerian alcohol with different names in different communities; it is called Sapele water, Shepke, Kparaga, Kai-kai, Push-me-I-push-you, Crim-kena, Akpuru achia, amongs.  

Private sector distillers ought to ask their chemical engineers to see how Ogogoro could be refined to the level of the Scottish Whiskey in other to make it competitive in the global markets where different drinks produced by different countries find their niche just like Spain, Italy and their notable wines. The enabling environment given in these countries for the alcohol industries provided the springboard which catapulted these brands into international prominence.

We should also not forget the role their regulatory institutions play. These countries have strong institutions that monitor the food and beverages. Have our regulatory institutions failed us? 

Ogogoro should be a gold mine and not an angel of death. Banning it is a whimsical reaction not a sensible thing to do unless it is a temporary measure that would give the authorities some time to get their acts together. Nigeria must learn how to make it better and safer for public consumption. The nation must brand, package and market the product so that it can earn the needed foreign exchange and contribute to the economic development of the nation thereby creating more jobs for the teeming population of unemployed young Nigerians. What really is the difference between Ogogoro and Schnapps?