The second edition of Nigeria’s Eko Chocolate Show scheduled to open Friday 3rd April 2020 has been postponed amidst the global coronavirus pandemic – COVID19.
As of Friday afternoon, the populous West African nation had reported 190 confirmed cases of covid19, 2 deaths, and 20 recoveries.
The figures are quite low compared to those in the United States, Europe, and virus origin China.
However, the Eti-Oni Development Group, organisers of the international chocolate show in Nigeria’s cosmopolitan city, Lagos, says it cannot take chances on the health and safety of it’s cherished participants.
Postponement Notice
A notice of postponement copied to Cocoa Post also cited the widespread closure of borders by several countries as a major hurdle that was going to impede travel arrangements of international participants from across the world.
A director of Eko Chocolate Show, Dr. Dammie Osoba, announced May 28 to June 1, 2020, as the tentative dates for the event, “hoping that the situation would have been put under control” by then.
“We sincerely apologise for the inconvenience this postponement may have caused but it is to ensure the Show is held in a safe and secure environment for the benefit of all”, added Dr. Osoba.
Detail Event Itinerary
According to organisers, until any further communication contrary to the tentative schedule for the Show, the itinerary for the event is expected open on 28th May with the registration of international participants.
The show is then said to kick off with Round 1 of the Eko Chocolate Chef Challenge on Friday 29th May 2020, followed by Chocolate on Coconut on 30 May.
The Festival of Chocolate is slated to open officially on 31 May, the same day for the final round of the Eko Chocolate Chef Challenge.
The event climaxes 1 June with the Africa Cocoa and Chocolate Forum and Nigerian Cocoa
Awards Dinner.
Dr. Osoba concluded, “we are committed to our objectives of creating the cocoa culture that will bridge the gap between production and consumption and look forward to you being part of the biggest show dedicated to chocolate and confectionery in Africa.”